Pregnancy and Obesity- What You Need To Know When Preparing For Pregnancy

Obesity is one of the major reasons why many women are having difficulties in getting pregnant. If you are obese there are a number of considerations which need to be observed to increase your fecundity or chance of conceiving.

According to studies, obesity creates a huge negative impact to a woman's ability to conceive. It actually reduces the frequency of ovulation thereby leading to reduced probability of conception. Furthermore, obesity is considered as one of the major reasons behind the occurrence of physical defects and deformities in children.

If you are obese, you are to take at least a year or more of preparation before getting pregnant. Losing weight can really take a long time nevertheless it is important in keeping your baby at the best of health.

Weight reduction before Pregnancy

Many researchers recommend weight reduction prior to conception because observing it during the course of pregnancy may deprive your child from getting the appropriate amount of nutrients, such as iron and folic acid, which are beneficial for their healthy growth and development.

It is believed that obese women are more at risk of experiencing pregnancy-related complications. If you are overweight or obese, it would always be beneficial to tell your doctors about your intentions of getting pregnant for them to identify your ideal weight level to conceive.

The Risks Involved for Obese Mothers

Obese pregnant are confronted with higher pregnancy-related risks compared to non-obese mothers. These risks include the following:

Infertility

Miscarriage

Stillbirth

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Preeclampsia

Gestational diabetes

Unusually large baby which may necessitate having a caesarean section

The baby's health is dependent upon the health condition of the mother. When the mother's health is at risk, the baby's health is also at risk. So, what are possible the risks for babies?

Preterm birth

Birth defects

Higher chances of developing obesity in later life

Death

Injury such as shoulder dystocia because of the baby's large size

Preparations Necessary for Conception

If you have plans of getting pregnant, lifestyle changes are necessary to ensure that your baby is at the best of health. These lifestyle changes include the following.

Regular Exercise

Compared before, exercise is now recommended by doctors both during and before pregnancy. Research shows that exercise is beneficial in reducing weight and achieving an ideal weight level for pregnancy.

Those who are having a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to experience weight gain.

Healthy Eating

In getting rid of potential toxins, foods rich in mercury such as tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel should be avoided. Research reveals that heavy accumulation of toxins in the body creates drastic effects to the baby's health.

Healthy breakfast is strongly recommended everyday to reduce your intake of unhealthy snacks. Intake of smaller meals is also beneficial in reducing weight. Instead of taking foods rich in sugar and fat frequently, prefer taking fresh and dried fruits.

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