In recent decades, obesity among fertile women has escalated to epidemic proportions. According to reports, the prevalence of obesity in women is 15.1% globally and 24.1% in Iran. The consequences of this issue not only impact women’s health but also have long-term effects on future generations. The long-term effects on kids are alarming, in addition to several serious outcomes associated with maternal obesity, such as congenital fetal anomalies, miscarriage, dysfunctional labor, pre-eclampsia, and stillbirth. It is clear that being obese increases the chance of being obese after becoming pregnant. heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and childhood neurodevelopmental problems. In this sense, combating childhood obesity has emerged as one of Iran’s top goals in recent years; yet, the available information suggested that there was a knowledge gap in the area of managing pregnant women’s and young children’s weight in the relevant national program.
Initially, Weight Gain
Becoming pregnant has likely made you more aware of the consequences of being overweight. Are you genuinely aware of your excess weight? Making practical decisions might be aided by accepting reality. It goes beyond the scale’s number. Also, you ought to be aware of your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a measure of estimated body fat that takes into consideration your height and weight. You are overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9. You are fat if it is thirty or greater. This is a calculator for your BMI if you don’t know. Make an effort to restrict your pregnancy-related weight gain. 11 to 20 pounds if your BMI is 30 or above.
You might naturally drop a little weight. Morning sickness can cause women to lose weight during the first trimester. Because mothers who are overweight have accumulated fat as a reserve of calories, their babies will still receive the nutrition that they need. So, it won’t harm your child if you lose a little weight naturally. Additionally, if you don’t increase your calorie intake, you’ll probably lose some weight because your body consumes more calories throughout pregnancy. Your body’s top job is to nourish your child. As the calories you consume go toward the baby’s growth, your body may resort to using fat stores to keep you going — resulting in weight loss.
- 15 to 25 pounds at a BMI of 25 to 29.9
- 11 to 20 pounds if your BMI is 30 or above
You might naturally drop a little weight. Morning sickness can cause women to lose weight during the first trimester. Because mothers who are overweight have accumulated fat as a reserve of calories, their babies will still receive the nutrition that they need. So, it won’t harm your child if you lose a little weight naturally. Additionally, if you don’t increase your calorie intake, you’ll probably lose some weight because your body consumes more calories throughout pregnancy. Your body’s top job is to nourish your child. As the calories you consume go toward the baby’s growth, your body may resort to using fat stores to keep you going — resulting in weight loss.
During Pregnancy, dieting is not advised. Consume the foods that will help you and your kid grow and stay healthy. Eat sensibly, to put it another way. Avoid or limit items that don’t have any nutritional value, but don’t go without food or limit your total intake. You can have a positive pregnancy experience and lower your chance of developing health issues by eating well and exercising sensibly. Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean sections are among the potential issues that are more likely in obese and overweight pregnant individuals.
Limiting your Consumption
“I might as well enjoy eating whatever I want, whenever I want since I’m going to gain weight anyhow.” Such a style of thinking may lead to excessive weight gain regardless of whether the pregnant lady is overweight. You don’t want to go there.
Your eating habits may also be impacted by mood changes, morning sickness, and other pregnancy-related side effects. Get ready. These three oral supplements have been shown to significantly improve your physical well-being throughout pregnancy. At the same time, they will contribute to better outcomes for you your and baby.
Do Not Forget to Take Your Prenatal Vitamin Daily
This is the simplest approach to guarantee that you and your child receive the nutrients you require. The good news is that there are now chewable, gummy, and tiny versions of prenatal vitamins available if you are among those who find it difficult to swallow pills.
It is recommended that pregnant women take 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day to help avoid neural tube abnormalities. According to certain research, plus-size women’s blood folate levels are lower than those of smaller women. (Although your body doesn’t absorb food-based folate as well as it does synthetic folate.)
In addition to other vitamins and minerals that your body might require, many prenatal vitamins have 600 mcg or more. Consult your physician to determine whether you require extra folic acid than 600 mcg when pregnant.
Sip a Lot of Water
Pregnant women are advised by the Institute of Medicine to consume ten 8-ounce glasses of water or other liquids every day. Because you have greater body mass than smaller women, plus-size women require more hydration. Your greatest bet for staying hydrated is water! Regretfully, a lot of doctors claim that when their patients tell them they’re thirsty, they consume soda, juice, or coffee.
Always carry a bottle of water with you. Drink it all during the day. Your pee should have a clear or light golden tint when you urinate. That indicates adequate hydration.
Drink even more water if you’re exercising or otherwise physically active, or if it’s hot outside.
Try presenting water more enticingly if nausea or morning sickness is preventing you from drinking it. Try flavor-infused sparkling water. Use your flavorings, such as strawberries or lemons.
Limit your intake of sweets and caffeine. Anything that contains refined sugar, such as sodas, lattes, and juice drinks, can cause blood sugar swings, which can lead to headaches and feelings of hunger. (If you choose to consume juice, make sure it’s pasteurized. It is not safe to consume unpasteurized juices while pregnant.)
Were you aware that soda without sugar could cause weight gain as well? Studies conducted by the American Diabetes Association have confirmed this, albeit the exact cause is still unknown.
Plan Your Meals and Consume Nutrient-Dense Foods
- Making a plan will help you stay out of the trap of just reaching for whatever is convenient when you’re hungry or have a need.
- You may monitor if you are getting adequate of the right nutrients and water each day by keeping a daily meal journal. Have a substantial breakfast first.
