Have you ever wondered why it doesn't take very long for
celebrities to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight? This is
because while they are pregnant, they only gain the weight
necessary to grow a health baby.
"Extra weight" refers to weight that is not gained by the
forming of the baby, its blood supply, womb, and placenta. Many
doctors believe that healthy women can have a healthy baby
without gaining any extra and unnecessary weight. The following
advice will help to keep extra pounds off.
Normal vs. Excessive Weight Gain
Normal weight gain will slowly melt away after the baby's
birth, but extra weight gain will remain for a much longer
period. During pregnancy, if you are at a healthy weight, you
should gain 25 to 35 pounds; if you are underweight, you should
gain 28 to 40 pounds; and an overweight woman should gain 15 to
25 pounds. These pounds should be gained gradually throughout
the pregnancy. The first trimester sees a loss of 2-4 pounds,
and then 1 or 2 pounds a week are gained after that until a
woman reaches full-term.
What, exactly, does all that extra weight do? This is the
weight of not only your growing baby, but your uterus, inner
tissues and more bodily resources that are needed to make your
baby grow healthily. This is a pound-by-pound breakdown of that
extra weight:
The baby weighs about 7 or 8 pounds and your uterus accounts
for 2 to 5 more pounds.
The placenta, which surrounds the baby, accounts for 2 to 3
pounds.
Expanding breast tissue should weigh around 2 to 3 pounds,
and the fat stored for breast feeding and delivery should weigh
around 5 to 9 pounds.
The amniotic fluid should weigh 2 to 3 pounds.
The baby's blood supply should weigh about 4 pounds.
Generally speaking, anything more than this is superfluous
weight that a baby really doesn't need to thrive. This weight is
what women find the most difficult to lose after the baby comes.
Eating for Two
"Eating For Two" is a myth that can encourage expecting mothers
to gain extra unnecessary weight. The fittest celebrity moms
know that women only need an extra 100 to 300 calories per day
for the development of a healthy baby. This amounts to about an
apple and a bowl of cereal. It might disappoint you to know, but
if you are eating portions larger than that, your body is more
than likely storing those extra calories as fat. You probably
won't notice the extra fat while you are pregnant, but you
certainly will when you are trying your hardest to fit into your
pre-pregnancy jeans.
In order to keep yourself from gaining unwanted weight, you
must try your hardest not to indulge in those pregnancy
cravings. Start making healthier food choices, such as eating
fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole wheat bread.
This good nutrition is essential for your developing baby, and
has the added benefit of helping to keep your body in good
shape.
Move that Baby Bump
Have you ever noticed that the pictures of pregnant celebrities
usually show them out walking? Ever think about why that is?
Medical experts agree that normal exercise is fine for healthy,
pregnant women. Going for lengthy walks is great for burning off
those extra calories consumed during cravings for sweets, and
getting your circulation going helps to regulate mood swings.
Just another celebrity secret!
Keep in mind that these tips are only for healthy women who
have discussed the pros and cons of gaining extra weight during
pregnancy with their doctors. It is not advised that women try
to avoid gaining weight while pregnant. Not gaining enough
weight during pregnancy can cause unhealthy side effects for the
mother and baby. Just be sure to check with your doctor before
beginning any weight loss or exercise routine, especially while
expecting!
