Pregnancy weight gain is natural
Whether it is during or after pregnancy, pregnancy weight loss and pregnancy weight gain are prevalent issues that women mull over.
Most women are aware of the need to eat well during pregnancy and to even take pregnancy supplements of some sorts to ensure their baby is getting the best nutrition. However, it is quite astonishing that mums will often take more of an interest in their nutritional intake when they are pregnant but as soon as the baby is born, the interest in nutrition takes a back seat.
The same approach on the importance of nutrition and health during pregnancy should also be taken post-pregnancy to ensure you live a long, healthy and happy life!
Weight gain during pregnancy is completely natural and imperative to ensure that the baby is getting the best support. The average weight gain during pregnancy is between 12-14 kilos. We all know that putting weight on during pregnancy is very easy however pregnancy weight loss on the other hand, takes a bit more time and patience.
It is common knowledge that the real skill during pregnancy is to not put on too much weight during pregnancy to make it easier to lose afterwards. However, we all know that this is easier said than done especially when we are tired and feely moody – not to mention the constant food cravings! Even if you stay away from over-indulging on too much junk food, you can still p
ut on a lot of extra weight from eating too much ‘normal’ food as your appetite is increased – even though you only really need an extra 300 calories a day for your baby.
Pregnancy weight loss is achievable
So, let’s now talk about pregnancy weight loss. Not content with the world putting a huge amount of pressure on mums as it is, research from the Cochrane Report 2007 concludes that mums who do not regain their pre pregnancy weight within 6 months have a much higher risk of being overweight 10 years later. How depressing.
Oh, but it goes on – the study also showed that on average women retained 40% of their baby weight one year after their baby was born and that younger and first time mums were the ones most likely to put on extra weight.
This may not be the case for celebrity mums, but my tip is to take no notice of them at all – as they have the means, time and finance to maintain pregnancy weight loss. Don’t be tempted to buy the magazine which says “see inside for how Courtney/Jessica/Angelina/Gwen lost her baby weight”, as it will only serve to depress you and make you feel in adequate. Many will go onto extreme diets, take all kinds of weight loss drugs (many black market), have a personal trainer every day and some even have surgery to remove the fat straight away. If you want to have realistic expectations, then you will soon realise that pregnancy weight loss needs to be taken in a healthy and respectful way.
Forget about pregnancy weight loss in the first few months after giving birth – The fact is that in the first few months all you should focus on recovering from the birth and bonding with your baby – and getting used to a lot less sleep. Your focus should not be “lose weight, lose weight”.
Once your body is ready to undertake pregnancy weight loss, the good news is that you can still focus on weight loss and continue breast feeding. And did you know that breast feeding burns up 500 calories a day so it is a good way to help shift the weight (please see our specific breastfeeding information page and our breastfeeding safe weight loss plans page).
If you are embarking on a pregnancy weight loss plan or taking supplements you need to be aware of what you are taking as the baby will intake the products too through the milk. With the products we recommend, they are safe to take whilst breast feeding but we do not advocate some supplements and vitamins that are on the market until you are finished breastfeeding or unless you have discussed it with your Doctor
For more information on pregnancy weight loss while breastfeeding, please see our breastfeeding page.
Please note that this site is for information only and should not replace any medical advice from a Doctor
