Many women wonder if it is safe for weight loss during pregnancy and although it is alright to lose some weight during the first trimester, it isn’t safe throughout your entire pregnancy. The main reason why many women do have weight loss during pregnancy is that they suffer from a lot of morning sickness and vomit a lot. However, if you find yourself losing weight during your second and third trimester’s, you may want to speak with your OBGYN since losing too much weight can harm the baby.
Reasons for Weight Loss During Pregnancy
Although the main reason for losing weight during your first trimester is because of the morning sickness you are experiencing, there are a few other reasons too. Morning sickness may make you vomit, which in turn can cause weight loss. However, the morning sickness you experience is during your first trimester, so there is no reason to worry.
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Overweight and Obesity
Morning sickness can cause pregnancy weight loss, but so can being overweight or obese. The problem with already being overweight and getting pregnant is that you are limited to the amount of weight you can safely gain during pregnancy. However, losing weight during pregnancy when overweight can allow for some weight loss due to the extra fat that is stored and is used to power the pregnancy.
Eating Better and Exercising More
Another reason for some weight loss when pregnant is because of some women who tend to start eating better and exercising more to care for themselves and for the baby they are carrying. Because of this, they could lose some weight when pregnant, and it is healthy and safe to lose a little weight, especially during the first trimester. However, if you find that you are losing too much weight and it is already past your first trimester, you need to get a hold of your doctor right away.
Why Losing Weight During Pregnancy is Dangerous
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As mentioned previously, losing some weight during pregnancy is common, especially during the first couple of months during your pregnancy. However, too much weight loss is dangerous and can cause problems for you and your baby.
Weight Loss When Pregnant Can Harm the Baby
The main reason you should be concerned if you are losing too much weight when pregnant is that doing so can harm the baby, even kill him or her, according to GirlsGoneStrong.com. Because of this, if you are losing too much weight during your pregnancy or losing weight period after your second trimester begins, you will be better off letting your doctor know immediately. The reason for this is because your doctor will need to keep track of your baby’s vital signs and growth in the womb.
Other Reasons Why Excessive Pregnancy Weight Loss is Bad News
Not only is losing too much weight when you’re pregnant bad news for your baby, but it is also not good for you. If you find you quickly lose weight while pregnant, or if you are losing too much weight, you need to speak with your OBGYN. The reason is that it could be a few things causing the weight loss. The conditions you may have that are causing excessive weight loss during pregnancy include the following:
- Hyperemesis
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Fluctuations in water retention throughout the day
- Poor baby growth
- Low amniotic fluid
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Pregnancy-induced preeclampsia
What You Can Do For Weight Loss During Pregnancy
Yes, you may lose weight during your first trimester due to morning sickness and vomiting; however, your weight loss may be caused by the things mentioned above. There are things you can do to stop the weight loss and even prevent yourself from losing any more weight.
Talk to Your Doctor
The very first thing you should do is talk to your doctor about the weight loss, what is causing it if it isn’t morning sickness, and what you can do about it. Your doctor will talk to you about proper nutrition and exercise when pregnant. He or she will also run tests to find out if anything serious is causing the weight loss. If he or she does find something too dangerous, they will do what they have to do to help you and your baby.
Don’t ever be afraid to talk to your doctor. If you have a problem with gaining weight when pregnant, you may need to speak to a counselor about your body image concerns. Don’t be afraid to talk to a counselor either. Let them know your concerns about getting a little bigger during your pregnancy. Your counselor will give you the resources you need to be able to get through the weight gain.
After you have your baby, you can then do whatever you want or need to do to lose the weight, safely.
Take Pre-Natal Vitamins
You should take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. Taking these will help keep your healthy weight maintained, so you don’t lose too much. However, make sure to choose one with a reduced dose of iron since taking these can make nausea worse.
Eat Whenever You Can
If you have terrible morning sickness and haven’t been able to eat as much because of it, you will need to eat whenever you can stand it. You might have to force yourself a little since you are pregnant. Remember, you are taking care of a baby, and whatever you eat or drink, he or she will also consume. For this reason, you will need to eat as soon as you can stand to.
Try eating smaller meals. The problem with having an empty stomach due to morning sickness is that it can cause your nausea to get worse. An empty stomach can also cause low blood sugar. Because of this, try to eat before you start feeling hungry and make sure to eat healthily. Keep healthy snacks near you. You can also have lean meats, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats.
Drink Plenty of Water
You should be drinking at least two to three liters of water every day. Drinking enough water will help keep you hydrated. It is vital for you to stay hydrated while you are carrying the most precious cargo in the world in your womb.
Eat Ginger
Even if it is just a little bit, you should eat some ginger to help with the morning sickness. You can eat ginger cookies and candies and even drink ginger ale to help ease nausea. When you treat your nausea, you will help yourself gain healthy weight and stop yourself from getting sick and losing excessive amounts of weight.
Get More Sleep
Catch up on your sleep by getting more of it. Getting enough rest will help reduce stress too and help you with your appetite problems, allowing you to eat more. You need to eat as often as possible to help keep you and your baby healthy.
Now that you know what may be causing your weight loss during pregnancy and what you can do to stop it, you can enjoy a stress-free, healthy and happy pregnancy with your partner or spouse.
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