It might seem strange, but weight loss can accompany pregnancy. If you’re in your first trimester it’s probably nothing to worry about, most women only gain between three and five pounds. However, talk with your doctor if you aren’t gaining weight, or can’t keep anything down. Creating a whole, new person inside of you means giving your body the nutrients it needs to function properly. You are essentially a habitat for your baby! The habitat needs to be well stocked for the baby to come out healthy and kicking.
Much of being pregnant means being proactive. Eating properly in the beginning stages means setting the right routine for the rest of your pregnancy. Keeping things like blood sugar under control can help you avoid problems such as birth defects and miscarriage. It is important to manage your weight because gaining too much could lead to preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and these issues are more common than one might think.
Gestational diabetes can happen in a woman during pregnancy who doesn’t previously have it, and will usually goes away afterwards. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and can even occur in women who typically have normal levels. The onset of preeclampsia is unclear, although some researchers believe poor nutrition, high body fat, or insufficient blood flow could play a role.
If you are obese, your child will be prone to neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, and other serious problems. Some women who are obese at the beginning of pregnancy may lose weight throughout the process, while some gain weight. It’s not hard fact that all women should gain weight during pregnancy. If you are obese and losing weight it’s not necessarily cause for alarm. It is advised to exercise regularly and eat properly to help ensure the delivery of a healthy baby. Just walking for thirty minutes a day is a safe and effective form of exercise! Maintaining a low calorie diet is also ideal.
Bottom line: Pregnancy is not a time for laying around, overeating, and giving in to every craving of ice cream or chocolate. Peel your expectant self off the couch and get outside! Indulge rarely, but you don’t have to deprive yourself. Find healthy, yummy alternatives for snacking throughout the day. As a mommy in training, you do have the responsibility of growing a healthy new baby, which means giving it the proper nutrients. Exercise is good for you and your baby, and helps prevent issues like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. You’ll sleep better, experience milder pregnancy symptoms, and enjoy a happier state of mind.