Weight gain in the first 3 months of pregnancy

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During pregnancy, pregnant women often gain a lot of weight in the second and third trimesters, but some weight gain occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, the average person gains 1 to 4 pounds in the first trimester. Let's take a look at the following factors related to weight gain during the first trimester of pregnancy.

1. How much weight will you gain in the first trimester?

How much weight should be gained in the first trimester is one of the most frequently asked questions by pregnant women during their obstetric visits with their doctor. You may hear a lot of different answers, but the truth is that you don't need to gain too much weight in the first trimester, the standard recommended amount of gain is 1 to 4 pounds and the weight gain in the first 12 weeks is pretty much the same for all pregnant women. However, carrying twins often leads to more weight gain.

2. You don't have to worry if you don't increase in the first three months

Not gaining weight in the first trimester doesn't mean you have a health problem. In fact, losing a few pounds during the first half of pregnancy is common due to the process of morning sickness and loss of appetite. If you've never had morning sickness, consider yourself lucky. Feeling nauseous and occasionally vomiting at any time of the day can keep your weight off or lose a few pounds. Fortunately, these morning sickness symptoms usually subside during the second and third trimesters. It's also common to feel afraid of certain foods you used to love during the first trimester, and this will change in the second and third trimesters. During this stage, you will find it easier to crave food and eat more.

If you're experiencing morning sickness, be sure to share this information with your obstetrician-gynecologist during your routine checkups. Because weight loss means that the body is in a state of weakness and stress and leads to nutrient deficiencies. However, the good thing is that the embryo can still receive the nutrients it needs for development. and growth. However, the mother can lose important lean mass and support fat. Therefore, you need to be cautious when you find yourself losing too much weight. One of the most common causes of weight loss is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This occurs in about 3% of pregnancies and usually requires treatment.
Gaining less than the recommended weight during pregnancy has been linked to having a baby that is too small. Some babies born too small may have difficulty initiating breastfeeding, which may increase their risk of illness and may have developmental delays (failure to meet developmental milestones for the child's age).

3. The risks associated with gaining more weight than recommended

One of the perks of being pregnant is being able to get rid of the diet mentality more easily. But it is important that you be aware of your weight and control it with weight gain recommendations. Because gaining too much weight comes with risks for both you and your baby, including:
Weight gain in your baby: When you gain weight, your baby is likely to gain more than usual while in the womb. This could lead to a very large baby in labor. The baby is at risk of health problems such as being born significantly larger than average (fetal macrosomia).
Difficult delivery: With significant weight gain, the anatomical structure of the birth canal will be changed, leading to a more difficult and dangerous vaginal delivery.
High risk of gestational diabetes: Excessive weight gain, especially in the early stages of pregnancy can be an early sign of gestational diabetes. If you gain more than the recommended amount during the first trimester, your doctor will likely have you do a blood sugar test before the standard 27 to 29 weeks.
You may also be at increased risk for pregnancy-related hypertension, prolonged labor, and the need for a cesarean section or delivery before your due date. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can also increase the risk of postpartum weight retention and increase the risk of blood clots forming in the postpartum period. Gaining more weight than is recommended can also increase your post-pregnancy weight and possibly lead to obesity.

4. Extra calories during pregnancy

You should ignore the saying that you are eating for two because the first trimester is not the time for you to load up on calories. You should only supplement when your doctor says you need to take it, otherwise you should maintain the same calorie intake as before pregnancy.
However, as your pregnancy progresses, you should gradually increase your calorie intake. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends consuming between 2,200 and 2,900 calories per day, depending on your pre-pregnancy BMI. This equates to a supplement every three months as follows:
First trimester: No calorie supplement Second trimester: Eat 340 extra calories per day Third trimester: Eat 450 extra calories per day

5. Food and exercise in the first trimester

Most of us expect our pregnancy to be a series of healthy eating and regular exercise. But life problems sometimes make this process not as expected. Between managing work, children, social obligations, etc., organizing the time and energy to maintain a pre-pregnancy exercise schedule or prepare healthy meals can sometimes be both. a really big challenge. However, you can still try the right types of activity for the first trimester including: Walking, swimming, jogging, indoor cycling, resistance training and yoga.
You should aim to exercise most days of the week or at least 150 minutes per week. It's important to know at each stage what form of exercise you should choose and to remember this is not the time to practice for a marathon, especially if you've never run before.
In terms of nutrition, aim for a balanced diet with a variety of foods, including: Supplements with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, products from low-fat dairy like milk and yogurt
Since your body doesn't need extra calories during the first trimester, the goal should be to eat as usual as long as it's nutritious.

6. Overall guide to pregnancy weight

While pregnancies are not all alike, there are some general guidelines to follow when it comes to weight gain in all three trimesters. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) together with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) classified weight gain based on weight during the first doctor visit. Overall, the weight gain range for all 9 months is between 11 and 40 pounds. People who are overweight or obese may need to gain less, while those who are less overweight may need to gain more. Specifically as follows:
BMI less than 18.5: Gain about 28–40 pounds BMI 18.5–24.9: Gain about 25–35 pounds BMI 25–29.9: Gain about 15–25 pounds BMI 30 or more: Gain about 11–20 pounds For twin pregnancies, the IOM recommends a total weight gain of 37 to 54 pounds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from several studies and found that 21 percent of pregnant women gained less than the recommended amount of weight, while 47 percent Pregnant women gain more than recommended.
Ideally, you find a good doctor to answer one of your concerns. But even if this is your first time seeing an obstetrician and gynecologist, you can still rely on your obstetrician's knowledge and support to get your questions answered during pregnancy. pregnant. Weight measurements are part of every prenatal visit and each appointment is an opportunity to address any questions or concerns including weight change.
Vinmec currently has many maternity packages (12-27-36 weeks), in which the 12-week maternity package helps monitor the health of mother and baby right from the beginning of pregnancy, early detection and timely intervention. health problems. In addition to the usual services, the maternity monitoring program from 12 weeks has special services that other maternity packages do not have such as: Double Test or Triple Test to screen for fetal malformations; Quantitative angiogenesis factor test for preeclampsia; thyroid screening test; Rubella test; Testing for parasites transmitted from mother to child seriously affects the baby's brain and physical development after birth.
For more information about the 12-week maternity package and registration, you can contact the clinics and hospitals of Vinmec health system nationwide.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References: healthline.com, mayoclinic.org, cdc.gov