Pregnancy is a beautiful and challenging phase of your life.
It is beautiful because of the happiness that lies within your anticipation of giving birth to a healthy, huggable baby after nine months.
It’s challenging as your body is in constant flux. You will swell, the skin will change and you will gain weight.
Weight gain is one of the most noticeable changes in pregnancy. After all, your body changes as your baby grows inside you. Mummy-to-be’s healthy weight gain is related to the health and well-being of the growing baby.
But, in a number of ways, you may be overweight or obese. Being overweight may not positively affect your pregnancy or your baby inside you.
How does obesity affect your pregnancy health?
If your pregnancy weight is 30 or more, your health professional will closely monitor your health as well as the health of the baby inside you. Your weight will tell you a lot about complications during your pregnancy. Pregnancy risk factors include:
Gestational Diabetes
Usually, your doctor will have you screened for diabetes at 24u and 28u week of your pregnancy. However, if the doctor finds that your pregnancy body mass is 30 or more than that in the first trimester, he will immediately have you tested for gestational diabetes. With higher blood sugar or glucose levels during your pregnancy, there are chances of giving birth to a large-sized baby.
Hypertension and Preeclampsia
A systolic reading above 140 or above 90 is considered high blood pressure or hypertension during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is also a serious type of gestational hypertension. Both of these pregnancy health conditions take place during the second stage of pregnancy and there are chances of liver and kidney failure. Along with this, the chances of heart problems – stroke or heart attack cannot be denied.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Insomnia is common during pregnancy. However, with obesity, you will be faced with breathing for short periods while you sleep. Such abnormal gaps in breathing while you sleep can make you feel tired and increase your chances of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, preeclampsia, as well as heart problems.
How does pregnancy obesity affect the future baby and newborn baby?
Being overweight or obese also causes problems for the growing baby inside you. There is a risk that your baby will develop an increased risk of birth defects, for example, neural tube defects (NTDs) as well as heart defects.
With your weight, at the time of delivery, the baby’s shoulder may be “stuck”. This is something known as ‘Shoulder Dystocia’.
There are chances of giving birth to a baby that is bigger than normal. Besides that, with your weight, you may medically need an emergency C-section. This means you can deliver your baby on the 39thu week or before. (Premature babies may develop the risk of long-term and short-term health problems).
Additionally, a newborn’s weight is based on several factors – genetics or when the expectant parents have pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. That said, a 2019 study found that babies born by C-section are more likely to be overweight because of their gut bacteria, which are different than those born vaginally.
So, are you feeling scared and worried?
Try not to feel that way. No problem is permanent. If you’re overweight or obese during your pregnancy, there’s a lot you and your doctor can do to help manage it. You can lose weight by incorporating healthy habits during your pregnancy – such as maintaining a healthy diet and staying active.
Encouraging yourself to stay fit and healthy can be a little difficult while you are embracing motherhood, as well as when you hold the newborn in your arms. But the aforementioned pregnancy and newborn issues can keep you on your toes.
Moreover, with these tips and advice, you can keep yourself healthy and your weight in balance.
Besides, a balanced weight can help you overcome the complications of your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.
For more information on maternal and new mom health, follow the Cordlife India blog page.
