Exercise and Weight Gain During and After Pregnancy
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
The amount of weight a woman should gain during her pregnancy depends on her weight prior to becoming pregnant. Excess weight gain and failure to lose this weight six months postpartum are predictors of long-term obesity.
Weight Gain Norms during Pregnancy
Normal weight prior to pregnancy: 25-32 lbs.
Overweight prior to pregnancy: 15 lbs.
Underweight prior to pregnancy: 40 lbs.
Exercise Risks For Pregnant Women
Physician approval for exercise is always required for pregnant women. Risks for the mother include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), fatigue, and muscoskeletal injuries. The baby is at risk for hyperthermia (overheating) and decreased uterine blood flow. The mother should stop exercising before fatigue sets in and follow the recommended guidelines for exercise mode, frequency, intensity, and duration. Should any of the following warning signs occur, exercise should be discontinued and the mother should consult her physician.
Exercise Warning Signs during Pregnancy
Vaginal Bleeding
Muscle Weakness
Shortness of breath prior to exercise
Calf pain or swelling
Dizziness
Preterm Labor
Headache
Decreased Fetal Movement
Chest Pain
Amniotic Fluid Leakage
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I really don’t think you should be telling women how much weight they should or should not gain during pregnancy -if you want to be helpful you should point out what is healthy to do during pregnancy, or what a health diet is, and why it’s important instead of just throwing numbers out there - especially when your audience is overweight women - to tell them not to gain more than 15 lbs isn’t helpful and sometimes isn’t realistic (you may even be causing them to restrict calories instead of eating a healthy amount to support pregnancy). Also where do you get off just telling people danger signs of exercising during pregnancy and not anything helpful like good exercises to do, etc.
I don’t know if you wanted to write something just to write something, but this really wasn’t well thought out -and as an overweight women who was overweight and trying to lose before she got pregnant - believe me, this article isn’t helpful and we don’t need the stress of what your “norms” and warnings like “Excess weight gain and failure to lose this weight six months postpartum are predictors of long-term obesity.” add to what we are already going through. And PS to any pregnant women reading this - I gained 30+ pounds with my recent pregnancy and my baby was fine (born a healthy weight) and I lost it all either with the baby or in the month or two after she was born -even recovering from a c-section. So, if you know you are eating healthy and taking care of yourself DON’T STRESS about how much you are gaining - just stick to making healthy choices and getting any exercise at a level that is safe for you (it will make you feel better and help you bounce back faster), and things will work out.
Thanks for the comment Val! I applaud your weight loss! My intent is not to put pressure on anyone to lose weight—but to provide information based on current research (they are not just numbers I’m throwing out there). Research deals with trends of the general population so there will always be exceptions. My previous posts have dealt with exercise and nutrition issues so I hope they are helpful. Anyway, my intent was not to pressure or belittle anyone.
I found this information interesting and helpful like all your other posts. Thanks.
As usual, I find your blogs very helpful. I have two daughters. When I got pregnant with my first daughter, I gained about 75 lbs. Horrible, I know. I only lost about 25 lbs before getting pregnant again. I was very overweight and concerned about getting bigger. So, I started exercising (nothing dramatic, just walking on my lunch break and taking stairs instead of elevator). I also started eating way better, no junk. Anyway, I weighed 220 when I found out I was pregnant and I lost weight throughout my whole pregnancy. The doctor was a little concerned because it was unusual but when I told him what I was eating and what exercise I was getting, he was okay with it. He just kept a close eye to make sure the baby was growing as she should. I weighed 221 the day I delivered my daughter. I’m not saying that this is how overweight women should handle pregnancy but it worked for me and neither myself or my baby were ever in any danger. I never starved myself or anything crazy, I just treated my body good and only put good things into it. I really think the risks and warning signs are helpful! Man, I had a lot to say. Ladies, everyone will gain differently, so as long as you are eating healthy and taking care of yourself, that is all that matters!
I know some women who have exercised into the 8th and 9th months of pregnancy. They said it made the baby’s delivery easier for them.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for all the great information!!!!!!
I love your blogs–I don’t need this one! LOL!!! However, I am going to send it to a friend that just found out she is pregnant!
Thanks to texasmama I got your name and read this blog, And i just wanted to say that i have read lots of stuff in the last couple weeks and everything that i read said that overweight woman should only gain around 15 lbs. I just wanted to throw that out there. Thanks for this info. I dont want to use this as a eating free ticket or something. Thanks again for the info.