| Besides the obvious concerns any mother has about | | | | Pregnancy is not the time for that type of action - |
| whether their baby will arrive safely and be healthy, the | | | | your baby is the priority now and your own weight |
| number one concern of most prospective mothers is | | | | issues will have to be dealt with post pregnancy. As |
| how they will lose the weight they have gained while | | | | mentioned earlier, pregnancy is also not a reason to |
| pregnant. Some women even believe their bodies will | | | | totally give up on yourself and binge eat, blaming |
| never return to the way they were before they | | | | cravings for the excesses. |
| became pregnant. There is one key thing that many | | | | In summary, weight gain during pregnancy will occur, |
| women overlook on this subject though - what you do | | | | but it can be managed. If you are underweight before |
| while pregnant, is as important to controlling your | | | | pregnancy, you may put on more weight than a |
| weight, as what you do after birth to lose that weight. | | | | normal weight woman, so your baby receives enough |
| Weight gain during pregnancy will happen and there is | | | | nourishment to have a healthy birth weight. On the flip |
| nothing you can do about it. The little person growing | | | | side, if you are overweight before pregnancy, you |
| inside you and the fluid you will retain due to this, will | | | | may put on less weight than a normal weight person |
| account for at least 5-8kg by the time of birth. Your | | | | to ensure you manage your own health. Overweight |
| appetite will also increase naturally as your body takes | | | | mothers can have elevated blood sugar levels and |
| in enough food to not only fuel itself, but feed the baby. | | | | hypertension (high blood pressure). |
| This is not an excuse to stuff yourself with anything | | | | Recommendations exist for healthy weight gain during |
| you like. The rules around a healthy balanced diet do | | | | pregnancy and are based on your weight before |
| not change just because you are pregnant. | | | | pregnancy. Weight gain in women during pregnancy |
| Your baby needs to be fed with nourishing foods. As | | | | can be anywhere between 8-20kg, with the average |
| a rule, you should not feel hungry much during your | | | | being 10-13kg. However, it is different for every |
| pregnancy. Studies show that minimal weight gain in | | | | woman and can be influenced by race, lifestyle and |
| the mother during pregnancy can result in a low | | | | medical conditions. Below are the average gains you |
| birth-weight for the child. Low birth-weight infants have | | | | should aim for based on your body type and BMI: |
| a greater risk of delayed development, disease and | | | | Body Type - Average Weight Gain |
| mortality during the first few months of life. | | | | Underweight (BMI under 19.8) - 15kgs |
| However, the opposite is also dangerous. Some | | | | Normal weight (BMI 19.8 - 26.0) - 13kgs |
| overweight women decide to diet during pregnancy | | | | Overweight (BMI 26.0 - 29.0) - 10kgs |
| out of fear their weight will totally spiral out of control. | | | | Obese (BMI over 29. |