Pregnancy should be a time of joy for the mother and those around her. There are however several precautions that should be taken into consideration during this period and one of them is weight gain.
What is pregnancy weight gain?
During pregnancy several changes take place within the body of the mother. As the baby develops within her, she experiences a weight gain. Amother should keep track of her diet. The development of the baby requires a good supply of nutrients which are taken directly from the mother’sbody. Nutrients such as calcium and iron will especially be in high demand. The mother should therefore take in enough nutrients to supply her needs and those of her child.
Mothers usually experience cravings for certain foods at this time to as a result of an inadequate supply of certain nutrients. These cravings if not handled properly could lead to unhealthy weight gain.
How much is the ideal pregnancy weight gain?
Weight gain during pregnancy is normal but too much weight gain should be avoided. There are two major reasons for this:
- Excessive weight gain will put a strain on the vital organs of the mother throughout the pregnancy period.
- Excessive weight gain in the mother could indicate an overweight baby which could cause complications during delivery.
Weight gain in the mother should be gradual. A healthy pregnancy weight gain should not exceed sixteen or eighteen pounds. Mothers should be careful not to exceed this weight. Regular checks at a prenatal clinic will help you keep track of your progress as well as your baby.
A nutritionist can help you devise a diet and draw up a weight chart to help you with healthy pregnancy weight gain. Foods rich in iron such as fresh salads, whole grain foods, proteins, yellow and green leafy vegetables, oils and fats are to be encouraged for healthy pregnancy weight gain. These foods will also help reduce cravings during pregnancy. Foods such as sweets, highly spiced foods, sweetened drinks, carbonated drinks and fatty foods should be avoided. These foods will encourage excessive weight gain.
Pregnancy Weight Gain by Months
It isn’t enough to know that you should not exceed a weight gain of eighteen pounds throughout your pregnancy. You should keep track of yourweight gain by month. This will help you regulate your weight gain properly. Healthy pregnancy weight gain broken down to months is as follows:
- Month 1 – 3: 2 pound increase
- Month 4 – 6: 6 or 7 pound increase
- Month 7 – 9: 8 or 9 pound increase
You should be able to keep track of your weight gain on a proper pregnancy chart. This chart will help you construct a graph showing the progress of your weight gain during the months of pregnancy and ensure your weight gain is healthy.
Pregnancy Weight Loss
Many mothers are concerned about losing the weight gained during pregnancy after birth. If you had a healthy pregnancy weight gain you should not have anything to worry about. With proper exercise and diet you will be back to your old weight in no time.
Healthy Weight Gain during Pregnancy
Recommended Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Weight Gain in Early Pregnancy
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