- Having a breakfast rich in fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrates will improve your mood throughout the day.
- Consume modest meals all day long. This helps reduce food cravings and episodes of hunger and maintains more stable blood sugar levels.
- Add protein to all of your meals and snacks. Avert anything made with processed white flour or refined sugar. This prevents hunger and helps to normalize your blood sugar levels.
Keep “good-for-you” snacks readily available and prepared in appropriate portions. Examples include a slice of whole grain toast with a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter; sliced cucumber or banana on whole grain bread; trail mix and nuts; Raw veggies with low-fat cheese or dressing; an apple with a handful of walnuts or almonds; smoothies (include flaxseed for fiber) in individual jars that you can take from the freezer; string cheese or cheese slices with whole grain crackers.
Activating Your Body
All expectant mothers should consult with their doctors regarding fitness before starting a program. However, for plus-size women, this is especially crucial. Carrying excess weight raises the risk of back pain and falls. Your center of gravity is shifted during pregnancy due to the additional weight in the front of the body. This raises the possibility that you will lose your equilibrium and fall. You experience increasingly frequent episodes of shortness of breath as your pregnancy progresses due to an increase in diaphragm pressure. Due to these bodily changes, pregnant women who are overweight or obese find it more difficult to exercise.
However, don’t let the extra weight be a reason for you to stop exercising! Exercise can lower the risk of C-sections, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, all of which are more prevalent in plus-size women. In addition to helping you lose pregnancy weight, exercise after giving birth lowers your risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is also more common in plus-size women.
Frequent exercise during pregnancy also improves general fitness, strengthens the heart and blood vessels, and reduces back discomfort and constipation. Therefore, it’s much more crucial to exercise these days.
Nearly all pregnant women, according to ACOG, can engage in moderate activity for at least 20 to 30 minutes most days of the week. It is recommended by the CDC that pregnant women engage in moderate-intensity aerobic activity for at least 150 minutes each week. While some ladies choose to work out for thirty minutes or longer once a day, others might opt for shorter workouts of ten minutes spread out throughout the day. Follow your path.
- Finding an exercise partner is one of the finest strategies to maintain a fitness regimen. It will support your accountability and inspiration!
Status of Pregnancy
Background and State of Health
Some of the moms highlighted the critical impact of their persistent genetic origins in addition to the fundamental factors that stressed mothers’ poor lifestyles as the main determinant of their overweight during pregnancy: “Like my mother’s family, who are all obese, I have been extremely obese since childhood” (24-year-old, nulliparous mother). Furthermore, individuals who had postponed pregnancy explained their obesity as a possible hormonal imbalance, which could have a detrimental effect on their attempts to lose weight: “We desired a child, but due to an elevated prolactin hormone, I was unable to conceive. According to my doctor, hormonal fluctuations are the cause of your weight increase.
I convinced myself that all of the weight loss efforts I made were ineffective (33-year-old nulliparous mother). Infertility treatments made this condition worse: “The hormone injections provided to treat my infertility are the cause of my weight increase. Weight gain was considered normal in this condition, according to the doctors (24-year-old nulliparous mother). In addition to the hormonal impacts, a sedentary lifestyle and more rest time were made worse by passing a high-risk pregnancy: “I was completely resting during my pregnancy because I was undergoing IVF treatment and under the supervision of a medical team.” A dietician recently joined because I’ve put on a lot of weight. Naturally, I am in the final week and I am swollen.
Perhaps for that reason.”That I don’t shed pounds.” (Mother nulliparous, 24 years old). The fetus was not in an acceptable state. Twice, I saw spots. I am a thirty-year-old nulliparous mother who has acquired a lot of weight and is entirely relaxed from the first few months. Some moms stated that their medical issues were the primary cause of their substantial weight gain during pregnancy, in addition to high-risk pregnancies: “I was skinny before marriage. Following my marriage, I experienced excruciating headaches as a result of numerous mental and neurological issues. An MRI later indicated that I had a tiny spinal channel in my neck.
In addition, I had to overeat before taking my medications as I had to use melatonin to treat my heart palpitations, which made me drowsy. I gained 35 kg even though I could have avoided my stomachache (33-year-old, nulliparous mother).
Unplanned Pregnancy
Many mothers in the current study reported that they had lost motivation to lose weight after becoming pregnant accidentally. Their food, sleeping habits, and daily routines were all disrupted by this uncomfortable circumstance, which led to more weight gain: “I weighed about 97 kg before I got pregnant, and I weigh 115 kg now.” I have no desire to reduce my weight. To be honest, as a multiparous mother of thirty-two years old, I purposefully skipped meals to induce an abortion. “To be honest, I did not intend to get pregnant quickly because my son is only 11 months old,” stated one of the mothers.
I am a 33-year-old multiparous mother who wishes she had waited at least five years after her first pregnancy to become pregnant again because she was quite overweight at the time of her first pregnancy. “I am a mother of two older daughters, and I regret to inform you that I became pregnant against my will this time. I made a concerted effort to get an abortion at first, but my doctor spoke with me a lot. I am not able to reduce weight after having a child; my spouse did not want to, and my conscience bothered me (the mother is 37 years old and multiparous).
In Conclusion
An overview of the obstacles preventing pregnant women from low socioeconomic backgrounds from managing their weight is given in this study. The findings may aid in the creation of suitable health plans for obese women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, these findings may serve as a reference for healthcare providers to take into account the symptoms and background of this particular group of women.