For most women, losing weight during pregnancy is not a problem. It's usually tougher to avoid piling on excess pounds while you're "eating for two." But serious hazards may threaten your baby if you don't gain enough weight -- or if you try to drop pounds during this time. A healthy diet during pregnancy, including adequate weight gain, can help ensure that you have a healthy baby.
Variety of Nutrients
A major risk from weight loss during pregnancy is that you won't take in all the nutrients your baby needs to grow. While your doctor may prescribe prenatal vitamins to provide essential nutrients --- including folate, which guards against certain birth defects --- you also need a nutrient-rich diet with a variety of healthy foods. According to MayoClinic.com, that means foods with fortified and whole grains; proteins including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and beans; and dairy products. Also, drinking plenty of fluids may help you avoid some pregnancy hazards and carry your baby to term.
Preterm Birth Dangers
Losing weight during pregnancy raises your risk for premature birth, exposing your baby to many serious health hazards. The March of Dimes explains that pregnancies lasting 37 to 42 weeks are considered full-term, 40 weeks being the norm. Small, premature babies born prematurely are at risk for problems ranging from breathing difficulties to death. Even when they survive, they are more likely to have learning and behavioral problems, retardation, lung weakness, cerebral palsy, vision and hearing handicaps.
Hazards of 'Pregorexia'
Though it's not common, a condition tagged as pregorexia can threaten an unborn baby's healthy development. A woman with pregorexia obsesses about not gaining weight during pregnancy and tries to counter it with radical dieting and exercising --- perhaps skipping meals or even trying to deny that she is expecting. You might be at increased risk for developing pregorexia if you've struggled with an eating disorder. MayoClinic.com suggests that it might be helpful to consult a dietician to help you plan a pregnancy diet to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
Pregnancy Weight Guidelines
While you shouldn't lose weight during pregnancy, that doesn't mean you need to gain 60 pounds --- weight that may be hard to lose later. Your doctor can help you set goals to gain enough weight to ensure healthy growth for your baby and help you avoid complications, such as high blood pressure. According to the National Institutes of Health, even obese women usually should gain at least 15 pounds during pregnancy. Underweight women should add 28 to 40 pounds, normal weight women 25 to 35 pounds and overweight women 15 to 25 pounds.
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