According to experts, maternity services for obese women are not sufficient and might be putting would-be mothers at risk.

The Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries, an independent research group, said that units were short of basic gear like extra-wide operating tables and beds.

A poll of UK services also revealed that obese pregnant women were not receiving the right counsel and assessments.

The Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries, which is partially sponsored by the NHS, said that it has partnered with doctors to issue new procedures to the NHS on treating obese mothers-to-be.

Topics like what assessments, support and guidance should be given to the women will be covered.

It is believed that obese mothers-to-be are at greater risk of a broad range of complications, like stillbirths, diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

There is also likelihood that they require caesareans and should thus have evaluation during pregnancy to see what extraordinary arrangements might have to be put in place.

According to the survey, that collected data from 320 maternity units and a range of other midwife and obstetric services, only half of these places provided these assessments always.

Lead researcher Dr. Jo Modder said that the existing standard of services could "potentially be putting women at risk".

"Obesity has gone up so fast that services are struggling to keep up. I think services could be improved to provide more appropriate care", she added.