Pregnancy and Obesity

Many women say that their weight has increased during pregnancy. Abnormal weight-gain creates problems for both mother and the foetus. Weight gain of 8 to 10 kg during pregnancy is normal. Generally the weight should come down to its normal level soon after the delivery. In many cases women do not able to decrease their weight. Many factors could be responsible for such a phenomenon. Many a time a pregnant woman is not allowed to do any physical work. Lack of physical activity and overeating, these two factors are generally responsible for the abnormal weight-gain during pregnancy.

When a woman returns home from maternity home, she is given a lot of unnecessary foods such as, methipal, badam shira, sweets, dry fruits etc. As a result of that layers of fat accumulate on her body. Care should be taken by the expectant mother that she should not exceed her weight for that she must be weighed regularly every month during the first six months of her pregnancy and every fortnight thereafter. Care should be taken to ensure that there is no weight gain beyond 2 kg on an average, every month.

Hazards of excessive weight-gain

• Effect on the expectant mother : Excessive food intake during pregnancy increases the weight which in turn may cause grave consequences. Obese women generally do not have normal deliveries. Besides this, mother's life is in danger for a few days following the delivery. Those women who have history of diabetes, heart disease or obesity need to take extra precautions during their pregnancy.
• Effect on the foetus : Maternal obesity increases the risk of foetal-mortality by about 4 times. If mother is obese during pregnancy, then the chances of injury to the tender limbs of the foetus during the delivery are also enhanced.

Aims of dietary-control durning pregnancy

• To check undue weight-gain
• To maintain the health of mother and child
• Proper development of foetus.

Diet Plan

Take high protein foods. Restrict the intake of carbohydrates and fats. Increase the intake of raw vegetables and fruits so as to supply vitamins and organic minerals to the body. Restrict the intake of salt. Restrict the use of ghee, butter, bread, biscuits, cake, sugar, chocolates, sweets, rice etc. You can eat grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, buttermilk, curd etc.