As the general population continues to gain weight and struggle with obesity, more pregnant women are finding themselves already overweight and facing the recommended 25-lb. weight gain during pregnancy. Stressed about how to lose that weight after the delivery of the baby, you may be tempted to use this time to reduce calories by just a little and lose the weight without too much effort. However, under most circumstances weight loss during pregnancy can lead to challenges for both the mother and child as the pregnancy progresses.
Weight During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body is developing another human being. The idea that you are what you eat now pertains to your child as well. According to KidsHealth, not only do you need to increase calories by 300 each day, but you also need to consider what you are eating. Include nutritious proteins, fats, fruits and vegetables to deliver quality nutrition to your child. Your total weight gain can be attributed to your baby who weighs approximately 7 lbs.; the placenta, amniotic fluid and uterus,which weigh 5.5 lbs.; added blood volume to support the pregnancy weighs 3 lbs.; and additional fat to supply the body with necessary nutrition for breastfeeding weighs 9 lbs. You may also retain up to 4 lbs. of water that will be eliminated after the birth.
Benefits
Obstetricians usually recommend that women do not use the nine months of pregnancy to lose weight or start an exercise program. In recommendations last evaluated in December 2009, BabyCenter continued to state that weight loss, even for obese pregnant women, is potentially hazardous to the health of the mother and the child. However, in a study released from St. Louis University, researchers found that most obese women could safely exercise and diet during pregnancy. Lead researcher Dr. Artal is an internationally recognized expert and the lead author of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists current guidelines on exercise for pregnant women. His findings suggested that babies who were born to obese women who either lost or maintained their weight during pregnancy were more likely to be of normal size and delivered vaginally. Mothers also had reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related health issues.
Challenges
During pregnancy your physiology changes, resulting in blood sugar drops between meals. Pediatrician Jennifer Shu at BabyCenter states that faced with reduced blood sugar levels and constant hunger, you are more apt to struggle with weight loss during pregnancy, especially if your body is within normal body mass index limits pre-pregnancy.
Warnings
While there are benefits to women who fall into the pre-pregnant obese category, those who have a normal body mass index should maintain the recommended weight gain of 25 to 35 lbs. to reduce the risk of health issues in themselves and their baby. Pediatrician Jennifer Shu states that mothers risk health issues when their developing baby takes the nutrition they need from their body and they do not have enough to support your their cellular health.
References
- KidsHealth: Eating During Pregnancy
- March of Dimes; Weight gain during pregnancy; September 2009
- BabyCenter; Plus-size and pregnant: How to manage your weight during pregnancy; December 2009
- St. Louis University; It's Safe for Obese Moms-to-Be to Lose Weight During Pregnancy; Nancy Solomon; 2007
- BabyCenter: Is it safe to diet during pregnancy?
