Obesity Linked to Maternal Death: What’s a Healthy Weight for Pregnancy?
December 5, 2007 by Kristen King
Filed under Women's Health
Yet another reason to maintain a healthy weight throughout your life, and especially during pregnancy:
Obesity is the fastest growing cause of women dying in pregnancy or childbirth in the UK, a report shows.
More than half the 295 women who died during or after pregnancy between 2003 and 2005 were overweight or obese.
Experts say the number of deaths – from a total of two million pregnancies – is low but the trend is very worrying. (source)
Not sure how much weight is too much? Check your BMI. Your doctor can tell you if your body weight is proportional to your body frame, and whether you’re at increased health risk because of your size.
It’s normal to gain weight during pregnancy, and we’re not talking about pregnancy weight here. We’re talking about already being overweight or obese and then becoming pregnant. According to WebMD, 25-30 lbs. of weight gain is both normal and healthy. But, the Mayo Clinic is quick to point out, you should aim to lose it within 6 months of giving birth to avoid long-term consequences of being overweight.
They offer this handy chart to help you determine the right weight gain for you:
| Pre-pregnancy weight | Recommended weight gain |
|---|---|
| Underweight | 28 to 40 pounds |
| Overweight | 15 to 25 pounds |
Be sure to work with your primary care physician and your OB/GYN to make sure you are doing everything necessary to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.
How much weight did you gain during your pregnancy, and how long did it take you to lose it? Leave a comment.
Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King
Tags: womens health, woman, obesity, maternal death, overweight, pregnancy weight gain, healthy weight
