In 2007, one in three pregnant women suffered from obesity and half of all women of child-bearing age have a body mass index that classifies them as overweight, according to the Baby Center. A plus-sized pregnancy can increase your risk of complications to both you and your baby. You can control these risks by learning about proper weight gain and diet during a plus-sized pregnancy.
Weight Loss and Pregnancy
Do not try to lose weight during pregnancy. When you restrict the amount of food your consume, you may place yourself and your developing baby in danger, advises Dr. Abaz Sosic, an obstetrician in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Focus on eating a healthy and nutrient-rich diet. This type of diet will limit the amount of weight you gain during your pregnancy and may prevent pregnancy complications from developing.
Weight Gain
Overweight and obese women may safely gain weight during pregnancy, but weight gain needs to be monitored closely. An overweight woman should not gain more than 15 to 25 lbs. throughout her pregnancy, according to Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Obese women should limit their weight gain to 11 to 20 lbs. A weight gain of more than these values increases the chances of pregnancy complications and often results from consuming a diet full of excess fats and sugars.
Caloric Needs
A pregnant woman needs to consume about 300 calories more than a non-pregnant woman of the same age, explains Sosic. A non-pregnant woman between the ages of 19 and 30 requires between 2,000 and 2,400 calories each day depending on her activity level, while a non-pregnant woman between the ages of 30 and 50 needs between 1,800 and 2,200 calories each day depending on her activity level, according to the American Heart Association. The more active you are the more calories you need.
Food Choices
Your food choices have a large impact on the quality of the calories you consume each day. Focus on eating a wide variety of wholesome and nutritious foods, such as raw fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grains, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends. Throughout the day, plan to consume four to five servings of vegetables, three to four servings of fruit, three servings of milk or dairy products, three servings of protein-rich foods and only a limited amount of oils or added sugars. This diet will provide you and your baby with plenty of protein, calcium, iron and folic acid to allow for healthy development. This diet also limits your intake of extra calories that can add to excessive weight gain.
Fluid Intake
Fluid consumption keeps you hydrated and helps support your baby's development. Without enough fluid intake, you may suffer from hemorrhoids, constipation, swelling and infections, according to the National Women's Health Information Center. Dehydration may even result in premature labor and delivery. To protect against these risks, plan to consume about 10 cups of fluid each day. Fluids include water, coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. However, a plus-sized pregnant woman should focus on drinking water to avoid the extra calories in many flavored drinks.
References
- Baby Center: Having a Positive Plus-Size Pregnancy
- Dr. Abaz Sosic: Bradford Regional Medical Center; Bradford, Pennsylvania
- Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Eat Right During Pregnancy
- National Women's Health Information Center: Healthy Pregnancy
- Amrican Heart Association: Know How Many Calories You Should Eat
