Pregnancy Weight Guidelines are Changing

August 17th, 2007

Several decades ago, doctors routinely told their pregnant patients to gain about 25 pounds but no more than 35 pounds. Today, however, more expectant mothers may already be overweight or obese before conceiving. In these instances, weight gain guidelines should be reduced.

According to the March of Dimes, carrying too much weight while pregnant increases risks to mother and baby. These complications can include birth defects, problems with labor and delivery, death of the fetus, or delivery of very large babies. Overweight mothers are also more likely to produce babies who are too heavy as toddlers.

Setting appropriate pregnancy weight gain guidelines can be aided by referring to the woman’s body mass index (BMI) at the time she conceives. BMI is a combination of height and weight. Women with a “normal” body mass index are still encouraged to gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Women who are especially thin may be encouraged to gain up to 40 pounds. For those with a higher BMI (over 26), 15 pounds of weight gain may be more appropriate.

In 2003, about 1 in 4 expectant women in the U.S. gained more than 40 pounds during their pregnancy, up from 1 in 5 in 1990. Many women are putting on 50 or 60 pounds with their pregnancies, which can cause complications such as gestational diabetes. Obstetricians point out that an obese woman already has stored nutrients and does not need much additional weight to provide for her developing baby.

Women would do well to get their weight under control before becoming pregnant. Once conception has occurred, eating a healthy diet and engaging in moderate exercise are important for both mother and developing child.

Source:  CNN.com

Entry Filed under: OBESITY,PREGNANCY & BIRTH,Pregnancy & Birth,WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE