Planning for a baby and taking the family ahead is the most exciting time of life. However, a couple must take into account several factors before bringing a new person into their lives. To have a healthy baby, the best maternity doctor advises finding out how healthy the couple is first.
It is shocking that many women, these days, have trouble getting pregnant. Women frequently experience difficulties getting pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. One of the important factors among them is weight. In addition to the risks of preterm labour, caesarean delivery, birth defects, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other pregnancy complications, being overweight can lead to infertility.
How can your weight affect your fertility?
Body Mass Index
If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is higher than 25, you are considered overweight and can face several health risks. When the BMI is 30 or higher, it is defined as Obesity. The typical range is between 18.5 and 24.9. If you have been told that you are overweight or obese, you should not skip meals or adhere to fad diets. As part of pregnancy planning, eat smaller portions more frequently, eliminate junk food from your diet, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
Obesity alters hormone functions, which results in irregular menstrual cycles and occasionally even amenorrhea (no period). Ovulation does not occur in amenorrhea, which makes it challenging to get pregnant.
PCOS
One of the most frequent hormonal issues in women is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which has a strong association with being overweight or obese. It results from or contributes to being overweight. High levels of androgens, a male hormone, are produced by women with PCOS, which may cause irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty conceiving.
Diabetes Type 2
Type 2 Diabetes is more likely to develop in overweight people. It may interfere with conception and healthy pregnancy, according to a renowned expert on high-risk pregnancies. Congenital defects and miscarriages are risks for young women with Type 2 Diabetes.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy. If untreated, it can be fatal and dangerous for both mother and child. The best gynecologists believe that obesity significantly raises the risk of preeclampsia.
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnancy problems include gestational diabetes, which many women deal with both at the beginning of their pregnancies and later on. It raises blood sugar levels and poses a risk to the health of both the mother and the unborn child. It requires high-risk prenatal care because of the increased risks of preterm labor, excessive birth weight, a baby being born with low blood sugar, and even Type 2 Diabetes.
Tips to get in better and healthier shape before getting pregnant
To achieve a healthier weight, try these steps:
- Consume foods from the five food groups—vegetables and legumes, fruits, wholegrain bread and cereals, milk, yoghurt, cheese, and substitutes—as well as lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, seeds, and nuts—to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Limit your consumption of discretionary foods, such as fast food, candy, chips, biscuits, fatty meats, pastries, and cakes.
- Limit unhealthy snacks and eat regular meals.
- Replace alcohol and sugary beverages with water.
- Vegetables should make up half of your lunch and dinner plates.
- Use a smaller plate to help in reducing your portion sizes.
- Get up and move every day. By taking the stairs, going for a walk with a friend, or walking to the store, you can fit regular exercise into your schedule.
- You can spend less time sitting down by regularly standing up while using a computer or mobile device and replacing screen time with other activities.
- Set a sensible weight target. You may feel more motivated and engaged as a result. A good goal is to lose between half and one kilogram of weight per week until you reach your target weight.
- Together with your partner, start a healthy eating and exercise regimen to improve your chances of becoming pregnant and giving birth to a healthy child.
Even if these lifestyle adjustments don’t result in weight loss, they will improve your general health. Make these adjustments before you begin trying to conceive and continue them after giving birth.
Always consult your doctor or a dietitian before beginning any lifestyle changes if you are already pregnant and want to lose weight.
Contact us to schedule an appointment and get personal consultation for weight issues while trying to conceive and other pregnancy-related issues.
