Dr. Ambrish Mithal says that the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy lies in the fact that it decreases the risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy and childbirth complications. Obese women have greater chances of developing gestational diabetes that may result in severe complications in the baby. The baby of a mother, who had gestational diabetes at the time of pregnancy, also possesses the risk of developing diabetes. Poorly nourished mothers also run risk of pregnancy and childbirth complications. Therefore, all pregnant women require optimum nourishment. Pregnancy nutrition ensures proper development of the foetus, minimal miscarriage risk, and fewer possibilities of childbirth complications and prevents gestational diabetes. With optimum nutrition, pregnant women must also indulge in prenatal exercises and drink a lot of water.