Following the new guidelines by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, pregnant women need not indulge in overeating to consume sufficient food for ‘two’. Obese pregnant women are at higher risk of serious problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, miscarriage, stillbirth, abnormal babies and painful labor.

The new guidelines recommend the general practitioners and others to inform the expected mothers of the health risks of being obese while pregnant along with the benefits of shedding weight if planning for a pregnancy. The already obese and pregnant women should avoid going on a weight-reduction diet as this may cause complications for the baby. They are supposed to be on a healthy diet and stay active.

Doctors should advise women not to overeat thinking they are supposed to ‘eat for two’. According to the guidelines, no extra calories are needed during the initial 6 months of pregnancy and for the final 3 months, an additional intake of 200 calories per day is sufficient. However, there’s no clear evidence on the weight that pregnant women need to put on for a hassle-free pregnancy.

It is usually noticed that women gain weight in a year or couple after giving birth. The general practitioners, midwives and health visitors are recommended to discuss about healthy weight management with the women on their visit in the 6^th week. They can also be referred to a nutritionist to for a beneficial and planned weight-loss diet.

The guidelines also recommend health care professional to keep advising women not to either loose or gain weight too quickly as this may result in complications. The women need to encouraged to stay active, eat a balanced healthy diet and to breastfeed their infants.

The guidelines come from nutrition specialists, general practitioners, midwives and specialists in maternal and fetal health at the Centre for Public Health Excellence, NICE. The guidance about exercise, diet, and weight management pre and post pregnancy are based on intensive research on obesity.

Source:

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence — Public Health Guidance

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• Best nutrition and fitness tips for pregnant women
• How to know if you are pregnant without a test
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by admin on 30. Jul, 2010 in Health News