For many women, pregnancy brings along with it an increased appetite and food cravings that are hard to ignore. While weight gain is certainly encouraged and recommended during pregnancy, there can be too much of a good thing. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can lead to health issues and other complications.
Caloric Requirement
Pregnancy is often viewed as a free-for-all where food is concerned. After all, many believe the woman is now eating for two. However, a single pregnancy only requires an additional 300 calories per day. The increase in calories is not necessary until the second and third trimesters. A normal diet can be maintained throughout the first trimester unless otherwise advised by the physician. For a pregnancy with multiples, additional calories may be needed to result in a healthy weight gain in pregnancy.
Healthy Weight Gain
The American Pregnancy Association has guidelines established for normal weight gain during pregnancy. For those who are normal weight before becoming pregnant, pregnancy weight increase should be 25 to 37 pounds. If the woman is underweight, weight gain of 28 to 40 pounds is recommended. If the woman is overweight, weight gain of 15 to 25 pounds is recommended. Depending on the woman’s overall health, the physician may recommend different guidelines.
Healthy Diet
It is important to the health of the pregnant woman as well as the baby to maintain a balanced diet during pregnancy. Food from each of the food groups should be eaten during pregnancy with particular attention to fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. Staying hydrated during pregnancy is equally important as dehydration can lead to preterm labor.
Exercise
Pregnant women should maintain an exercise regimen throughout the pregnancy. If the woman was in good shape before the pregnancy, she can generally continue her same exercise routine as long as it does not include activities that could cause a fall, such as skating or skiing. After the first trimester, all women should avoid any exercise that involves lying on the back as the pressure could cut off the blood supply of a major artery in the back. If the woman was not active before pregnancy, she should check with the doctor before beginning an exercise program. Generally, walking is a great exercise throughout the pregnancy for any woman regardless of fitness level.
A focus on a healthy weight gain in pregnancy can help to prevent complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Losing the pregnancy weight after delivery is easier for those who have gained the appropriate amount of weight during the pregnancy. Those who follow these guidelines for healthy weight gain will often find that they have lost most of their pregnancy weight within a few weeks of delivery.
Source: American Pregnancy Association
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