R.C. Anderson
Baby, do I look fat in this ...?
February 9th 2007 10:23
If there’s something that most women agree on (and more than a few men, for that matter) it’s the subject of weight. Weight loss, weight gain, maintaining a healthy weight, body mass index … the list goes on.
I’ll warn you straight away, this post has nothing to do with losing weight. Personally, I believe that to lose weight all you need to do is eat healthily, reduce portion sizes, keep a food diary and exercise regularly … but, like I said, that’s not the subject of this post. If you’re looking for a quick weight problem fix or an in-depth look at some of the more popular diets, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Maybe I’ll have need of weight loss diets after I’ve had my baby … I’ll share all with you then!
What I wanted to discuss in this post was the subject of weight gain in pregnancy. How much is too much? And, just as importantly, how much is not enough?
Take yourself back a few years and how much weight a woman gained during pregnancy was an important part of the whole process. Regular weigh-ins at antenatal visits were essential, ensuring that women maintained a ‘healthy’ weight gain.
The emphasis on weight gain made many women nervous and self-conscious, giving them an unhealthy obsession with something that, left to its own devices, would generally take care of itself. Telling a pregnant woman that she should not gain more than twelve kilograms or that she should not put on weight until the second trimester could potentially do more damage than good.
All women are different. All pregnancies are different. Some women start to put on weight very early in their pregnancy as their body changes, readying itself for the months to come. Others get half way through, or more, before registering any weight gain at all.
The most important thing for all pregnant women to remember is that pregnancy is not a time for dieting.
(Great ... pass me that chocolate cake ...)
Pregnancy is also not an excuse to ‘eat for two’, however much you want that second portion of fish and chips!!
(Bugger ...)
Medical professionals these days generally agree that a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is anything between 9 and 15 kilograms. If a woman starts her pregnancy very overweight or obese, then less weight gain is required. Alternatively, if a woman starts her pregnancy underweight, a higher weight gain is acceptable.
It’s also important to remember that, just because a newborn baby only weighs around 3.5 kilograms on average, the extra weight gained is not fat. If you consider the additional weight from the placenta, amniotic fluid, expanded uterus, extra maternal blood created, increase in breast mass and other related factors, you can see where a potential 15 kilograms of weight gain can come from.
Most weight gain will occur during the second and third trimesters, when the baby is growing the most rapidly, particularly between weeks 24 and 32. A weight gain of half to one kilogram a week is perfectly normal during this time. However, it’s important to reiterate that weight gain can and will happen at any time throughout the pregnancy.
When pregnant it’s important not to worry about weight gain. By attempting to keep weight gain to a minimum you can potentially do harm to your baby as well as yourself. To ensure that any weight you put on through pregnancy is related to your condition, rather than through over-eating, make sure that you maintain a healthy diet and try to avoid too many empty-calorie foods.
And above all else, stay positive, stay happy and stay healthy. Avoid stress and obsessive weight watching and you should end up with a happy, healthy baby.
I’ll warn you straight away, this post has nothing to do with losing weight. Personally, I believe that to lose weight all you need to do is eat healthily, reduce portion sizes, keep a food diary and exercise regularly … but, like I said, that’s not the subject of this post. If you’re looking for a quick weight problem fix or an in-depth look at some of the more popular diets, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Maybe I’ll have need of weight loss diets after I’ve had my baby … I’ll share all with you then!
What I wanted to discuss in this post was the subject of weight gain in pregnancy. How much is too much? And, just as importantly, how much is not enough?
Take yourself back a few years and how much weight a woman gained during pregnancy was an important part of the whole process. Regular weigh-ins at antenatal visits were essential, ensuring that women maintained a ‘healthy’ weight gain.
The emphasis on weight gain made many women nervous and self-conscious, giving them an unhealthy obsession with something that, left to its own devices, would generally take care of itself. Telling a pregnant woman that she should not gain more than twelve kilograms or that she should not put on weight until the second trimester could potentially do more damage than good.
All women are different. All pregnancies are different. Some women start to put on weight very early in their pregnancy as their body changes, readying itself for the months to come. Others get half way through, or more, before registering any weight gain at all.
