2024-04-17 14:55:07
“Now you have to eat for two” Many pregnant women have already heard this phrase. Why, then, not also sleep or walk for two? This idea, “eating for two” when expecting a baby, is culturally well anchored in our society. However, this is a myth, the result of erroneous beliefs about the fact that weight gain during pregnancy is good for your health.
Sometimes, during this period, women relax their eating habits. Since they are going to gain weight anyway, they think they can afford to eat whatever they want. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The implications for the mother and her future baby
Pregnant women may not be fully aware of the implications of their eating behaviors on their baby’s future. However, during each prenatal consultation, they are asked to step on the scale. Why are health professionals so concerned about the number of pounds they “carry”?
This responds to the need to detect inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, and to prevent the consequences for the mother and her child. You should know that a deficit such as excess weight during pregnancy can lead to gestational diabetes or hypertension, in the case of the mother, and macrosomia (birth with a weight greater than that recommended), in the case of the future baby. These health problems can cause complications during pregnancy or childbirth, and put the mother or child at risk.
But the effects are not only immediate: excess gestational weight is also associated in the long term with an increased risk for the child of developing type 2 diabetes, overweight or obesity.
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So, what would be the recommended weight gain?
There is no “standard” number of pounds to gain when you are pregnant. The indications depend on each individual situation, as various factors come into account, such as initial weight before pregnancy, body mass index (BMI) or the expected number of babies (twins, triplets, etc.).
However, the Institute of Medicine of the United States (IOM) has established general recommendations based on pre-pregnancy BMI, which are widely accepted by all health professionals. Thus, a woman whose BMI before pregnancy was within the normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) could gain between 11.5 and 16 kg.
(In France, Health Insurance details the main recommendations of the American Institute of Medicine on its Ameli website, editor’s note).
Given these recommendations and the fact that pregnant women are quite sedentary – which does not help control weight – another question arises: what can future mothers do to promote the good nutritional status of their offspring?
Nutritional care for the baby begins during pregnancy
To promote adequate weight gain, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
The first trimester, in particular, is crucial for controlling and maintaining weight throughout the remainder of the pregnancy within recommended parameters. It is important not to “eat for two”, but rather to follow a healthy diet and pay attention to foods as well as portion sizes. It should also be borne in mind that energy requirements increase during pregnancy by approximately 300 kcal/day during the second and third trimesters.
Regarding exercise, numerous data indicate that pregnant women tend to reduce the frequency and intensity of their physical activity as their pregnancy progresses, despite the recommendations of professionals, who advise maintaining a level of exercise. Moderate exercise throughout pregnancy.
In the absence of a medical contraindication, activities such as brisk walking, swimming, Pilates, yoga or any other physical activity appropriate for each stage of pregnancy should be encouraged. However, pregnant women must listen to their body and adapt the intensity of exercise to their needs, avoiding excessive effort.
In summary, the sole objective of maintaining adequate weight gain is for the pregnant woman to “take care of herself for two”. This is to ensure the good health of the mother during pregnancy, her well-being and the optimal development of the baby. We must remember that the habits of pregnant women have an influence on the health of their offspring, which can be positive or negative…
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