You find out that you are going to be a new mom in 9 months. You are
so excited and are looking forward to enjoying every minute of your
pregnancy. The thought of waiting patiently, then finally getting to
hold your little bundle of joy fills your heart with happiness. Nothing
can interrupt this wonderful feeling. Then it hits you like a ton of
bricks...pregnancy weight gain.
Gaining weight during pregnancy is
something most women fear. Having a "baby bump" is not the issue, it is
the extra weight that is gained throughout the whole 9 months. Why has
this fear become so prevalent within our society? Only two little words
are needed to answer this question, the media.
The media has
portrayed women as having to be extremely thin, even during pregnancy.
There is such a craze about weight loss and women seem to feel they
never measure up to society's standards. The fear of becoming obese
during (and after) delivery has plagued the minds of women nationwide.
The
problem with this is that not only will weight loss, especially via fad
and crash diets, will have a negative effect on the woman but on the
unborn baby as well. Everything a mother eats, drinks, or ingests will
have either a positive or devastatingly and potentially fatal effect on
the baby. Going on a diet or strictly regulating food intake to insure
minimum weight gain can cause the unborn baby to have numerous health
issues such as: malformation, thickening of arterial walls, brain
damage, premature birth, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, be more
susceptible to autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid
arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and may other health issues in
utero and after birth.
The mom-to-be will also suffer health issues by losing weight during pregnancy.
To
avoid any problems with you or your unborn baby, eat healthy foods and
limit the amount of empty or high calorie foods that contain a lot of
sugar or salt. It is equally important to stay away from alcohol,
smoking, caffeinated drinks, and drugs. If you go out to eat choose
healthy foods. If you are not sure what foods are better for you ask for
a nutritional guide.
Despite the old wives tale that you are
"eating for two", you are actually providing necessary nutrients "for
two". You only need 100 to 300 calories more than a normal healthy diet
for someone your age/weight. You should also have healthy and nutrient
rich snacks on hand. It is recommended to eat 5 to 6 small meals a day.
This will prevent overeating and, for most, prevents or lessens
heartburn during pregnancy.
Why do I need to gain weight during pregnancy?
There
are several reasons why proper weight gain during pregnancy is critical
to your baby's growth and development, as well as your own well being.
The number one reason for healthy weight gain during pregnancy is that
your baby has specific nutritional needs at every phase of his/her
development. This includes the stage before you know you are even
pregnant. There are certain developments that can only take place at a
specific time. Certain nutrients are required for these specific
developments, which is why a healthy diet plus healthy weight gain is
paramount for your baby to obtain optimal developmental results. Once
that stage passes, it is gone and can not be "made up" in later stages.
By
staying on a path of healthy weight gain also insures that the you are
physically well enough to carry your baby throughout her pregnancy.
Loosing weight and not eating a healthy diet can cause the you to become
severely anemic and there is a possibility of a miscarriage especially
in the first trimester. If you stay anemic during the entire pregnancy,
you may have a problem with her red blood cells reproducing after
delivery which can lead to health risks or, in very severe cases, can
lead to death.
Whether you are underweight or overweight, it is
recommended that you gain weight. The average weight gain is around
25-35 pounds. If you are underweight, it is suggested that you should
gain around 28-40 pounds, and if you are overweight you should gain
around 15-25 pounds. If you are expecting twins you should gain 35-40
pounds. No matter what category you fall in, it is imperative that you
get prenatal care as soon as possible. Your OB/GYN will tell you how
much weight you need to gain and how to obtain that goal in a healthy
way.
How do I keep us both healthy during my pregnancy?
First,
find an OB/GYN that you are comfortable with. He/she will tell you
where you are in the "weight category". They will develop a nutritional
plan for you and what/how often you need to eat. This will ensure the
best possible start in life for your baby before and after he/she is
born. It will also help you get in the habit of eating healthy and
regularly throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
Second, you and
your doctor will also develop an exercise regime that will help keep you
at a healthy weight. Exercising regularly will.
