Healthy Ways to Gain Weight during Pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy is essential as it indicates a healthy baby growth. Gaining weight at the recommended rate not only ensures the proper development of baby but also lowers the risk of health hazards. Haemorrhoids, varicose veins, backache, stretch marks, indigestion, fatigue and shortness of breath that can be avoided by keeping the weight gain to optimal level. Information on healthy ways to gain weight during pregnancy can help you to avoid both these circumstances.

There are disadvantages in both, gaining weight more than necessary and gaining too little. Pregnant women who become overweight during pregnancy expose themselves to the risk of gestational diabetes and problems in losing weight after pregnancy. On the other hand, not gaining sufficient weight can cause various foetal problems including low birth weight.

Healthy Weight Gain during Pregnancy

• Begin eating healthy before getting pregnant. It should be part of planning pregnancy. It would allow you to make the switch easier. Cut down on sweets, fatty acids, smoking, alcohol and other harmful habits.
• Your increase of daily calorie intake should be around 200 calories. If you have already been having a healthy diet before pregnancy, there is no need to increase the diet too much.
• Include healthy foods in your diet, even for fats. Foods high in protein and good fats for such as peanut butter avocados and nuts should be preferred. Green leafy vegetables are very good for your baby’s development.
• Your weight gain during pregnancy should be gradual. In a healthy pregnancy, a woman gains 3 to 5 pounds in the first trimester and 1 to 2 pounds per week in the second and third trimesters.
• Consult with your doctor on the level of weight gain which is normal. If between 25 to 35 pounds, weight gain during pregnancy is considered ideal. But even that is based on the condition of your body prior to pregnancy. Your health care provider should be able to tell the right weight that you need to maintain during different stages of pregnancy.

You will need to take appropriate medical care for managing your weight when pregnant. The role of your doctor or OB/GYN becomes important under these circumstances. Monitoring your weight and the growth of your baby involves testing for gestational diabetes; ultrasound for measuring the baby’s size and other tests for ensuring the proper growth of baby and health of expecting mother.

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