Pregnancy Diet
Probably the thing that will worry you most during your pregnancy is whether you are eating right, maintaining the correct pregnancy diet. After all, whatever you eat is also going to help your baby develop healthily. That’s why a lot of thought must go into nutrition during pregnancy to maintain the correct pregnancy weight at each pregnancy stage. Mainly, you have to follow much the same healthy diet you normally would – lots of fruits, vegetables and grains, proteins – except that you have to pay special attention to certain nutrients.
One of the vital nutrients required in your pregnancy diet is folic acid as it is crucial for your baby, preventing serious abnormalities of the brain and spine. Not getting enough folic acid could result in the risk of preterm delivery, inadequate growth of the fetus and low birth weight. Now, we don’t want that, do we? Read on to find out how much folic acid you need and good sources of this vitamin B. Another major nutrient you need to include in your pregnancy nutrition is Calcium – for strong bones and teeth, both for you and your baby. Calcium helps build a healthy circulatory, nervous and muscular system. Other ingredients you must ensure taking are Protein, Iron and other vitamins. Your doctor will advise you on what supplements you need to take for your specific case.
Also ensure that you are aware of what foods to avoid when pregnant. You have got to be cautious about your pregnancy weight. While pregnancy weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, make sure you are putting on the correct amount of weight to help your baby develop healthily. And let’s face it, as long as you only put on the right amount of weight, you can lose it that much easier after delivery!
Most doctors emphasize on getting enough calories through your pregnancy diet – which is why even if you are overweight, you’ve got to have pregnancy weight gain; if not, your own body fat will be used to support the pregnancy. Your body produces ketones and if this happens, it is harmful for your baby. And that’s not advisable. On the other hand, putting on more pregnancy weight than you should is also risky, especially if you don’t lose it in at least six months after delivery – as you will be at high-risk for obesity later. If you are underweight, make sure you gain enough weight, especially during the second and third trimesters, because you don’t want your baby to be born pre term or smaller than it should.
All said, just bear in mind that a balance diet = healthy pregnancy!
Pregnancy weight needs careful attention as it influences the health of the mother as well as that of the child. It is a proven fact that the weight of a woman has a significant impact on her chances to get pregnant. Underweight as well as overweight women have fewer chances for pregnancy as the fertility of a woman is influenced by her weight.
Underweight women run the risk of delivering smaller babies as well as pre-term babies. Low birth weight babies have a higher rate of mortality than normal babies. These babies have a higher chance for developmental disorders and suffer ill health frequently. Overweight women run the risk of developing complications such as diabetes, hypertension, hemorrhage, difficult labor, varicose veins, backache, extreme tiredness, and have an increased chance for neural tube defect in the fetus.
Weight And Pregnancy
Pregnancy planning stage will be the ideal time to get yourself in shape ensuring that you are neither too thin nor obese. A woman with normal weight has better chances for conception as well as developing healthy babies. Losing weight during pregnancy may be harmful for the baby, so ensure that with the right diet and exercise you have the right weight for your height during pre pregnancy phase.
Different Weights to Put On During Pregnancy
Pregnancy weight is something that many women are worried about. It is normal for a woman [body mass index between 20 and 27] to gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy. The average woman gains around 4 to 6 pounds during the first trimester and then around a pound each week. If a woman gains more than 5 pounds in a week it is necessary to consult your physician immediately as it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Similarly no weight gain over a period of 2 weeks or more during the second and third trimester needs to be monitored. Under weight women whose body mass index is below 20, may gain between 28 and 40 pounds. If the woman is overweight with a body mass index above 27 she can gain between 15 and 25 pounds. If you are obese with a body mass index more than 29 you may gain 15 pounds during pregnancy. A normal weight woman may gain 35 to 45 pounds in the case of twin pregnancy. Pregnancy weight gain is a healthy process that you need not worry about, as with proper exercise and adhering to a nutritious diet you may lose it in no time after delivery.
The baby usually weighs around 7 to 7.5 pounds; amniotic fluid makes up 2 pounds, as does the placenta, 4 pounds of fluids, 2 pounds of extra breast tissue, uterine tissue and blood, and about 7 pounds of fat. Thus you may start losing within the first few weeks after delivery and if you do regular exercise and breastfeed your child it may get easier to manage your pregnancy weight and get back your normal weight.
Meals to Control Your Weight Gain
It is therefore important to eat nutritious and balanced meals that help to maintain your weight gain during pregnancy. Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, foods rich in iron, folic acid, calcium, vitamin b etc. Doctors usually recommend supplements of folic acid and multi-vitamins to ensure the healthy development of the baby. Do not eat junk food catering to your taste but choose foods wisely, foods that are nourishing and satisfying. Be sure to watch out for the list of foods that you have to avoid such as undercooked meat and eggs, soft cheese, raw fish etc.
The rate at which women gain their pregnancy weight varies among different women, so do not worry unless it is extreme, either too much too soon or too less for a longer period of time. Visit the physician regularly and monitor your pregnancy weight as well as health.
