I can’t gain weight during pregnancy: is it dangerous for the baby?
How to gain weight during pregnancy if the woman is underweight or has had nutritional problems?
Request
I am in the 5th month of pregnancy. Unfortunately up to now I have lost 2-3 kilos because I have had a lot of nausea. Now I thought I had put on something instead at the visit when they weighed me I was still at the same weight as 20 days ago. The gynecologist told me that for the next visit (in two months) I must at least have regained the lost kilos. Could you recommend me a way to take them right? Maybe some food that can be good for me and the baby? In my family my grandmother also tended not to gain weight during pregnancy but I wouldn’t want this to hurt the baby.
Answer
Dear mum,
it is undoubtedly important to reach the right weight and follow a regular pattern of weight gain, this will help your baby to grow properly.
Below is an extract from an article that can be found on www.eufic.org (it is a very interesting site with authoritative sources which talks about food, nutrition, food safety and more)
“ Advice regarding optimal weight to achieve during pregnancy is still under debate.
The World Health Organization has shown that optimal birth weight of 3.1–3.6 kg is associated with maternal weight gain of 10–14 kg. 4
The American Institute of Medicine guidelines for weight gain in pregnancy suggest that underweight pregnant women should gain 12.5–18 kg, normal women 11.5–16 kg, overweight women 7–18 kg 11.5 kg and obese pregnant women of 5–9 kg. 5 Rapid weight loss or excessive dieting during pregnancy is potentially dangerous, leading to keto acidosis, which can be associated with the death of the baby or with cognitive impairment later in the baby’s life. Mothers who excessively reduce their dietary intake may inadvertently put their children at greater risk of obesity. 6
- Rasmussen KM &Yaktine AL (eds.), US Institute of Medicine (2009). Weight gain during pregnancy: reexamining the guidelines. Washington, US
- EARNEST (2009). Obesity risk for kids increases when moms-to-be diet: http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.document&N_RCN=30846
- Poston L et al. (2011). Obesity in pregnancy: implications for the mother and lifelong health of the child. A consensus statement. Pediatr Res 69:175–180.”
How to gain weight during pregnancy with an adequate diet rich in essential nutrients
- Eat 5 meals a day , breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner
- Eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables (150g fruit and 200g vegetables) every day, which means that at least one portion of fruit or vegetables should be present at each meal, whichever is better!
- Insert foods containing fiber such as whole grains (spelt, barley, brown rice) and their flours, legumes and green leafy vegetables, they will help you take vitamins and minerals not present in refined cereals as well as maintain bowel regularity. important in pregnancy.
- Take a couple of servings (125g) of milk and yoghurt daily for calcium.
- You can consume if you like, dried fruit , for example at breakfast and added to yogurt or as a snack every day. It contains good fats and vitamins that are great for your baby and for you. It also has a high energy content and this can help you gain weight without having to overindulge in snacks, sweets that can instead raise blood sugar too much and contain less healthy fats.
- Consume at least two portions of fish a week , if possible oily fish, such as salmon, they are always good fats that are good for you and your baby.
- If you need to gain weight, have a first course, a second course and a side dish with bread for each main meal. For breakfast, always consider a portion of dairy products (milk or yogurt or cottage cheese), a piece of fruit or juice with no added sugar, and a portion of cereal or bread, or rusks or biscuits.
- Slightly increase the usual portions, 10-20 grams more is enough.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.