Eating for two when over or under weight

Weight gain during pregnancy helps your baby grow. Gaining weight at a steady rate within the recommended limits can also reduce the risk of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, stretch marks, back pain, fatigue, indigestion, and shortness of breath during pregnancy.

Why is it important to gain weight during pregnancy?

Eating for two is very important. The extra weight you gain during pregnancy provides nutrition for your developing baby and is also saved for breastfeeding your baby after delivery.

Food for two: Where does the extra weight go?

Here is a rough breakdown of your weight gain:

Baby: 3-3,5 kg
Placenta: 0,5-1 kg
Amniotic fluid: 1 kg
Uterus: 1 kg
Maternal breast tissue: 1 kg
Maternal blood: 2 kg
Fluids in maternal tissue: 2 kg
Maternal fat and nutrient stores: 3 kg

How much total weight should I gain?

How much weight you should gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index.

You must win:

11-16 kg, if you were at a healthy weight before pregnancy, with a body mass index of 18.5-24.9.
13-18 kg if you were underweight before pregnancy with a body mass index below 18.5.
7-11 kg, if before pregnancy you were overweight with a body mass index of 25-29.9.
5-9 kg if before pregnancy you were obese with a body mass index above 30.

How fast should I gain weight during pregnancy?

How much you should take depends on your pre-pregnancy weight and how far along you are during your pregnancy. For the average woman who starts her pregnancy at a normal weight, weight gain will look like this.

If you're starting a pregnancy with or without weight, you'll need to talk to your doctor about what your rate of weight gain should look like.

0.5-2 kg in the first trimester
About 0.5-1kg per week in the second trimester
About 0.5-1kg per week in the third trimester

Healthy pre-pregnancy weight

Throughout pregnancy, the goal is to keep weight gain as stable as possible because your baby needs daily nutrients from what you eat.

It's normal if your weight gain fluctuates a little from week to week. However, you should contact your doctor if you suddenly gain or lose weight, especially during the third trimester. This may be a sign of some complications.

What if I am carrying twins?

If you are pregnant with twins, your doctor should monitor your weight gain. Weight gain should increase significantly, but not double. If you had a normal weight and body mass index before pregnancy, your weight gain should be about 17-25 kg. Overweight women tend to gain 14 to 25 kg of weight.

Women who start their pregnancy overweight should aim to gain 25-40 pounds. Of course, all of this can be changed on the advice of your doctor and in your particular situation.

Does being underweight pose any risks to me or my baby?

Morning sickness makes it difficult for many women to gain weight in the first trimester and worry about how it will affect their child's development. Some women lose some weight early in pregnancy. Fortunately, at this stage, the baby does not need as many calories and nutrients as later in pregnancy.

It is important to gain weight at a constant rate throughout your pregnancy. If a woman does not gain weight throughout her pregnancy, complications such as low birth weight or premature birth may occur. Babies born to mothers who gain no more than 9 kg are often considered small for gestational age, meaning they may have been malnourished during pregnancy.

Healthy eating during pregnancy

A sensible nutritional plan rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for a developing child. You can ask your doctor for nutritional advice or seek help from a nutritionist in your area. Women who are underweight during pregnancy tend to eat foods that are low in calories and protein.

Here are ways to get more calories:

Eat breakfast every day. Peanut butter or a slice of cheese on toast can give you an extra boost of protein.
Snacks between meals; yogurt and dried fruits can provide you with protein, calcium and minerals.
Try to eat more foods that are high in healthy fats, such as nuts, oily fish, avocados, and olive oil.
Drink real fruit juices that are high in vitamin C or beta-carotene, such as grapefruit juice, orange juice, papaya nectar, apricot nectar, and carrot juice.
Avoid junk food.
Talk to your doctor about taking prenatal vitamins and any additional supplements.

Can being overweight be harmful?

Here are possible problems with excessive weight gain:

Gestational diabetes
Backaches
Leg pain
Increased fatigue
Varicose veins
Increased risk of cesareandelivery
High blood pressure

How does obesity affect my pregnancy?

Many overweight women have healthy pregnancies and give birth without complications. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of being overweight.

Pregnant women struggling with obesity may have:

An increased risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
Difficulty listening to the heartbeat and measuring the size of the uterus
Difficulty in vaginal delivery if the fetus is much larger than average

Fortunately, proper medical care and personal care can reduce the risk of these complications. Your doctor may suggest other tests during pregnancy. These may include an ultrasound to measure your baby's growth, a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes, and other diagnostic tests later in pregnancy to monitor your baby's development.

The following self-care tips will help make pregnancy healthy for you and your baby:

Avoid pregnancy risks such as alcohol and smoking.
Try not to gain too much weight; your doctor will tell you the recommended weight gain.
Be selective in your choice of food; Choose food sources that contain vitamins, minerals, and protein.