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Mother’s weight is very important during pregnancy. If you are underweight during pregnancy, it can affect your baby.
Whether you’re pregnant or not, weight matters. You should not be underweight or overweight to be healthy. If you are underweight and planning to get pregnant, you should gain more weight. Being overweight affects fertility, reducing the likelihood of conceiving. If you are pregnant, don’t be underweight. Because when a pregnant woman is overweight, it poses a risk to the baby’s well-being. When you plan to gain weight, make sure it is within a healthy range. This way you can support your baby’s growth and development. Read on to learn more about how being overweight during pregnancy can affect your baby.
How much should you weigh while pregnant?
During pregnancy, a woman’s weight can vary significantly depending on factors such as pre-pregnancy weight, height and overall health. If you were underweight before pregnancy and your body mass index (BMI) was less than 18.5, you should gain 28 to 40 pounds, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weight gain recommendations for pregnant women with one child. And if you’re pregnant with twins, gain 50 to 62 pounds, recommends the CDC.
Is it difficult to conceive if you are underweight?
When it comes to the chances of getting pregnant, a woman’s weight plays an important role. Here’s how being overweight affects fertility.
1. Menstrual cycle disruption
Irregular periods make it difficult to accurately predict ovulation, which is essential for conception. Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr Archana Ramesh says that if you don’t ovulate regularly, your chances of getting pregnant are significantly reduced.
2. Hormonal imbalance
Low body weight leads to reduced estrogen levels, which are critical for the development and release of mature eggs during each menstrual cycle. Inadequate estrogen levels disrupt the ovulation process, making it difficult to conceive.
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3. Risk of pregnancy complications
If pregnancy does occur, being overweight during pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as preterm birth.
4. Nutritional deficiencies
Underweight women are at risk of nutritional deficiencies, including vitamins and minerals critical to reproductive health. Nutritional deficiencies adversely affect fertility by affecting hormone production, egg quality and overall reproductive performance.
How does being overweight during pregnancy affect the baby?
According to a 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 42.2 percent of women in India were overweight when they started their pregnancy journey.
Being underweight during pregnancy is not good because it has significant effects on both the mother and the baby, affecting various aspects of health and development.
1. Low birth weight
Babies born to low birth weight mothers are at a higher risk of low birth weight, which is linked to various health problems. Low birth weight babies experience difficulties with temperature regulation, feeding and immune function, increased likelihood of hospitalization and long-term health problems.
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2. Premature birth
Low birth weight pregnant women are more likely to deliver prematurely, before completing the full term of pregnancy (37 weeks). Experts explain that premature birth increases the risk of complications such as respiratory distress syndrome, jaundice and infections, and the baby’s organs may not be fully developed to function outside the womb.
3. Weak immune system
Pregnant women who are underweight can compromise immune function, which affects the development of the baby’s immune system. Babies born to underweight mothers have weakened immune systems, making them vulnerable to infections and illnesses during childhood.
4. Nutritional deficiencies
Malnutrition of the mother during pregnancy leads to inadequate supply of nutrients to the developing fetus. Nutritional deficiencies in the womb can harm the overall health of the baby and increase the risk of conditions such as anemia, poor bone development and organ dysfunction.
What should underweight women do to gain weight for pregnancy?
Underweight women preparing for pregnancy should focus on following a balanced and nutrient-dense diet to support healthy weight gain. That means increasing calorie intake by including healthy, calorie-dense foods in their meals, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, healthy fats, lean proteins, whole grains and dairy products. Eating frequent, small meals throughout the day can also help increase calorie intake. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids for fetal development.
Gaining weight before pregnancy can help underweight women achieve a healthy weight, improve their chances of conceiving and support a healthy pregnancy, says Dr Ramesh. This provides an opportunity to optimize nutritional status and address any underlying health issues prior to conception.
Weight gain during pregnancy is also necessary to support the growth and development of the baby. Adequate weight gain during pregnancy is associated with better birth outcomes and reduces the risk of complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight.
The best approach is for women to strive for a healthy weight before becoming pregnant and to gain weight gradually during pregnancy.
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