Obesity in pregnancy

Most pregnant women who are overweight get a normal pregnancy. However, obesity in pregnancy carries risks for the mother such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes and, by extension for the fetus: miscarriage, spina bifida or overweight babies. Following a balanced and varied diet throughout pre

Most pregnant women who are overweight get a normal pregnancy. However, obesity in pregnancy carries risks for the mother such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes and, by extension for the fetus: miscarriage, spina bifida or overweight babies. Following a balanced and varied diet throughout pregnancy will help to avoid excessive weight gain.

Risks of obesity in pregnancy

The pregnant woman who is overweight must know what are the complications that can occur during pregnancy and assess the risks involved:

- Pre-eclampsia: it is a disease associated with hypertension that causes seizures, muscle aches, swelling of hands and feet or headaches. The treatment for these cases is rest.

- Gestational diabetes: it is a disease that prevents the mother's organism from metabolizing glucose. It poses a risk to the baby as it can become an obese child and adult develop the disease of diabetes.

- Cesarean delivery: complications are greater when there is obesity in pregnancy and usually result in a slow delivery that ends in cesarean section.

- Preterm births: delivery can occur before the 37th week of pregnancy so a premature baby would be born. Although today, even 80% of babies born in the 28th week of pregnancy survive, they are children who have problems of late development.

- Overweight: a high percentage of babies born to mothers who suffer obesity in pregnancy have a high overweight and tend to suffer from this excess weight in the future.

Treatment for obesity in pregnancy

The best treatment for obesity of the pregnant woman is to lose weight before pregnancy, always with a medical control to carry a varied and balanced diet, since during pregnancy it is contraindicated to make diets of thinning. The body needs the essential nutrients to help the development of the baby.

The gynecologist will perform a more intense control of your pregnancy in case of being overweight, and will recommend not to gain more than 6 to 9 kilos throughout the entire gestation period.

You can redirect your diet during pregnancy to create a healthy eating habit. Carrying a healthy and balanced diet eliminating fast food, fried foods, industrial bakery and snacks will help you not gain excessive weight during the 9 months of pregnancy.

Try not to lead a sedentary life and at least walk half an hour a day. It would be convenient, if you suffer from obesity in pregnancy, that you will perform moderate physical exercise. Swimming, yoga, Pilates or gymnastics for pregnant women are good resources to stay in shape.