The most important thing for all pregnant women to remember is that pregnancy is not a time for dieting.
(Great ... pass me that chocolate cake ...)
Pregnancy is also not an excuse to ‘eat for two’, however much you want that second portion of fish and chips!!
(Bugger ...)
Medical professionals these days generally agree that a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is anything between 9 and 15 kilograms. If a woman starts her pregnancy very overweight or obese, then less weight gain is required. Alternatively, if a woman starts her pregnancy underweight, a higher weight gain is acceptable.
It’s also important to remember that, just because a newborn baby only weighs around 3.5 kilograms on average, the extra weight gained is not fat. If you consider the additional weight from the placenta, amniotic fluid, expanded uterus, extra maternal blood created, increase in breast mass and other related factors, you can see where a potential 15 kilograms of weight gain can come from.
Most weight gain will occur during the second and third trimesters, when the baby is growing the most rapidly, particularly between weeks 24 and 32. A weight gain of half to one kilogram a week is perfectly normal during this time. However, it’s important to reiterate that weight gain can and will happen at any time throughout the pregnancy.
When pregnant it’s important not to worry about weight gain. By attempting to keep weight gain to a minimum you can potentially do harm to your baby as well as yourself. To ensure that any weight you put on through pregnancy is related to your condition, rather than through over-eating, make sure that you maintain a healthy diet and try to avoid too many empty-calorie foods.
And above all else, stay positive, stay happy and stay healthy. Avoid stress and obsessive weight watching and you should end up with a happy, healthy baby.
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I remember when I was pregnant with my first I weighed 58kg at the beginning of my pregnancy. In the last couple of weeks I cracked the 70kg mark.
Even though I knew that I wasn't "fat" and that I would probably go back to my pre-pregnancy weight fairly soon after the baby was born with relative ease, my head still swirled when I hit 70kg.
I tried not to look when I was pregnant with my 2nd and 3rd.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
That's so true and we're all so obsessed these days with how much we weigh that we make too much of a fuss about pregnancy weight gain.
I know that as long as I keep an eye on what I eat and make sure I don't consume too much of the bad stuff, I will not have to worry about the weight I put on.
Not looking ... that is definitely the best idea!!
Have a great weekend, Mrs M.
A.H.
Comment by Sho Kosugi
Shoukai
Comment by David
Well there's not much I can say or write about this matter ... but I'm here now, so I may as well post a comment ... (< That is the comment btw ... *
David ...
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Thanks for dropping by ... it's good to meet you.
Um ... you've kinda lost me with that comment but thanks for sharing anyway. Maybe it's because there's too much cloud ... the moon didn't come out last night.
Never forget, Sho, enlightenment comes from within.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
You know, sometimes it doesn't matter what you say, it's the thought that counts...
It's always lovely to see you over here, whatever you say.
Have a fabulous weekend.
A.H.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Oh ha ha ha ha...I crack myself up...oops.
Sorry.
...wink....giggle...
As always Cara...brilliant, funny and very informative...
much love my Caramella Angel...
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
... I'm finding it hard not to laugh and giggle and chuckle ...
Thank you, dear Dusk, for your kind compliments ... (the cheque's in the mail).
Love Cara xxxx
Comment by Candice
Great post! I hit the 16kg weight gain mark in my second last week of pregnancy so I just didn't weigh myself in the last week so I could tell myself I was still within range (even if it was on the high end).
Seriously though, I wonder about the whole weight gain during pregnancy thing because my sister put on way more than the 15kg with both her pregnancies but lost it again straight away - so she obviously hadn't gained any more than her body needed for the babies.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Exactly right. Pregnancy weight gain is such an individual thing that putting a particular number on the amount is a potentially dangerous thing to do.
As mothers-to-be, only we can say honestly whether we have done the 'right thing' where our pregnancy eating habits are concerned. If we've eaten a normal, healthy diet (with just the odd naughty snack) and pile on 15 or 20 kilos then it's safe to say, that's what the pregnant body needed; as you point out.
Hmmmm ... maybe I should stop stuffing my face with salt and vinegar chips!!!
Thanks for dropping in and sharing your story, Candice, as always it's lovely to see you.
A.H.