Ask Marilyn – Star Question: Losing weight for pregnancy?
Q: I’m trying for my second baby and my doctor has suggested I lose some of the weight I gained during my last pregnancy first. Is it worth it as I’m going to gain weight anyway when I’m pregnancy?
A: It most certainly is. Mothers who pile on the pounds after their first baby could be putting their next baby at risk. On the other hand, losing too much weight quickly after a pregnancy could be just as dangerous. Any rapid weight changes between pregnancy can increase the risk of babies suffering high blood pressure along with premature or stillbirth.
There is growing evidence that sudden and dramatic changes in weight put a huge strain and can harm babies. One study from Sweden published in 2006 which examined 207, 5000 women between 1992 and 2001 highlighted the dangers of weight gain. It found a rise in a woman’s body mass index (BMI) by just one or two points between her first and second pregnancy increased the risk of diabetes and pre-eclampsia. A second study published last year in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology examined the risks of losing weight. It found that women whose BMI fell by five or more units between pregnancies had a higher risk of premature birth than those whose weight remained stable. Although apparently contradictory these studies show how important it is to attain and maintain a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy so my advice to you is not to try and diet to lose weight but to make sure you eat healthily and get regular exercise (see my tips on healthy eating and my fertility boosting tips in this issue). That way you’ll be getting all the metabolism (fat burning) benefits of a healthy diet and you’ll also be giving yourself the best possible chance of a healthy pregnancy and birth.
You may also be worried about gaining weight once you are pregnant. Under no circumstances should you diet during pregnancy. If you crash diet you will deprive yourself and the baby of valuable nutrients. Your body may also start to detoxify (losing toxins stored in fat throughout your body) and these toxins will pass though the baby before they are excreted.
If you eat a good, nutritious diet, you will lose any unnecessary weight naturally. The way to lose weight during pregnancy is to eat healthier and any excess weight will come off. A healthy weight gain during pregnancy is considered to be not more than 15 kg (33lb) and also not less than 5kg (11lb). If you find that you are well above or below this range, talk to you doctor.
The most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy weight is to ensure that your blood sugar is balanced by eating regularly. If you miss meals in an attempt to restrict calories, you may end up craving sweets and chocolates because your blood sugar has dropped too low.
Reduce your intake of concentrated fruit juices, even unsweetened brands. These juices may have some nutritional value, but they lack fibre and many women have found that they can cause weight gain because they cause the blood sugar to fluctuate. Juice should always be diluted (half and half) with water.
Eat slowly and chew well. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, so if you eat slowly you can avoid overeating before you get that message.