Pregnancy is a time of celebration. You are about to give birth to a child; it is only right that you celebrate. Even as you rejoice, there are certain things to keep in mind.
Your weight during pregnancy, for instance, is one of those things. It will not only influence the weight of your newborn child. It will also affect your health.
Here are two important things regarding weight gain during pregnancy:
Weight Gain
Weight gain will be different for different women, depending on factors, the rate of metabolism, how active you are, as well as, hereditary factors. Whether you have a multiple pregnancy. How well you eat. On average, women who were a healthy weight before pregnancy will gain between 11.5kg and 16kg during pregnancy.
To estimate how much weight you will gain in each trimester:
- In the first trimester, your weight will increase between 1 and 1.5kg. This is because your baby has just started growing. Again, in cases where an expecting mother experiences morning sickness, there might be none or negligible weight gain.
- The second and third trimesters are a period of rapid baby growth. You should expect to continue to gain between 1.5 and 2kg per month until you give birth.
Managing Your Weight Gain
If you are worried about your weight, then there are ways to manage how much you gain. The following tips can help:
- Stick to a balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish and dairy.
- Unless your caregiver advices you otherwise, stay active by exercising.
- Keep away from foods too high in fat or sugar content.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements, such as folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine etc.
- Maintain your fluid intake to keep from becoming dehydrated.
Remember to eat safe foods during pregnancy!
Still worried? Consult your caregiver and follow the instructions they have for you for a healthy pregnancy!
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