Pregnancy after gastric bypass: Is it safe?

Date Updated: 06/23/2020

Answer Section

Pregnancy after gastric bypass can be safe and healthy if managed well by you and your health care provider.

Research suggests that weight-loss surgery before pregnancy might lower the risk to women and their babies of obesity-related problems during pregnancy, including:

Gestational diabetes
Blood pressure disorders
Newborns who are large for their gestational ages
Postpartum hemorrhage
Cesarean delivery

However, having weight-loss surgery might also increase the risk of some harmful effects, including:

Infants who are small for their gestational ages
Intrauterine growth restriction
Preterm birth

Experts believe that these negative effects may be related to nutritional deficiencies resulting from weight-loss surgery.

If you have had weight-loss surgery and are considering pregnancy, consult your health care provider for help with planning before conception. Experts typically recommend postponing pregnancy until your weight stabilizes — typically at least 12 to 18 months after surgery. Some experts recommend waiting longer.

Your health care provider might also recommend nutritional deficiency testing before conception to determine your individual need for supplements, as well as monthly tests during pregnancy. You might consult a registered dietitian along with your gastric bypass surgeon for advice on nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy. In addition, your testing for gestational diabetes during pregnancy might be modified.

To monitor your baby's growth, your health care provider might recommend a fetal ultrasound. This might be particularly important if you've had poor weight gain during pregnancy or became pregnant within two years of having surgery.