Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : September 16, 2016 6:26 PM IST
As an expecting mum, it is natural to notice some weight gain. Along with the baby weight, it is the weight of the breast tissue, the amniotic fluid and the increasing blood volume and the growing uterus that makes you weight high on the scale. Around 2-4kg pregnancy weight can be blamed to fat stores for breastfeeding and delivery. However, some women have the tendency to gain a lot more weight during pregnancy. We got gynaecologist Poonam Agarwal from Bombay Hospital to tell you signs that you will grow fat during pregnancy.
You are obese: Weight gain is a part of healthy pregnancy. However, if you are overweight or obese, you can be three times more likely to gain more weight during pregnancy as compared to women who started pregnancy at a healthy weight. Ideally, if you are underweight or your BMI is less than 18.5, you should gain 12 to 18 kg during pregnancy. If your BMI is within a normal range that is between 18.5 and 24.9 you should gain anything between 15 to 18kg during pregnancy. And if you are overweight, with BMI greater than 30, you should gain not more than 5 to 9 kg. Here are other symptoms that are absolutely normal during pregnancy.
You are stressed: If you get stressed out just by the thought of heading to the office, it could be a sign that you will pack on pounds later in your life and when you are pregnant. Stress increases the levels of cortisol which slows down your metabolism and leads to weight gain. If you are planning a baby, make time for yoga and meditation or just take a 15-minute walk outside your office to beat stress.
You do not get enough sleep: Do you regularly stay up watching Netflix? This habit may make you put on a lot of weight during pregnancy. Not getting enough sleep can increase cravings for sugar and fat-laden foods. It can also lower your metabolism. So aim for 7-8 hours of sleep to keep your metabolism humming and your appetite in check.
You eat more than what is required in the first stages of pregnancy: Many women think pregnancy equates eating for two and end up eating a lot in the early stages of pregnancy. But the fact is that the extra calorie requirement is relatively small, and you do not need additional calories during the first semester. You need an extra 340 calories in the second semester and 450 calories in the third semester. To put things in perspective, 340 calories would be equal to a medium sized apple, a cup of non-fat yoghurt and a handful of calories. All the extra calories consumed can make you put on a lot of weight during pregnancy. Did you know unhealthy weight gain during pregnancy can make you obese even seven years later.
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