Pregnancy Weight Gain - Beautiful!

You find out that you are going to be a new mom in 9 months. You are so excited and are looking forward to enjoying every minute of your pregnancy. The thought of waiting patiently, then finally getting to hold your little bundle of joy fills your heart with happiness. Nothing can interrupt this wonderful feeling. Then it hits you like a ton of bricks...pregnancy weight gain.

Gaining weight during pregnancy is something most women fear. Having a "baby bump" is not the issue, it is the extra weight that is gained throughout the whole 9 months. Why has this fear become so prevalent within our society? Only two little words are needed to answer this question, the media.

The media has portrayed women as having to be extremely thin, even during pregnancy. There is such a craze about weight loss and women seem to feel they never measure up to society's standards. The fear of becoming obese during (and after) delivery has plagued the minds of women nationwide.

The problem with this is that not only will weight loss, especially via fad and crash diets, will have a negative effect on the woman but on the unborn baby as well. Everything a mother eats, drinks, or ingests will have either a positive or devastatingly and potentially fatal effect on the baby. Going on a diet or strictly regulating food intake to insure minimum weight gain can cause the unborn baby to have numerous health issues such as: malformation, thickening of arterial walls, brain damage, premature birth, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, be more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and may other health issues in utero and after birth.

The mom-to-be will also suffer health issues by loosing weight during pregnancy.

To avoid any problems with you or your unborn baby, eat healthy foods and limit the amount of empty or high calorie foods that contain a lot of sugar or salt. It is equally important to stay away from alcohol, smoking, caffeinated drinks, and drugs. If you go out to eat choose healthy foods. If you are not sure what foods are better for you ask for a nutritional guide.

Despite the old wives tale that you are "eating for two", you are actually providing necessary nutrients "for two". You only need 100 to 300 calories more than a normal healthy diet for someone your age/weight. You should also have healthy and nutrient rich snacks on hand. It is recommended to eat 5 to 6 small meals a day. This will prevent overeating and, for most, prevents or lessens heartburn during pregnancy.

Why do I need to gain weight during pregnancy?

There are several reasons why proper weight gain during pregnancy is critical to your baby's growth and development, as well as your own well being. The number one reason for healthy weight gain during pregnancy is that your baby has specific nutritional needs at every phase of his/her development. This includes the stage before you know you are even pregnant. There are certain developments that can only take place at a specific time. Certain nutrients are required for these specific developments, which is why a healthy diet plus healthy weight gain is paramount for your baby to obtain optimal developmental results. Once that stage passes, it is gone and can not be "made up" in later stages.

By staying on a path of healthy weight gain also insures that the you are physically well enough to carry your baby throughout her pregnancy. Loosing weight and not eating a healthy diet can cause the you to become severely anemic and there is a possibility of a miscarriage especially in the first trimester. If you stay anemic during the entire pregnancy, you may have a problem with her red blood cells reproducing after delivery which can lead to health risks or, in very severe cases, can lead to death.

Whether you are underweight or overweight, it is recommended that you gain weight. The average weight gain is around 25-35 pounds. If you are underweight, it is suggested that you should gain around 28-40 pounds, and if you are overweight you should gain around 15-25 pounds. If you are expecting twins you should gain 35-40 pounds. No matter what category you fall in, it is imperative that you get prenatal care as soon as possible. Your OB/GYN will tell you how much weight you need to gain and how to obtain that goal in a healthy way.

How do I keep us both healthy during my pregnancy?

First, find an OB/GYN that you are comfortable with. He/she will tell you where you are in the "weight category". They will develop a nutritional plan for you and what/how often you need to eat. This will ensure the best possible start in life for your baby before and after he/she is born. It will also help you get in the habit of eating healthy and regularly throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Second, you and your doctor will also develop an exercise regime that will help keep you at a healthy weight. Exercising regularly will:

decrease nausea/fatigue, lessen joint/muscle pain, lessens fat deposition in late pregnancy, raises your metabolism, and lowers chance for inducing labor/forceps delivery/C-section. 85% of women that exercise have uncomplicated vaginal births. Exercise also has health benefits for your baby. Your baby will be more lean, have a lower chance of exhibiting behavioral or chemical signs of stress, tolerate labor better, and do better and are more active at birth.

To prevent problems during pregnancy, start living a healthy lifestyle before you decide to conceive. If you are already pregnant, discuss with your doctor your current weight, how much you need to gain, what/how often to eat, develop a regular exercise routine, and go to regular check-ups to make sure you and your baby are healthy and stay that way throughout your pregnancy, during labor, and after delivery.

Block out what society thinks you should look like. Do what is best for you and your baby, and remember you are beautiful exactly the way you are!

At Quick Healthy Weight Loss.Org, Roger Thatcher is one of our foremost writer researchers.If you are in need of a program that will give you the many answers you are looking for in about weight loss and health for women, look no further, Click Here http://www.quickhealthyweightloss.org