Weight Gain During Pregnancy
December 17, 2008
Pregnant women are often plagued by thoughts of rapid weight gain during pregnancy. They worry about how to get back their shapely figure after the delivery. Average weight gain during pregnancy can vary from woman to woman.
Typical weight gain during pregnancy is generally about 11.34-15.88 kg. If you are underweight prior to getting pregnant, doctors may encourage you to gain a little more than this, perhaps as much as 18.14 kg. This is because in addition to putting on the weight of your growing baby, your body also needs to create some fat stores for nursing and the rigors of delivering a baby. If you start a pregnancy overweight, a doctor may encourage weight gain during pregnancy that is lower because you already have some fat reserves for labor and nursing.
You might be asked to keep weight gain during pregnancy between 6.80-11.34 kg. It’s not always the case that you can keep weight gain requirements where they ought to be, but some moms think they have to double their calories to meet their growing baby’s needs. Most additional calorie requirements can be met by eating an extra 100-400 calories a day. If you already have a healthy diet, you might add one more meal or snack to it.
When your diet needs improvement, consult with your doctor about the best diet choices for you that will not leave you hungry but won’t have you eating more than you need. The amount you gain that has gone into fat storage is usually used up by the rigors of new parenting and by the baby’s demand for food. Once you have recovered from labor and depending on your doctor’s advice, you can start exercising again too, which will help take off any excess pounds.
During pregnancy, many women are encouraged to pursue at least light exercise, which can help avoid extra weight gain during pregnancy. It is important to consult this matter with your doctor instead of using a specific weight as a goal. Equally important is that you not try to lose weight during your pregnancy and that if you note weight loss you bring this to your doctor’s attention. Do not compensate for lack of exercise by starving yourself. It’s important that you continue to nourish your changing body with adequate and healthy meals.
Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!