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Obesity and Pregnancy: Facts that you should Know

Obesity and Pregnancy Facts that you should Know
For women who just gave birth or had experienced giving birth, you probably knew that being overweight or much worse, obese, can highly upset your ob-gynecologist. Obesity and pregnancy don’t jive together and will pose many health risks for you and for your baby. The more obese or overweight you are, the more health risks your pregnancy will be.


When obesity and pregnancy collide, there are many theories that are being thrown in the table to support their claim about the involved health risks. Factors such as malnutrition and respiratory health risks are common in obese people which is particularly a big thing for women who want to conceive.


What do you really need to know about this issue? With many myths and facts surrounding this type of health condition, getting a professional advise from your doctor is the best way to a healthy delivery. This article will help you to define some information about the health risks of obesity and pregnancy.

Why Obesity and Pregnancy is a compatible health risk?


obesity and pregnancyFirst off, women who have metabolic problems such as diabetes and obesity, do have some difficulties in conceiving a baby because of too much saturated fatty acids in their ovaries. For diabetics, unstable embryonic development occurs which leads to pregnancy failure.


The stored fats are processed as metabolism decreases, resulting to a higher level of fatty acids within the ovary. This acids are toxic for the growing eggs before it reaches ovulation. It will also affect the eggs development in the ovary which highly prevent pregnancy.


Diabetes and saturated fatty acids in the ovaries doesn’t only lead to failed pregnancy, it can also cause other health complications. Common health complications of obesity that also hinders pregnancy includes hypertension, heart failure, breathing or respiratory problems and many others. Miscarriage and infertility are also common to obese women while Gestational Diabetes are also a high risk for overweight women during their pregnancy. These complications can also occur during labor and birth, sometimes resulting to a big baby delivery which often performed under cesarean operation.


Obesity can also cause preterm birth, a delivery with incomplete pregnancy period (birth before reaching 37 weeks of normal pregnancy). This time, the complications is passed to your baby which can be fatal to your baby’s survival. Most often, the baby suffers from overweight and will have higher probability of becoming obese during childhood.


Being overweight or obese during pregnancy can ultimately lead to death for both mother and the baby. It could occur depending on the severity of the complications and could happen during pregnancy period or on the actual delivery. A serious and thorough medical supervision by a Ob-gynecologist is highly recommended if you happen to have metabolic issues.

What to do to improve your chances of successful pregnancy?


If you are obese and want to have a successful pregnancy, you can do some simple and practical ways to achieve a healthy pregnancy as well as a healthy baby. One thing is certain, never rush yourself to get pregnant if you know you are overweight. You need to trim down your weight first before you can actually have a higher probability of healthy pregnancy. Below are some guidelines that you should first follow before trying to conceive a baby.


A preconception checkup is highly advisable. Your physician will examine your body thoroughly to give you a precise health recommendations suitable to a healthy pregnancy. This is a very important step to ensure your health before you get pregnant.


A healthy diet is also important. Usually, your ob-gyne can give you some basic food recommendations with regards to pre-pregnancy eating plan, but dietitians can exactly give you the right diet formula that is based on your age, weight, height and other physical factors such as your work rate. You can try Amanda Hamilton’s diet regimen for healthy and fitter body.

Keep your other health conditions in check. Underlying diseases are a big problem in pregnancy, thus should be first treated or consulted to your doctor. Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is possible for obese women if they can avoid obesity-related complications through proper treatment and regular checkup.


Exercise regularly. Plan your workout routines ahead of your target pregnancy date. This can help you to benefit more from your exercise regimen and lose more weight before pregnancy.


What about a healthy baby during pregnancy? Of course, regular prenatal care will always be the best way to ensure the safety of your baby. It is also good to note that weight gain is a usual process during pregnancy (about 15 to 25 pounds) and it is best to talk to your physician on how to control weight gain if you are obese.


You can also do some exercises during pregnancy months as this can help make you strong. Known workouts for pregnant women includes yoga, swimming, weight training and many others. The goal is not to lose weight during pregnancy so don’t force yourself to lose weight but instead, keep it as a health regimen for your pregnancy. Also, consult your physician on what exercise program is more ideal for your body weight.

What are the alternative ways if you want to lose weight fast before getting pregnant?


Having a fitter and healthy body is the best option to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Some women tends to apply the short route to weight loss especially if they are planning to conceive a baby. There are two ways to lose weight fast – weight loss surgery and weight loss supplements.

Weight Loss surgery


Weight loss surgery is the fastest way to lose weight without the hassle of diet and strenuous exercise. There are approximately over 50,000 women each year in the United States who have undergone this procedure. Research suggests that this procedure are much more pregnancy-friendly alternative for obese women as it helps lessen fertility problems and pregnancy complications.


However, weight loss surgery is not advisable if you are pregnant because rapid weight loss may pose health risks for your baby. Plus, most weight loss surgery patients are advised to wait at least one year before getting pregnant.

Weight Loss supplements


Weight loss supplements or commonly known as diet pills are not advisable during pregnancy period. No diet pill companies have provide precised clinical trials to ensure safe weight loss, what more for pregnancy? It may cause more harm than good for your baby. You essentially need natural nutrients from plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables to supply your baby’s nutritional needs. So again, never try to lose weight during pregnancy.


Diet pills are best applied before you get pregnant. But of course, you have to put some leeway between your diet pill program and your planned pregnancy date. This is to avoid some weight loss supplement-caused health complications such as birth defects, preterm birth and many others. Ask your doctor about the application of diet pills for your pre-pregnancy weight loss program.


In summary, obesity and pregnancy both promotes health risks if mixed together. However, you can do something about it to prevent any unwanted health complications and even death. Ensure both you and your baby’s life by staying physically healthy before, during and post-pregnancy endeavors.
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