It's Not Me, It's The Baby!

"Obesity has been described as the new worldwide epidemic, and as the (rate) of obesity increases, so does the number of women of reproductive age who are becoming overweight and obese." So says Dr. Mostafa Metwally from the University of Sheffield in the UK. It appears that excessive weight gain or obesity has an effect on the mother and baby during the pregnancy.

A recent study of 40,000 U.S. women, found that mothers who gain more than 40 pounds during pregnancy are more likely to have a heavy baby. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, babies who weigh more than 9 pounds at birth are considered heavy. This is significant because studies suggest that heavy babies are programmed to become overweight or obese later in life. Excessive weight gain during pregnancies has become a growing problem and researchers speculate that this may be partly responsible for the epidemic of childhood obesity that we now face.

Excessive weight also appears to increase the chances of miscarriage, according to a review study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. The study showed that overweight or obese women were 67% more likely to have a miscarriage that their normal weight counterparts.

So, how do expecting mothers keep from gaining excessive weight during pregnancy? According to the experts, proper nutrition is the first step for both mother and child. Choosing the right foods is important because you will be able to loose weight more quickly after delivery if you manage your diet during pregnancy. Experts also recommend that expecting mothers drink more water. Drinking water helps flush toxins from your system and helps prevent excessive edema. Studies suggest that weight gain associated with edema(fluid retention) can be limited if you drink more water! Lastly, you should remain physically active. Physical activity has terrific benefits that are associated with a better pregnancy outcome and even shorter labors.

With the obesity epidemic reaching alarming proportions, it is important that all methods of curbing the problem are explored. Establishing a healthy lifestyle for children from the beginning creates the template that hopefully will shape how they continue to live. Thanks for your ear and keep reading!