Babies are much more likely to be born prematurely if the mothers are obese. There is also an increased risk in early births among overweight women.

Babies are much more likely to be born prematurely if the mothers are obese. There is also an increased risk in early births among women who are classified as overweight.

These are the findings of an extensive study undertaken by US and Swedish scientists.

The results were reached by examining the birthing data of over one and a half million women.

To gauge which weight group the mothers were in their body mass index counts were used.

Women who were in the 18.5 to 24.9 range were classified as normal. Those between 25 and 29.9 were deemed overweight, and individuals with a body mass index of 30 and greater fell into the obese category.

Scientists found that being overweight increased a mother’s chances of giving birth early by 25 percent.

Once women entered the obese category not only did the risk of delivering to soon jump to 60 percent, the threat of having an extremely premature baby also rose significantly.

Pregnancy isn’t considered the time to be dieting, though. Some doctors say that they instead encourage overweight and obese expectant moms to gain less weight while carrying.