Gaining weight during pregnancy is inevitable, in fact it is necessary since you will carry the weight of your uterus, the amniotic sac and all the weight that your baby is taking until the time of birth. But that you need to gain weight, does not mean that you should not worry and gain too many kilos. Being overweight is a problem for pregnant women but it is also for the baby.
In the same way, getting pregnant while being overweight previously can be just as problematic, so you should take into account certain issues if this is your case. It is not a simple matter of aesthetics, which only affects you, the weight in pregnancy directly affects the health of your future baby. However, there are many things you can do to improve your health while you are still pregnant. And many babies are born perfectly healthy even if their mother is overweight or obese.
Complications that can arise in pregnancy if you are overweight
Women who are overweight or obese during pregnancy have more chances of suffering from medical complications, some of these problems can be:
- High blood pressure with risk of preeclampsia, this type of pathology only occurs during pregnancy and can be very dangerous for both the future mother and the baby. The risks of developing pre-eclampsia increase with being overweight.
- Gestational diabetes, is a type of diabetes that appears during pregnancy. Although many women of normal weight have gestational diabetes, being overweight increases the risks.
- Risk of complications in childbirth and cesarean section, it is possible that the baby gains too much weight during pregnancy and this can complicate its exit through the birth canal.
- They increase the chances of having a preterm birth, this is so when the baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation. At this point it is still too early and the baby is not fully prepared to live outside the womb.
How to improve your pregnancy by being overweight
The main thing is that you go to your doctor, whether you are already pregnant and you are worried about being overweight, or if you are looking to stay fit. Your specialist will give you the necessary guidelines for everything to go well and take the least possible risk. Do not forget to go to all appointments with the doctor even if you are well, it is essential to have a follow-up in these cases.