Pregnancy Weight Gain
THE BABBLE TAKE
Pregnancy might be the only time during which it is culturally acceptable for women to gain weight. After a lifetime of thinking of any weight gain as negative, it can be a big readjustment to acknowledge weight gain as good and necessary. Experts say that, in general, you neither want to gain too little nor too much. Also, it is more important to pay attention to the quality of what you are eating, than how much weight you are putting on. Moderate, regular exercise and a carefully thought out nutritional plan can help you feel in control of your body and ensure that you gain the right amount of weight at a good pace. Doctors say appropriate weight gain varies somewhat depending on individual circumstances and that, in general, thinner women will need to gain more weight. Much of the weight you put on when pregnant consists of baby, placenta, extra blood and fluids, all of which you will lose soon after giving birth. However women also need to gain a couple of pounds to store up for the nutritionally demanding process of breastfeeding and caring for a newborn baby. All experts agree that dieting, or restricting your food intake while pregnant is dangerous and can harm both you and your baby.
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BabyCenter ®
"If you've struggled with controlling your weight in the past, or even if you've never dieted in your life, you may have a hard time accepting that it's okay to gain weight now. It's normal to feel anxious and even depressed as the numbers on the scale edge up. Try to keep in mind, however, that your extra weight is important for a healthy pregnancy and that those extra pounds will eventually come off after you've had the baby."...read the full article
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About.com
"Nowadays all we seem to be concerned with is how much anyone weighs. Is so and so fat? Or are they skinny? We really don't seem to care much about health. These attitudes linger into pregnancy, when weight really does matter, but maybe not in the ways you think." ...read the full article
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American Pregnancy Association
"Talking to your health care provider about your weight gain is important. Try not to worry if you're slightly above or below these weights. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, for women who were a normal weight before pregnancy." ...read the full article
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Dr. Sears
"The currently recommended healthy weight gain is 25 to 35 pounds. Where you fit into this range depends on two factors — your body type and whether you start your pregnancy under, over, or close to your ideal weight. [...] Every pregnant woman needs a fat reserve — to ensure there will always be a steady supply of calories available to baby in case she under eats for a day or two."
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Dr. Greene
"The right type of pregnancy weight gain benefits both you and your baby. Happily, the right type of weight gain is also the kind that turns out to be easiest to shed, according to research published in the November 2003 American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. We've known for awhile that the right amount of weight gain is important. Too little, and your baby doesn't get all she needs to grow. But too much may lead to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or a difficult delivery." ...read the full article
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