Wellbeing of Women

2007 Grants

Early pregnancy metabolic and inflammatory changes and their relationship to successful pregnancy. Dr Dilys Freeman, Dr Scott Nelson, Professor Naveed Sattar, Dr Helen Lyall and Dr Rob Nibbs, University of Glasgow £100,183 over 2 years

LAY TITLE: The mother’s early response to pregnancy

During the later weeks of pregnancy the mother’s fat and carbohydrate metabolism are altered to provide nourishment for the developing fetus and the immune response adapts to cope with the fetus’ presence. These normal responses are exaggerated in mothers who are obese which can lead to poor pregnancy outcome.

This study will be looking at metabolic changes in the early weeks of pregnancy, the influence of maternal weight on these changes and whether the way in which a mother’s metabolism adapts to pregnancy affects the outcome.

Information generated from this study will help doctors understand how obesity might influence the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome and suggest improvements to the clinical management of these women.

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