Having a Healthy Pregnancy

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Many plus-sized women are able to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, despite the increased risk for complications.  There are some steps that can be taken to reduce those risks.

• Pre-pregnancy weight reduction:
• Losing even just 5-7% of your weight (approximately 10-12 pounds) can greatly reduce the risks associated with obesity and pregnancy
• Studies have shown that women who reduced their BMI by as little as two units decreased the risk for larger than gestational age infants by 40%
• This also reduces the risk for gestational diabetes and increases the likelihood that the mother can deliver vaginally rather than by c-section
• Adhere to the Institute of Medicine’s recommended pregnancy weight gain guidelines while still maintaining good nutrition:
• 12.5-18.0 kg for those who are underweight before pregnancy
• 11.5-16.0 kg for those who are at a healthy weight before pregnancy
• 7.0-11.5 kg for those who are overweight before pregnancy
• 5.0-9.0 kg for those who are obese before pregnancy
• Talk to your doctor about risks that are specific to you… based on not only your size, but also genetic factors and family history.
• Attend all of your prenatal appointments so your doctor can monitor you for signs of complications, high blood pressure, etc. 
• Live a healthier lifestyle!  Practice good nutrition and stay active.  
• You know the drill:  fruits, veggies, and physical activity.  

Healthy momsàhealthy babies

References

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  Obesity and pregnancy.  Retrieved from http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Obesity-and- Pregnancy#overweight

Ramsey, P., Schenken, R., Lockword, C., Pi-Sunyer, X., & Barss, V.  (2017). Obesity in pregnancy:  Complications and maternal management, UpToDate.   Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/obesity-in-pregnancy-complications- and-maternal-management

Squibb, L. (2014).  Pregancy, delivery, and childhood obesity.  International Journal of Childbirth Education, 29(2), 73-77.

Stewart, D.  (2015).  Plus-size and pregnancy:  Understanding and managing health risks.  Retrieved from https://www.babycenter.com/0_plus-size-and-pregnant- understanding- and-managing-health-ris_1504842.bc

The Purpose of this Blog

Nationwide, the prevalence of obesity among both adults and children is steadily rising.  There is a lot of negative social stigma surrounding obesity and being overweight, and although many have a very basic understanding that one’s excess weight can be detrimental to his or her health and well-being, it’s not something that is commonly discussed.  Many young overweight people are aware that they are at risk for health issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but do not feel that they will suffer any immediate negative health outcomes until later in life.  I can personally attest to this mindset.  I have struggled with my weight for almost my entire life and although I have been motivated to lose weight by a desire to improve my appearance, I felt that I had many years (decades even) before I needed to lose weight in order to prevent health problems typically associated with a mixture of advancing age and unhealthy behaviors.  This was my way of thinking until I enrolled in a college-level nutrition course and discovered that my weight issues could have a detrimental effect on my desire to become a mother.

 As many of the women in my community (like myself) are overweight or obese, there is a need within this population for an increased awareness of the effects of obesity on pregnancy.  We all know that drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and having health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure creates high risk pregnancies; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks maternal obesity as having a similar level of risk.  I feel that this is something not well known by the public and that this knowledge deficit is something that needs to be addressed.  That is why I chose obesity in women of childbearing age as the topic for my Capstone project.  With this blog, I plan to increase awareness of the potential complications associated with maternal obesity during pregnancy and compile some helpful tips and tools to help promote healthier pregnancies. I hope that this blog can lead to "Healthier women, healthier babies, and a healthier community".