One of the many important things that pregnant mothers should know is “body weight.” Some mothers gain excessive weight, while others gain too little. Both excessive and insufficient weight gain can lead to complications during pregnancy.
**Generally, by the time of delivery, a mother’s weight should have increased by about 14 kilograms.**
Pregnant mothers with excessive weight gain often result from overeating, particularly consuming too much starch and sugar, and not exercising. This not only leads to excessive weight gain but also increases the risk of complications such as diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia. Additionally, the fetus may receive excessive nutrients, causing the baby to be larger, which can make natural delivery difficult and may necessitate a cesarean section.
Excessive gestational weight during pregnancy can also affect the child’s future health, increasing the risk of obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cardiovascular issues.
Pregnant mothers with insufficient weight gain, especially those who were already slim and small before pregnancy, need more nutrients than usual. The fetus needs to draw nutrients from the mother to develop organs and grow at each stage of pregnancy. If the mother consumes a small amount of food, the limited nutrients will be insufficient, resulting in the baby being underweight at birth.
Neither excessive nor insufficient weight gain is beneficial for the mother and the fetus. Therefore, besides eating a balanced diet, overweight pregnant mothers should focus on consuming energy-rich foods, avoiding sugar and fat, and exercising regularly. On the other hand, underweight mothers should increase the quantity and frequency of their meals to ensure good health for both the mother and the baby.
