Weight loss in late pregnancy means boy

In the late stages of pregnancy, many pregnant women will experience certain physical changes. For example, many women in the late stages of pregnancy will experience weight loss. Some people also believe that this is a sign of giving birth to a boy. In fact, there is no necessary connection between weight loss in the late pregnancy and the birth of a boy or girl. This may be caused by the fact that the pregnant woman’s nutrition is not keeping up. Next, I will introduce you to some relevant knowledge about pregnant women’s weight!

1. Why does pregnant women lose weight?

Pregnant women around 6 weeks of pregnancy may experience food selectivity, loss of appetite, mild nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, etc. This is called early pregnancy reaction, also known as vomiting during pregnancy. Most women do not need treatment for these reactions, and they have little impact on their life and work, and they disappear on their own around 12 weeks of pregnancy. A small number of women react severely, with persistent vomiting and even inability to eat or drink. This is called hyperemesis gravidarum. Vomiting during pregnancy is related to hormone metabolism and mental and emotional instability. Mild reactions may include repeated vomiting, anorexia, picky eating, weakness, and sometimes accompanied by insomnia and constipation; severe reactions may include frequent vomiting, inability to eat or drink, and the vomit may contain bile or coffee-colored blood in addition to food and mucus. At the same time, there is general fatigue, obvious weight loss, less urination, and water and electrolyte imbalance. Severe vomiting during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the health of pregnant women and the growth and development of the fetus. This is because severe vomiting during pregnancy deprives pregnant women of nutrients, but they still have to supply the fetus with more and more nutrients. These nutrients can only be met from the nutrients stored in the mother's body to meet the needs of fetal growth, which causes the mother to lose weight, reduce resistance, and become more susceptible to disease. If dehydration and acidosis occur, it will threaten the lives of the pregnant woman and fetus, and rescue measures must be taken.

2. Dietary considerations in late pregnancy

In the last three months of pregnancy, the fetus grows fast and needs adequate nutrition, so the dietary principles for pregnant women at this time are:

1. Do not be picky eaters or restrict your diet;

2. Avoid excessive sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty foods. Eat small meals frequently and choose foods that are easily digestible.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables, fish, meat and eggs are essential.

3. Nutritional principles in late pregnancy

First of all, protein intake should be increased. This period is a time when relatively more protein is stored in the body, with about 170g retained in the fetus and about 375g retained in the mother. This requires that the dietary protein supply of pregnant women increase by 25g compared to non-pregnant women, and they should consume more animal and soy foods.

Secondly, sufficient essential fatty acids should be supplied. This period is the peak period of fetal brain cell growth, and sufficient essential fatty acids such as arachidonic acid are needed to meet the needs of brain development. Eating more marine fish can help supply DHA.

The third is to increase the intake of calcium and iron. More than half of the calcium in the fetus is stored in the late pregnancy. Pregnant women should consume 1500 mg of calcium daily and supplement with an appropriate amount of vitamin D. The fetal liver stores iron at a rate of 5 mg per day during this period, reaching 300-400 mg of iron by birth. Pregnant women should consume 28 mg of iron per day, and should consume more hemoglobin-type iron from animal foods. Pregnant women should consume dairy products, fish and soy products regularly. It is best to fry small fish or crisp them with vinegar and eat them with the bones, and drink pork rib soup. Shrimp skin is rich in calcium, so a small amount can be added to the soup; animal liver and blood are high in iron and have a high utilization rate, so they should be selected frequently.

The fourth is to take in adequate vitamins. Adequate water-soluble vitamins are needed in the late stages of pregnancy, especially thiamine. Deficiency of thiamine can easily cause vomiting, fatigue, and weak uterine contractions during delivery, leading to delayed labor.

The fifth is heat energy. The supply amount is the same as that in the second trimester and there is no need to supplement too much, especially in the last month of the third trimester. The intake of saturated fat and carbohydrates should be appropriately limited to prevent the fetus from being too large and affecting smooth delivery.