Controlling your weight safely is possible and recommended
To the credit of future mothers, doctors' advice regarding weight gain during pregnancy has varied considerably from decade to decade. Today, studies show that it is recommended to approach pregnancy, at the very stage of the conception project, with a healthy weight, and that it may therefore be necessary to modify one's diet and lifestyle. well before pregnancy to reduce complications. This study conducted at Northwestern Medicine and other American universities, supports, in the journal Obesity, that obese or overweight pregnant women can safely control their weight gain through diet and exercise.
Still too many already overweight or obese women still gain excess weight during pregnancy, further increasing an already increased risk of serious complications for themselves and their babies. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has therefore supported several trials of different diet and exercise interventions. It is the largest series of trials in the United States conducted, aimed at targeting weight gain in overweight and obese women. These trials focused on different socioeconomic groups so that their results could be generalized in the population. Overall, the research is important because it concludes, with evidence, that women can change their behaviors to better control their weight gain during pregnancy.
Different recommendations over time:
The advice doctors have given women about weight gain during pregnancy has varied widely from decade to decade:
in the 1950s, doctors often asked their patients not to gain more than 7 kilos;
in the late 1970s and early 1980s, mothers were not gaining enough weight and had small babies, which could lead to developmental problems. Doctors then encouraged women to gain more weight;
women began to gain excessive weight as a result, and in the early 2000s doctors began noticing that excessive weight gain during pregnancy was associated with certain pregnancy complications and increased risk of obesity and diabetes in children.
7 trials conducted by 7 teams
starting in the second trimester of pregnancy until birth invited participants to different interventions based on lifestyle changes. All interventions, however, included improving diet quality, reducing caloric intake, increasing physical activity, and developing behavioral strategies including self-monitoring of these various lifestyle measures.
2 kilos less is already good:
the reduction in weight gain obtained on average with these interventions is just under 2 kilos, which is not negligible. However, at this stage, it is not enough to reduce the risk of complications including obstetrical complications, caesarean section, diabetes, hypertension and preeclampsia, or to influence the birth weight of the baby. However, most of these interventions have been tested in the second trimester of pregnancy: “ To reduce the risk of obstetric complications, lifestyle changes should probably be made before or immediately after conception ”.
Longer-term beneficial effects in infants?
The researchers indeed hope, with earlier interventions, to reduce the incidence of obesity and other metabolic disorders in children.
How can we control obesity during pregnancy?
Be physically active. Consult your health care provider about safe ways to stay physically active during your pregnancy, such as walking, swimming or doing low-impact aerobics. Avoid risky substances. If you smoke, ask your health care provider to help you quit.
Can you lose weight while pregnant safely and stay the same weight throughout pregnancy?
Losing weight while pregnant, other than in the early weeks, is not healthy for you or your baby. Dieting, trying to stay the same weight or losing weight in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy can deprive your baby of nutrients needed to grow and develop.
What are the recommendations for weight gain during the pregnancy of an overweight woman?
The amount of weight you gain during pregnancy is important for the health of your pregnancy and for the long-term health of you and your baby. If you were obese (body mass index 30.0 and above) before pregnancy, you should gain 11-20 pounds during pregnancy.
Where do pregnancy weight gain recommendations come from?
Those recommendations, released in 2009, were based on research from the NICHD, other NIH Institutes, and the March of Dimes. The IOM guidelines recommend the following: Pregnant women who are underweight (body mass index [BMI] of less than 18.5) should gain 28 to 40 pounds.
Why is weight gain important during pregnancy?
Weight gain during pregnancy helps your baby grow. Gaining weight at a steady rate within recommended boundaries can also lower your chances of having hemorrhoids, varicose veins, stretch marks, backache, fatigue, indigestion, and shortness of breath during pregnancy.
How much weight should I lose to have a healthy pregnancy?
If it's too hard for you to get to the recommended weight range, even a small weight loss can help a lot. If you can lose 5-10% of your body weight now (for example, 5-10 kg if you weigh 100 kg), you'll reduce your chance of health problems and complications during pregnancy.
How does obesity affect pregnancy?
Obesity increases the risk of the following problems during pregnancy: Birth defects—Babies born to women who have obesity have an increased risk of having birth defects, such as heart defects and neural tube defects (NTDs).
Can a pregnant woman lose weight?
Unless you're in early pregnancy, it's not safe to lose weight while pregnant. Your body is working hard to support your growing baby, and if you're losing weight or dieting while pregnant, you may miss out on important nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.
Can you lose fat during pregnancy?
The fetus can use their body's fat stores for energy. By not gaining any weight during pregnancy, a woman will usually be losing fat stores.
How many kg is a pregnancy?
Weight gain in pregnancy varies greatly. Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 28lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.
What are the recommended nutritional guidelines during pregnancy?
Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and protein foods. Choose foods and drinks with less added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium (salt). Limit refined grains and starches, which are in foods like cookies, white bread, and some snack foods.
What is the largest part of weight gain during pregnancy?
Of the total weight gain, the fetus accounts for ~ 27%, amniotic fluid 6%, and the placenta 5%. Maternal tissue accretion contributes mainly with fat deposition (average 27%, although highly variable between women).
What is the normal weight to get pregnant?
Ideal weight for conception varies
The healthy BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9. Adults with a BMI between 25 and 29 are considered overweight and a BMI over 30 indicates obesity. You can find out what your BMI is using our BMI tool.
Can belly fat affect pregnancy?
Excess weight affects female fertility
This can disrupt the hormone balance and lead to reduced fertility. The quantity and distribution of body fat affect the menstrual cycle through a range of hormonal mechanisms. The more excess weight and the more abdominal fat, the greater the risk of fertility difficulties.
Can belly fat affect during pregnancy?
Women who have high levels of abdominal fat during their first trimester of pregnancy have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in their pregnancy, according to a new study published in Diabetes Care. The study looked at nearly 500 women between 18 and 42 years old.
