The right weight gain during pregnancy
Weight gain is an inevitable part of pregnancy. While it is not very obvious for some women, for others, pregnancy weight can be very pronounced. There is a constant worry amongst all pregnant women on the right amount of weight that is to be gained during pregnancy. After all too much of weight could also mean trouble for the mother as well as for the baby. The second worry is losing all the weight that one gains during a pregnancy.
The first thing you should know is the average amount of weight gain that is involved in a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy. The weight gain is distributed in a number of areas. To start with, as your pregnancy progresses your uterus grows additional muscle to accommodate the growing baby. This accounts for approximately two pounds. Your breasts will grow in anticipation of breastfeeding and will gain around half a pound. Blood volume takes on an additional 1000gms and the fluids in your body too will increase. You put on fat weighing approximately five pounds to prepare you for motherhood. And finally in your last trimester your fully grown baby will be an average of six pounds.
The first thing you should know that a steady weight gain is a positive sign of good health for you and for your baby. Each woman is different and therefore the amount of weight gained is also different. Your doctor will keep a steady watch on your weight gain. Too less of weight could mean something is wrong. Too much of weight could lead to complications such as gestational diabetes and pre-ecclampsia. Gaining around 4 pounds in the first trimester is considered normal. In the second, an average is 14 pounds and in the third trimester weight gain is around 10 pounds.
If you have had a high BMI before you got pregnant, then doctors will advise you to work at not gaining an excessive amount of weight. This however does not mean that you go on a diet. Get the advice of a nutritionist on the right kind of food intake and the quantities and calories that you should look at. When you eat during your pregnancy, do not go by the idea that you are eating for two. While you will need an additional calorie intake, it is not a massive one. Discretion in eating is advised.Underweight women should refrain from getting pregnant until they have managed to gain the right amount of weight. This is in the best interests of your child’s health.
