Pregnancy: weight must increase
Pregnant women usually gain only about one to two kilograms in the first three months. Some women even lose weight initially, for example because they have to vomit frequently in the first trimester.
On the other hand, the female body adapts to pregnancy in order to provide optimal care for the child. Thus, the uterus and placenta grow. Water retention in the tissues increases significantly. The breasts enlarge, the blood volume increases and the amniotic fluid also adds a certain amount of weight.
How much should pregnant women gain weight?
- Normal-weight women with a body mass index (BMI) of up to 25 should gain between ten and 16 kilograms during pregnancy.
- In overweight and severely overweight (obese) women, the weight gain should not exceed ten kilograms if possible.
- Experts refrain from making a general recommendation on the minimum weight gain for underweight women because there is not enough scientific data for this.
Normal weight is best to aim for before pregnancy.
Losing weight during pregnancy should be avoided by normal-weight and underweight women. Otherwise, the child in the womb is at risk of malnutrition, which endangers the child’s development.
If pregnant women suffer from eating disorders – such as anorexia or bulimia – this can have serious health consequences for mother and child. Affected women should therefore seek help from their doctor or psychologist.
When is losing weight during pregnancy advisable?
Losing weight during pregnancy is only advisable for overweight women and only in consultation with their gynecologist. For pregnant women with (severe) overweight, losing weight can have advantages, because:
- In addition, pregnant women who weigh too much can cause the baby to grow very large in the womb. This complicates the birth process and may make a cesarean section necessary.
- Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage as well as premature birth.
- Medical examinations such as ultrasound of the mother or the fetal heart (fetal echocardiography) are more difficult and often less conclusive in cases of severe obesity.
Losing weight during pregnancy: dietary changes and exercise
The best way to lose weight healthily is to change your diet and exercise regularly. Pregnant women are best advised to discuss the specifics of this with their doctor.
Regular medical examinations help to lose weight in a controlled and healthy way or to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
However, women should not lose weight during pregnancy with one-sided diets or strict calorie restriction. The risk that the child will not be adequately nourished is too great.
