Pregnancy weight loss: Ensuring safety while shedding pounds
Pregnancy is a time of significant change for a woman's body, and for those who are overweight or obese, managing weight during this period is crucial. Ideally, women should try to lose excess weight before becoming pregnant, but once pregnant, the focus shifts to controlling excessive weight gain rather than weight loss.
A review of six studies concluded that losing weight during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications for the baby. Instead, overweight and obese women should aim to maintain a healthy pregnancy through careful monitoring and lifestyle adjustments.
Research indicates that overweight and obese pregnant women can safely reduce excessive weight gain using dietary and exercise interventions designed specifically for pregnancy, under medical supervision. Key safe methods include consulting healthcare providers early to create a personalized plan, understanding calorie needs, eating small, frequent meals, staying well hydrated, engaging in light to moderate exercise, practising stress management and self-care, and regular weight monitoring with healthcare provider guidance.
Very underweight women may require an increased calorie intake during pregnancy. In the later stages of pregnancy, exercises that involve lying flat on the back should be avoided. A healthful diet and regular physical activity are beneficial for both the pregnant woman and the baby.
A woman's pre-pregnancy BMI can be used to determine how much weight she should expect to gain during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant with twins will gain more weight during pregnancy than those carrying a single baby. Women who are overweight by 60 pounds or more may not need to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy, as the fetus can use their body's fat stores for energy.
Women who experience severe morning sickness may wish to talk to a doctor about how to get enough nutrients, as weight gain will usually occur once a pregnancy reaches the second trimester. Physical activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, and aerobics are recommended during pregnancy, but contact sports and very high altitudes should be avoided.
Doctors do not usually recommend weight loss during pregnancy, but a focus on diet and low-intensity exercise can help reduce the risk of weight-related complications. After pregnancy, a woman may naturally have a lower body weight than before becoming pregnant.
The March of Dimes provides a week-long menu of healthful food choices during pregnancy, and it is recommended that women need an extra 300 calories per day during pregnancy. This equates to 2 glasses of milk or a protein bar and piece of fruit.
In summary, overweight and obese women should focus on managing rather than losing weight during pregnancy through balanced nutrition, appropriate physical activity, hydration, and medical guidance to promote a healthy pregnancy while minimizing risks associated with excessive weight gain. For women who are underweight, an increased calorie intake may be necessary. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to create a personalized plan for a healthy pregnancy.
- A woman's BMI before pregnancy can predict the weight gain during pregnancy, and women carrying twins will gain more weight.
- Healthcare providers recommend a woman needs an extra 300 calories per day during pregnancy, equivalent to two glasses of milk or a protein bar and a piece of fruit.
- A focus on diet and low-intensity exercise can help reduce the risk of weight-related complications during pregnancy, but doctors generally do not recommend weight loss.
- Severely underweight women may require an increased calorie intake during pregnancy, but in later stages, exercises that involve lying flat on the back should be avoided.
- During pregnancy, physical activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, and aerobics are recommended, but contact sports and activities at high altitudes should be avoided.
- Women who experience severe morning sickness may need to discuss with their doctor ways to get enough nutrients, as weight gain usually occurs once the pregnancy enters the second trimester.
- It is important for overweight and obese pregnant women to maintain a healthy pregnancy through careful monitoring and lifestyle adjustments designed for pregnancy, under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
