London, Nov 13 A hospital in the UK has banned fat women from giving birth at its maternity ward.

Mums-to-be who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 34 will be turned away from Weston General Hospital, Somerset, reports the Daily Express.

Instead patients will have to travel 20 miles to the nearest full-facilitated maternity unit at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol.

Weston General Hospital trust argues that its midwife-led maternity unit caters only for low-risk pregnancies, as it does not employ consultants.

Obese women are at greater risk of complications including potentially fatal pre-eclampsia and haemorrhages or needing forceps or caesarian delivery.

However, the move by the hospital has provoked claims that larger women are being unfairly treated. (ANI)