You just tried to lose all of those holiday pounds before you found out that you were pregnant. Now you will gain some more. Fortunately, pregnancy weight isn't about being "fat" or "out of shape." Even if you are overweight, you need to gain weight during pregnancy. If you don't gain enough, your baby's health will be in jeopardy.
Defining "Overweight"
Just because you think you look overweight doesn't necessarily mean that you are. Consult medical definitions before you decide that you were overweight or obese before you became pregnant. According to the Mayo Clinic, a woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be of normal weight, a woman with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a woman with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered to be obese. Consult a medical professional to determine your BMI or at least use the BMI calculator provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (see Resources).
The Importance of Weight Gain
The weight you gain during pregnancy is attributed to more than the baby and fat. The baby may weigh seven to eight pounds, the placenta can weigh between one and two pounds, the uterus can weigh two pounds, amniotic fluid weighs around two pounds, breast tissue will weigh around two pounds, the fluids in breast tissue will weigh around four pounds, and any additional fat and nutrient stores can weigh up to seven pounds. If you don't gain enough weight at a steady pace, you will be more likely to develop problems such as hemorrhoids, shortness of breath and indigestion.
Healthy Pounds
If you are overweight or obese, you won't need to gain as much weight as women who are of average weight or women who are underweight. The BabyCenter website says that women who are overweight when they become pregnant should gain between 15 and 25 pounds during pregnancy, and women who are obese when they become pregnant should gain between 11 and 20 pounds during pregnancy. Most women shouldn't see too much weight gain (around three to five pounds) in the first trimester, so much of the weight will be gained at a rate of one to two pounds per week in the second and third trimesters. If you are having twins, you should gain about 31 to 50 pounds if you were overweight before pregnancy and 25 to 42 pounds if you were obese.
Risks
Overweight and obese women who become pregnant are at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. The extra weight may also complicate measuring the uterus and hearing the baby's heartbeat. Finally, they may have extra trouble delivering vaginally if they have a baby that is larger than average sized. Too much weight gain during pregnancy can also cause problems such as gestational diabetes, backaches, leg discomfort, varicose veins, high blood pressure, additional fatigue and increased chances of needing a cesarean section.
Healthy Tips
Monitor your eating habits and get gentle exercise to stay healthy during your pregnancy. Healthy meals include plenty of protein, fiber and healthy (unsaturated) fats and (fiber-rich) carbohydrates. According to BabyCenter, overweight women may need more folic acid than women who are smaller, so they should be sure to take a prenatal vitamin with one milligram of folic acid before and throughout pregnancy. Low-impact exercises such as swimming will also keep your body strong and healthy, but consult your doctor before you begin any new exercise routines.
