During pregnancy, you should "control your mouth and move your legs"

Author: Zhao Aimei, deputy chief physician of Shandong Liaocheng Dongchangfu District Maternal and Child Health Hospital

Reviewer: Cai Rui, Chief Physician, Liaocheng Dongchangfu District Maternal and Child Health Hospital

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I believe all pregnant mothers will remember that every time they go to the hospital for a prenatal check-up, the question the obstetrician asks most often is "Have you weighed yourself? How much do you weigh?" This shows the importance of weight management during pregnancy to pregnant mothers and babies.

So, what are the harms of abnormal weight during pregnancy? And how to manage weight?

1. Abnormal weight during pregnancy is harmful to mother and child

Studies have shown that being overweight before pregnancy and gaining too much or too little weight during pregnancy will significantly increase the risk of weight-related complications for pregnant women and fetuses.

1. Excessive weight during pregnancy

Short-term impacts : It can cause gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, very large babies, dystocia, etc. It may also increase the incidence of fetal birth injuries and increase the risk of neonatal asphyxia and death.

Long-term impact : It will increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, etc. in newborns when they grow up.

2. Being underweight during pregnancy

Short-term impacts : It can lead to malnutrition, anemia in pregnant women, fetal growth retardation, even premature birth, low birth weight in newborns, and low immunity in newborns.

Long-term effects : Long-term effects on the fetus include increased incidence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and other diseases in adulthood.

2. How to scientifically manage weight during pregnancy

1. Pay attention to your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

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BMI=weight (kg)/height (m) squared.

2. According to the BMI weight gain range, control your weight during pregnancy according to whether you are having a single or twin pregnancy.

Table 1 The range of maternal weight gain in early pregnancy and the recommended weekly weight gain in mid- to late pregnancy

Table 2 Recommended weight gain values ​​for pregnant women with multiple pregnancies

3. Pay attention to a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and develop a good lifestyle.

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Pregnant women should pay attention to the following items on the basis of the dietary guidelines for the general population:

(1) Pay attention to folic acid supplementation, eat iron-rich foods, and choose iodized salt . During the entire pregnancy, you should take 400μg of folic acid supplements orally every day and ensure that you consume an appropriate amount of green leafy vegetables every day. In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, you should increase your intake of red meat by 20 to 50g per day, and eat animal offal or blood 1 to 2 times a week. In addition to insisting on using iodized salt, pregnant women should also eat iodine-rich seafood, such as kelp and seaweed.

( 2) For those who have severe morning sickness, they can eat small meals frequently to ensure that they consume foods containing the necessary amount of carbohydrates . Those who do not have obvious early pregnancy symptoms in the early stages of pregnancy should continue to maintain a balanced diet. Pregnant women with more obvious morning sickness or poor appetite do not need to overemphasize a balanced diet. Pregnant women must consume at least 130 g of carbohydrates per day, with easily digestible grains being the first choice. Those who eat less or have severe morning sickness should seek medical help.

(3) Increase the intake of milk, fish, poultry, eggs, and lean meat in the middle and late stages of pregnancy . Starting from the middle stage of pregnancy, increase the intake of milk by 200g per day, bringing the total milk intake to 500g per day. Increase the intake of fish, poultry, eggs, and lean meat by 50g per day in the middle stage of pregnancy, and increase it by about 75g in the late stage of pregnancy. It is best to eat deep-sea fish 2 to 3 times a week.

**(4) Engage in moderate exercise during pregnancy and maintain a suitable weight. **Appropriate weight gain during pregnancy helps achieve a good pregnancy outcome. In the early stages of pregnancy, weight changes are small and can be measured once a month. In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, weight should be measured weekly. Healthy pregnant women should engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.

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**(5) Avoid smoking and drinking, keep a happy mood, and actively prepare for breastfeeding. ** Pregnant women should avoid smoking and drinking, and avoid passive smoking and bad air. When pregnant women have mood swings, they should communicate more with family and friends, consult professionals, and appropriate outdoor activities and exercise can also help relieve stress and cheer up. After the second trimester, you should actively prepare for breastfeeding.