"How much weight should I gain while I'm pregnant?" is the most
common question I hear. And I'm glad women are asking, because gaining
too much weight is dangerous for both mom and baby.
Thanks to myths like, "when you're pregnant, you should eat enough for two," the majority of moms-to-be are gaining too much weight. Right now, approximately six million women are pregnant, and over three million of them are either overweight or obese.
Even more surprising is that 69 percent of normal weight women put on excessive weight during pregnancy. Why is this disturbing?
Because being overweight during pregnancy increases your risk for:
Premature birth
Birth defects
Gestational diabetes
Cesarean section (with complication)
Toxemia
I
don't have to tell you that any one of these things can lead to
heartbreak. But that's not all. The risk is to the baby as well.
Infants of overweight mothers are twice as likely to have congenital heart defects and other birth defects, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics.
In addition, children of overweight mothers are 15 times more likely to suffer from weight problems themselves, who are then faced with a lifelong struggle and medical risks.
Are you concerned about having a good delivery experience? (What expectant mom isn't?) A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that overweight women have longer labor and more C-sections, posing greater risks to complications, including blood clots, infection, and excessive bleeding.
So the question, "How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?" is a very important one, indeed. Following are two charts. The first one shows you how to determine if you're underweight, normal, overweight, or obese, according to your height.
The second chart shows you how much weight you should gain, depending on your current body type.
Height 5'
Underweight 148
Height 5'2
Underweight 158
Height 5'4
Underweight 171
Height 5'6
Underweight 181
Height 5'8
Underweight 192
Height 5'10
Underweight 203
HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN GUIDE
Pre-Pregnancy Weight How Much You Should Gain
Underweight: 30 - 40 pounds
Normal: 25 - 35 pounds
Overweight: 15 - 25 pounds
Obese: 15 pounds
Having twins 35 - 45 pounds
Please Note: These are approximate weight guidelines for general information. The next time you hear someone say, "Eat up, you're eating for two," go ahead and roll your eyes. Eating for your baby is not the same as eating for two adults. You need just 300 extra calories a day while you're pregnant. That would be a 6-oz. grilled chicken breast or 24 almonds.
Keeping your weight under control during pregnancy is not difficult when you are aware of how much you should eat while you're expecting. I am confident that with knowledge and a determination, we can turn those dangerous statistics around.
Thanks to myths like, "when you're pregnant, you should eat enough for two," the majority of moms-to-be are gaining too much weight. Right now, approximately six million women are pregnant, and over three million of them are either overweight or obese.
Even more surprising is that 69 percent of normal weight women put on excessive weight during pregnancy. Why is this disturbing?
Because being overweight during pregnancy increases your risk for:
Infants of overweight mothers are twice as likely to have congenital heart defects and other birth defects, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics.
In addition, children of overweight mothers are 15 times more likely to suffer from weight problems themselves, who are then faced with a lifelong struggle and medical risks.
Are you concerned about having a good delivery experience? (What expectant mom isn't?) A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that overweight women have longer labor and more C-sections, posing greater risks to complications, including blood clots, infection, and excessive bleeding.
So the question, "How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?" is a very important one, indeed. Following are two charts. The first one shows you how to determine if you're underweight, normal, overweight, or obese, according to your height.
The second chart shows you how much weight you should gain, depending on your current body type.
Height 5'
Underweight 148
Height 5'2
Underweight 158
Height 5'4
Underweight 171
Height 5'6
Underweight 181
Height 5'8
Underweight 192
Height 5'10
Underweight 203
HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN GUIDE
Pre-Pregnancy Weight How Much You Should Gain
Underweight: 30 - 40 pounds
Normal: 25 - 35 pounds
Overweight: 15 - 25 pounds
Obese: 15 pounds
Having twins 35 - 45 pounds
Please Note: These are approximate weight guidelines for general information. The next time you hear someone say, "Eat up, you're eating for two," go ahead and roll your eyes. Eating for your baby is not the same as eating for two adults. You need just 300 extra calories a day while you're pregnant. That would be a 6-oz. grilled chicken breast or 24 almonds.
Keeping your weight under control during pregnancy is not difficult when you are aware of how much you should eat while you're expecting. I am confident that with knowledge and a determination, we can turn those dangerous statistics around.
Jennifer Polimino is the author of the book Slim Mom Secrets:
How to Have a Happy, Healthy Pregnancy and Baby. She also has a FREE
Healthy Pregnancy Coaching Club at [http://www.SlimMomCoach.com] and she
publishes a FREE online Healthy Pregnancy Tips newsletter, available at
[http://www.SlimMomSecrets.com]
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Polimino
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