5 Tips Gain Healthy Weight During Pregnancy

Pregnancy and weight gain go hand in hand. But to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby, you must not gain excessive weight.

Being overweight before pregnancy or gaining excessive weight during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and other complications related to pregnancy, including preeclampsia and the need for a cesarean section, according to a 2015 study published in Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkunde. The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy is based on several factors, including pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI). Your health status and your baby’s health also play a key role.

# Lose Weight before Conceiving

Take steps to ensure you’re at a healthy weight before you become pregnant. This will make it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight throughout the pregnancy. Obese women who are pregnant are at a higher risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, long labor, labor interventions, miscarriage and ultrasound test difficulties.

# Light Exercises

During pregnancy, exercise is important. Moderate exercise can help burn excess calories and keep your weight in check. Walking or swimming are usually safe forms of exercise for pregnant women. Try to do 30 minutes of light exercise like walking or swimming three days a week.

# Eat Healthy

During pregnancy, your focus should be on eating healthy rather that eating for two. Your body does not need that many extra calories a day to nourish your growing baby. You simply need 340 extra calories per day when you are in the second trimester and 450 extra calories per day when you are in your third trimester.

# Drink Water

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your body flush out toxins and stay hydrated. In addition, adequate water intake increases the rate at which the body burns fat. Proper hydration is important for a healthy pregnancy.

# Cook Food

During pregnancy, you need to eat healthy. Hence, it is better to start cooking so that you know what you are eating and you do not have to worry about hidden ingredients when you eat out. When cooking at home, you have full control over the nutritional content and the healthfulness of the foods you eat. This also means you are providing healthy nutrition to your unborn baby.