Weight gain during pregnancy

A pregnancy brings a variety of physical changes. Surely, the topic of weight gain will also concern you. No wonder, as there is nowadays a great pressure to look like before pregnancy just a few months after giving birth. Regardless of appearance, a moderate weight gain is primarily relevant for health reasons. But why exactly should you pay attention to your weight during pregnancy? How much weight gain is normal, and what impact does your eating behavior have on your baby's health? In this article, we will reveal the five most important facts about weight gain during pregnancy.

1. A healthy weight gain depends on the initial weight.

That your weight during pregnancy is a relevant indicator is already evident from the fact that you are weighed at every by your gynecologist and the result is recorded in a weight chart in the maternity record. How much weight you should or may gain during pregnancy largely depends on your starting weight. Many doctors base their recommendations on guidelines from the American Institute of Medicine. This advises women who become pregnant with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 18.5 (which corresponds to underweight) to gain between 12.5 and 18 kilograms. For women starting pregnancy with a normal weight (BMI = 18.5 to 24.9), the ideal weight gain is slightly lower at 11.5 to 16 kilograms. Heavier women (BMI over 30) should ideally gain only between 5 and 9 kilograms.

2. The motto is "Twice as good" instead of "Eating twice as much".

Actually, your daily caloric needs during pregnancy are not much higher than before. The idea that you need to eat for two is unfortunately not true. Instead, listen to your natural hunger cues and continue with a or at least go for a walk every day. If you are already eating healthily and nutritiously, you don't actually need to do much differently during pregnancy to ensure your baby is optimally supplied with all essential nutrients. Consult your doctor to find out which foods you should avoid and whether dietary supplements might be beneficial for you.

3. Overweight and underweight can harm both you and your child.

Even if many stars and celebrities shine with a perfect figure during their pregnancy, you should not base yourself on this ideal. Especially if nature has blessed you with one or two curves. Losing weight during pregnancy is not a good idea. Your baby needs to be supplied with essential nutrients during this time, which are not sufficiently available during a diet. Your body also needs more energy during pregnancy than before.

Underweight can pose serious risks for you and your baby. A link between underweight and preterm births is suspected. Developmental delays in the child can also be caused by the mother's underweight during pregnancy. View any little extra weight as a sign of this special time rather than a flaw.

But excessive weight gain is also not healthy for you and the little explorer in your belly. Overweight women have an increased risk of developing . They also often give birth to very large and heavy children, which increases the likelihood of birth complications. If you are already significantly overweight during pregnancy, it is more likely that your child will also be overweight later. Nevertheless, you should not try to change this condition on your own during pregnancy. Dietary changes for pregnant women should always be supervised by a doctor.

4. Unusual weight changes can be signs of an illness.

Weight is a very individual matter, making it difficult to make general statements about the distribution of weight gain during pregnancy. Most women hardly gain any weight in the first trimester. If you are suffering from nausea or even vomiting, a weight loss in the first months is not unusual.

In the second half of pregnancy, the scale will probably show about one pound more each week. However, if you gain weight very quickly, it could be a sign of health problems, such as the onset of pregnancy-induced hypertension (medical preeclampsia). Gestational diabetes can also become noticeable through rapid weight gain. So if you feel that your weight is changing unusually rapidly or very little, it is best to consult your doctor.

5. You will lose most of the additional weight automatically after childbirth.

It is in the nature of things: Your weight immediately after birth is relieved by the weight of your baby (3 to 4 kilograms), the placenta (0.5 to 1 kilogram), and the amniotic fluid (1 to 1.5 kilograms). The fluid retention, which can amount to up to 3 kilograms, will gradually decrease on its own in the days and weeks after birth, and your uterus, which has become about 1.5 kilograms heavier during pregnancy, will return to its original size. Only the fat reserves that your body has accumulated to ensure the supply of your baby can be somewhat stubborn. Give your body time and be gentle with yourself if the scale does not show your pre-pregnancy weight immediately after birth.

To keep track of your weight, you can weigh yourself once a week, always around the same time, and create a weight chart. However, you don't need to worry too much about your weight during your pregnancy. With a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, weight gain will generally stay within a normal range. And the more comfortable you feel in your changing body, the more consciously you can enjoy this very special connection between you and your baby in the womb!