subject: Weight Gain and Healthy Pregnancy [print this page] Weight Gain and Healthy Pregnancy Weight Gain and Healthy Pregnancy
Are you pregnant? Take precautionary measures to make sure you will have a healthy pregnancy. It is beneficial to know what to do during your pregnancy week by week and stay healthy while you are pregnant; get a regular exercise, health diet, proper vitamin supplementation and manage stress during pregnancy.
What To Do?
It is very helpful to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle once you know that you are pregnant. Here are some tips to guide you on what to do during your pregnancy for the safety of your baby.
1. Cigarette smoking has been related to low birth weight, premature birth and other pregnancy problems. If you smoke, stop or quit immediately.
2. Take regular exercise, or begin with less strenuous activities. This can be done by simple walking and swimming.
3. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake or cease drinking during the whole pregnancy.
4. Take prenatal vitamins such as iron and folic acid. You can get them over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor.
5. Have a regular prenatal check up with your physician. The doctor can suggest any tests that are necessary for you and your baby's health. He will also assist you in planning your care and delivery choices.
Pregnancy And Weight Gain
In most cases it is not ideal to have a weight loss plan during pregnancy. However, if gaining more weight than recommended during the beginning of the pregnancy, consult your health care provider. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and gaining a correct amount of weight during pregnancy is a good sign because your baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs and is growing at a healthy rate.
Too much weight gain is dangerous especially in the second trimester, to be more specific, on the 20th week of pregnancy. And the earlier such complications happen, the more difficult confinement a woman will have. It is recommended you take care of their weight and take arterial pressure on both hands and urine tests. Monitoring of blood pressure is also important. If symptoms like edemas, high blood pressure and presence of albumin is present, you should go immediately in a hospital.
Normal Pregnancy Weight Gain Week By Week
Normal Weight
If your weight before pregnancy was in a healthy state like BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, 0.5 -2 kilos in the first trimester and about 0.4 kilo's every week for the rest of pregnancy. A total of gain weight between 10 and 20 kilo's is usual.
Overweight
If your weight prior to your pregnancy is overweight for your height like BMI of 25 to 30, a weight gain of 7 to 10 kilos is more ideal. However, if you were obese like BMI of 30 or higher, the gain weight should be between 5 to 8 kilos.
Underweight
If your weight before pregnancy is underweight for your height like a BMI below 18.5, the healthy weight gain for you is between 12 to 18 kilos.
For twin pregnancy, the ideal weight gain should be 17 to 25 kilo's if you had a healthy weight before pregnancy. If you were overweight before pregnancy, it's 14 to 23 kilo's and 12 to 20 kilo's if you were obese.
