Weight gain in pregnancy
Weight gain during pregnancy has a specific pattern which is considered to be normal. The weight gain experienced during pregnancy can be associated with the development of the fetus, nutrition of the mother, exercise and activity of the mother or even some medical conditions
How much weight you should gain in pregnancy depends on how much you weighed before you conceived. According to Dr Spock’s Pregnancy Guide, ideally you should have a weight gain of 7 to 10 pounds in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. As you progress in to the later half of your second trimester and the third trimester, your doctor would recommend you to gain weight by an additional half to one pound every week.
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[edit] Fetal development
During pregnancy, the fetus grows on a weekly basis and develops some organs and which eventually lead to mothers gaining weight. During the first trimester of pregnancy, weight gain is not that significant since the fetus is just developing some tissues and nerves which can sum up to a total of 1 pound per month.
It is only during the second trimester that the weight of the mother has significant change. During the 2nd trimester, the fetus develops most of its functional organs doubles its weight because of the need for nutrients that will help in the fetal development. Pregnant mothers usually have a weight gain of more or less 1 pound per week making it a total of 10-12 pound increase during the second trimester.
Weight gain of 1 pound per week can progress up to the third trimester because this period is when most of the fetus' organs fully mature and become functional.
Fetal development can cause as much as 25-27 pounds of weight gain through out pregnancy.
[edit] Mother's nutrition
Weigh gain is also influenced by the mother's nutrition and what foods to eat while pregnant. Doctors often suggest mothers to avoid foods rich in carbohydrates and increase the intake of protein rich food which will be needed by the developing fetus. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates can lead to having a large baby which would be difficult for a mother during delivery. Consumption of fatty foods should also be monitored due to the possible complication it can bring to the mother such a hypertension, excessive bleeding and heart problems during labor and delivery.
Mothers are also encouraged to avoid salty foods which can cause fluid retention and later on lead to a hypertension crisis and venous stasis. Supplemental vitamins are also given like iron and folic acid to ensure that the mother would have enough hemoglobin during the delivery and prevent neural tube defects on the baby.
[edit] Mother's activity and exercise
Exercise plays a major role in the weight gain during pregnancy. It does not only keep the body in shape but also helps metabolize the food that have been consumed. Some mothers believe that exercise is not good for them since they are pregnant and can lead to possible abortion. There are certain exercises that can still be done even during pregnancy and some of them are even designed to help shorten the length of labor or facilitate the delivery of the baby.
[edit] Medical conditions affecting weight gain in pregnancy
Some medical conditions affect the weight gain during pregnancy. One of them is diabetes which contributes also to having a macrosomic baby or a baby weighing more than 6.5-8.5 pounds. Another condition that could possibly induce weight gain is hypothyroidism which results from lack of T4 in the body which causes a delay in the metabolism leading to excessive weight gain.
[edit] What usually makes up the weight gain?
If you are wondering if those extra pounds add only to your baby during weight gain in pregnancy, here is a quick breakdown:
- Baby: 7.5 pounds
- Placenta: 1.5 pounds
- Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
- Blood volume: 4 pounds
- Body fluids: 4 pounds
- Uterus: 2 pounds
- Breasts: 2 pound
- Fat and protein storage: 7 pounds
Total of 30 pounds
[edit] Expected weight gain per trimester
- First trimester: 1-2 pound per month total of 3-6 pounds for the first trimester
- Second trimester: 1 pound per week total of 10-12 pounds for the second trimester
- Third trimester: 1 pound per week total of 10-12 pounds for the third trimester
Total weight gain during pregnancy: 27-30 pound for the whole duration of pregnancy
[edit] Know your weight
“Eating for two” is the general advice you would be getting from people around you, but that doesn't mean eating twice as much food as you usually do.
Although excess weight gain may not be a major medical problem, you may have a tough time losing it. If you are gaining weight rapidly and have a higher blood pressure, it may even be a sign of severe fluid retention which can lead to preeclampsia. Also, if excess weight gain in pregnancy leads to a macrosomic or larger baby, it may cause delivery complications.
However, if you are due with twins, 35 to 40 pounds of weight gain in pregnancy may be recommended.
To start with, check your BMI to know whether you are underweight, overweight or having the right weight. A recent study published by the Institute of Medicine, titled Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines, besides looking into other aspects of weight gain in pregnancy, recommends how much weight pregnant women need to gain for their BMI category. Kathleen M. Rasmussen, ScD, RD, who chaired the committee that published this report, says that obese mothers may even have trouble breastfeeding. However, she also states that if women who started their pregnancy underweight and do not add on the prescribed weight gain have a higher chance of delivering before term or even low-weight babies (under 5.5 pounds).
[edit] How to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy
Mild exercises along with activities like walking and swimming should be part of your regimen to help you burn excess calories and also keep your energy levels high. If you feel very hungry, do not nibble on fast food. Have a balanced diet and consume foods with high nutritional value. Try fresh fruits and vegetables, salads and low-calorie snacks instead of high-calorie snacks like potato chips, cookies and donuts to slow down excess weight gain in pregnancy. Go for more proteins and less of fat-based foods. Avoid whole milk products and keep to low-fat cheese and yoghurt. Sweetened drinks and juices add empty calories and are low on nutrition, so try avoiding them to reduce excess weight gain in pregnancy.
More importantly, don’t fret over weight gain. Eat well, rest well and enjoy this beautiful journey.
[edit] References
- Greenfield, Dr Marjorie. Dr Spock’s Pregnancy Guide. P 32, 38, 79-81. 2003. Pocket Books
- Rasmussen, Kathleen M. Pregnancy weight gain: What to expect. July 2009. http://www.babycenter.com/0_pregnancy-weight-gain-what-to-expect_1466.bc
- Nihira, Mikio A. Pregnancy and Weight Gain. March 07, 2010. http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/healthy-weight-gain
- American Pregnancy Association June 2011 http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/aboutpregweightgain.html
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