The Truth about Pregnancy Weight Gain
Beware of pregnancy weight gain. To read one of the early pregnancy tests results and see a positive outcome is one of the greatest joys in life for more many women. It means you can spend lots of time picking out first your maternity clothes and later, your little one’s new clothes. Pregnancy is a wonderful time for most expecting moms. However, there is one aspect of this condition that puts everyone from the new dad to the expecting mom, to the medical community into a frenzy, pregnancy weight gain. It’s understandable, with the rising rate of obesity and health problems, to want to keep weight gain in the healthy range. Doctors also want to see their pregnant patients gain weight correctly and while eating a healthful diet. On the other hand, not gaining enough weight can adversely affect the pregnancy. It’s a very delicate balance that has to be maintained throughout the nine months.
For those moms carrying single babies, there are general rules to follow when it comes to pregnancy weight gain. If the mother to be is overweight when she gets pregnant, the standard belief is that she should gain about 15 pounds total with her pregnancy. Even with an abundance of weight to begin with, the baby and the changes to the body, like greater blood production, has to increase the woman’s weight at least a little for everyone to be healthy. A new mom in the average range of weight is going to be expected to gain between 25 and 35 pounds by the time she gives birth. For a woman who has a weight problem on the other end of the spectrum, her weight is below normal, she should work to gain about 10 or 15 pounds more than the normal weight mother. In the event of a multiple birth, there are no standards compiled, so it’s best to follow the advice of the doctor.
For generations the old cliché of “eating for two” was the advice of the day. Now is the time to throw that not so wise wisdom out the window. Most experts feel pregnant women need about 300 extra calories a day for a healthy pregnancy and to support the growing baby. That means you don’t have free reign to eat as much as you like. Your choices in foods are also very important. Pregnancy weight gain is normal, but you have to make sure you gain it in the smartest way possible. It’s important to strive to eat from the major food groups everyday. Not only is this better for the mother in terms of heart health and other systems, it is going to benefit the baby as well. Each food group has vital nutrients the growing fetus needs to be strong. Eating for pregnancy really isn’t all that different than eating when you aren’t. Make careful decisions about your food and add in an extra treat once in a while.
You might be wondering where that pregnancy weight gain goes in the body. Especially if you are struggling with accepting the extra pounds, understanding how it helping you and the baby might help to make it a little easier. About 8 pounds of the weight is what are called maternal stores, or fat to support you both. Believe it or not, 4 pounds is nothing but water to hold off dehydration. Another 3 lbs. is brought on by increased blood supply and the thicker, stronger uterine muscles account for about 2 lbs. by themselves. Increased breast tissues tacks on another roughly 2 pounds. The baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid make up the rest weighing in at about 12 pounds collectively, depending on the final weight of the baby. As you can see, each and every pound of pregnancy weight gain is needed and necessary. Proper nutrition will ensure that after the baby is born, the new mother is ready to take care of herself and lose any pounds that might be lingering.