The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Pregnant women who are underweight during pregnancy will not ensure enough energy for the fetus to develop, reduce the baby's brain function and can cause the mother to face signs of premature labor, and the baby will be born with low birth weight and stunted growth, malnutrition, respiratory failure,...
1. What are the causes of being pregnant but not gaining weight or gaining little weight?
Weight gain during pregnancy is a sign that the baby is developing well. However, weight gain also needs to be appropriate, not too much but not too little. Specifically, throughout the pregnancy, the pregnant mother should gain weight as follows:
• Before pregnancy, if the pregnant mother had a normal weight, she should gain about 10 - 12kg, which is enough.
• If before pregnancy the mother was underweight, she should gain about 12-18kg.
• Pregnant women who are overweight before pregnancy only need to gain about 6-11 kg.
Depending on each stage of pregnancy, pregnant women also need to gain appropriate weight as follows:
• First 3 months gain about 1 - 2 kg.
• Middle 3 months gain about 4 - 5 kg
• Last 3 months should gain about 5 - 6 kg.
While many pregnant women can easily gain weight, there are also pregnant women who are underweight due to not gaining weight or gaining very little. This can be due to:
• Morning sickness: Is the main reason why pregnant women cannot gain weight in the first 3 months.
• Stress, fatigue: Unstable mood is the cause of the body being emaciated, having difficulty absorbing nutrients and not being able to gain weight.
• Not having a proper nutritional regime: Pregnant women need to supplement a variety of nutrients. If they eat irregularly and do not have enough nutrients, the body will not have enough energy and will not be able to gain weight.
• Having a medical condition: If you do not gain weight during pregnancy or gain little weight despite eating, resting properly, and being mentally comfortable, the pregnant mother may have a medical condition.
• Constitution: Some pregnant mothers will have a naturally slim body type, so it is difficult to gain weight or gain very little weight during pregnancy.
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2. How does a pregnant mother not gaining weight or gaining little weight during pregnancy affect the baby?
A pregnant woman being underweight during pregnancy will have a certain effect on the baby such as:
• Not ensuring enough energy for the fetus to develop: This will make the fetus susceptible to slow growth in the uterus or congenital malformations.
• Reduced brain function of the baby: A diet lacking in vitamins is related to anemia during pregnancy. Anemia in pregnant mothers will reduce the baby's brain function.
• Premature labor: In addition, not gaining weight during pregnancy or gaining little weight during pregnancy will cause the mother to face signs of premature labor and the baby will be born underweight. This leads to many other health consequences in the baby, such as stunted growth, malnutrition, respiratory failure, etc. later.
3. How to gain enough weight during pregnancy?
To gain weight during pregnancy properly, pregnant mothers need to follow a nutritional regimen, exercise and have a comfortable mentality in the following ways:
• Nutritional regime: Pregnant mothers' diets need to have enough of 4 food groups: starch group (rice, noodles, corn, potatoes, cassava, etc.); Protein group (meat, fish, eggs, shrimp, crab, beans, etc.); Fat group (oil, fat, sesame, peanuts, etc.); Vitamin, mineral and fiber group (green vegetables and ripe fruits) to gain weight effectively during pregnancy. Do not use diet foods that irritate the intestines leading to diarrhea, which is bad for the health of mother and baby.
• Physical activity: Moderate exercise, can do light work, should walk about 20-30 minutes every day, practice Yoga, depending on the stage of pregnancy. Before making an exercise plan, ask your doctor for advice to see if it is appropriate for the current health of yourself and your fetus.
• Avoid stress: To avoid this cause, pregnant mothers can talk to family members or meet friends to confide. In addition, pregnant mothers can enjoy their own hobbies such as listening to music, reading books, etc.
• Get enough sleep: Sleep is very important for the development of mother and baby. Sleep creates conditions for the body to rest, helping you and your fetus to be healthy. Pregnant mothers should sleep at least 8-9 hours a day.
• Drink enough water: The amount of water needed for pregnant mothers every day is from 2 - 2.5 liters. Water plays an important role in nourishing the body of mother and baby. Occasionally, mothers should also add a little sweets such as banana cake, cookies.
However, for pregnant mothers, if they are in the second half of the 2nd trimester or the beginning of the 3rd trimester and still do not gain weight, it is best to see a doctor to be diagnosed with the cause and given correct advice. most exact. Based on the fetal development index, the doctor will assess whether the fetus is affected. As for pregnant women who do not gain weight, or gain a little weight but have a reasonable diet, rest, and exercise and the baby is still developing well, there is no need to worry too much about it affecting their psychology.
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