Pregnancy weight gain is not a concern just for overweight women. According to the latest research* weight gain during pregnancy has taken on a more serious angle. In fact, what doctors are most concerned about is women who gain weight between the first and second pregnancy. Too much weight gain can cause a number of difficulties leading to high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and even still birth.
It?s not just for large moms. The issue is the amount of weight put on. There is a growing trend amongst doctors now to watch women who are not overweight or obese necessarily but women whose weight has increased significantly after their first baby, and, are now looking to have another one.
This new group of moms being watched by doctors has an increased risk of developing issues with their pregnancies. Putting on weight can encourage numerous pregnancy complications to develop. There is now a connection between obesity and the lack of pregnancy health.
The research indicates that significant weight put on between pregnancy number 1 and 2 found that there were more complications during pregnancy and delivery of the baby. The complications included more reports of pre-eclampsia, hypertension, diabetes, stillbirth and the delivery of a large baby. And there were more casers report to have occurred.
So what does this mean for women of a normal weight who have put on some pounds since having junior?
The most fundamental aspect of a successful pregnancy is optimum health of the mother. And now, with this new research, maintaining a healthy weight is paramount.
If your weight is reduced after the first pregnancy, then a successful outcome for the second pregnancy is more likely. A study in the Lancet medical journal, researchers found that even a difference of one or two Body mass Index Units increases the chances of developing gestational diabetes.
The body Mass Index is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared. A BMI of 20-25 is considered quite healthy. Any more, such as a 25-30 is considered overweight and 30-40 is obese.
So what can you do between pregnancies to ensure the health of your own body and reduce risk of complications?
If loosing weight to become pregnant for the second time is an issue, there here are some easy pointers to help you get rid of those extra pounds.
1. Cut down on refined sugar.
When I was a girl, the only people that had to watch their sugar was diabetics. And in the 70?s and 80?s a Diabetic was hard to find. Nowadays it seems like every second or third person you meet has this terrible condition. Too much sugar can put a strain on your pancreas and cause you to store fat if there is too much sugar in your system.
This includes Carbs. Carbohydrates are sugars too. Carbs are fine in moderation, but too much causes your bodies to store it as fat. Foods in this category you should watch are breads, potatoes, rice and pasta just to name a few. You can get ?good? Carbs from vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and pumpkin.
2. Increase your physical activity
Get moving! You will be amazed at the difference in your general health 20 minutes walk a day does. Walking for 20 minutes a day increases your bodies ability to burn off that fat, increased blood flow and oxygen. It not only makes you feel good, but is great for your health.
3. Steamed, baked or grilled, not fried.
Many women don?t have the palate for steamed vegetables, claiming they are tasteless. So why not opt for grilled or baked. It?s much better for your weight and cholesterol levels to grill foods rather than fry them. For example grilled fish tastes wonderful done basked in the oven with coriander and lemon juice. Add your fish with some roasted pumpkin, steamed broccoli with a fresh tomato and avocado. A meal like this is good for your heart, muscles and with a walk, will encourage weight loss in no time.
4. Drink more water
Water itself doesn?t cause weight loss. The beauty of water is that it helps to flush out toxins, keeps your cells hydrated and encourages mental clarity. This cleansing effect will help your body loose the weight due to increased hydration and feeling full for longer.
5. Detox your body
There are plenty of detoxification programs around. The important thing to remember if you are going to detox for health you must get plenty of vitamins so your body can flush out the toxins. It?s no good going on a detox that involves fasting if you are diabetic, or hypoglycemic. It?s important to do your research on all detox products and programs. Detox should not leave you feeling hungry. A good detox should involve the right amount of nutrient absorption and hydration. Detox can work well for weight loss as it may increase metabolism.
Hopefully you?ve now seen the benefits of loosing those extra pounds before you think about conceiving another baby. You?ll feel more energy when you are not carrying around excess pounds. Pregnancy carries absolutely no guarantees of a child at the end, but with effective health management you?ll be doing all the right things to encourage a successful pregnancy to full term.
By Sally Aubrey
* Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.
