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In I mentioned the recommended weight gain range during pregnancy for each woman. The weight gained during pregnancy is referred as Gestational Weight Gain (GWG).

So what’s the big fuss about weight gain during pregnancy and why are the doctor and staff being so darn annoying about this weight issue?

However, your doctor, and your inner healthy voice are both right. Your mom and mother in law are probably wrong. Most nutritionists will tell you “You are not eating for two”. This confuses me a bit, because you really are two. However, all it means is, even if you are two, you don’t “need” to eat as two adults. Just as an adult and a baby.

Side thought: Even though if anyone has seen babies nursing during the first few weeks, they might change their mind about babies not eating that much. 

A suggests that GWG (gestational weight gain) above the recommendation may contribute to the obesity epidemic among children and adults.

What does this mean for mom?

Women diagnosed with GDM usually face a higher risk for , , ,  or delivering LGA(Large for gestational age).  (Metzger, 2008)

Women with GDM also have several fold higher risk of developing in the future compared to women without GDM.(Damm, 2009)

What does this mean for baby?

“Babies with excess insulin (due to exposure from mother with gestational diabetes) become children who are at risk for obesity and adults who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.” –

It has also been shown infants born to mother with gestational diabetes, are at risk of other diseases related to such as (high blood pressure) and (abnormal cholesterol levels), which is a risk factor for  .

As I mentioned above, gestational diabetes increases the risk of gestational hypertension or  . Preeclempsia  is a pregnancy associated high blood pressure. Preeclempsia  is and can lead to either .

3.gaining TOO MUCH weight during pregnancy Increases the risk of defined as baby born before 37 weeks gestation

Increasing rates of preterm birth is a global health concern. According to (World Health Organization), almost 1 million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth. Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.

I just want to say something about my own personal experience in the middle east. We don’t tend to think preterm is a big deal. Before getting my degree in Nutrition, don’t make fun of me, but I thought it’s totally okay to be born preterm. Preterm babies are even “smarter” and turn out “stronger” than other babies. I’m not saying babies born preterm can not be smarter and stronger. They most definitely can. All I’m saying is, on the entire family and should not be regarded by “Okay”.

4.GAINING too much WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY INCREASES the risk of

You might be thinking “What’s the big deal, people are doing Cesarean deliveries these days?”

Now it’s on the rise in the Middle East, and it is referred to as “easier” and “better”. Actually, it’s really not. It carries    for mother and infant. It is unnecessary unless a “requires it”. More awareness needs to be spread about risks vs. benefits of cesarean deliveries. The recovery period is quite difficult, and whoever tells you it’s the same thing for vaginal delivery, simply did not try cesarean delivery and would not know the difference.

(common words “Milk coming in”) is also delayed in mothers with Cesarean deliveries. For this reason and more cesarean delivery seems to impact initiation and duration of breastfeeding (Nommsen-Rivers, 2010). Issues with failing to breastfeed can have a huge impact on the health of the mother, and infant in the short-term and in the long term as mentioned in and .

It also has consequences that are now “emerging” for the child such as  and asthma ()

5.GAINING too much WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY INCREASES weight retention 3 months to 3 years after delivery

What’s the big deal? You’ll lose it anyway

The big deal is, first, it’s gonna depress you like no other, which is the last thing you need with a new crying baby. That’s not the medical reason though.

The medical reason is that you might not lose the weight by the next pregnancy, and if you are overweight by the next pregnancy, then that puts you at even a larger risk than the risks I mentioned already(IOM, 2009)

 6.GAINING too much WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY DECREASes INITIATION OF BREASTFEEDING

I mentioned above how Cesarean delivery affects initiation of breastfeeding. However, I want to dedicate a whole point for this it has been shown that GWG interferes with breastfeeding.

“GWG was associated with a measure of failure to initiate and/or sustain BF in all categories of pre-pregnant BMI. Thus, in addition to conceiving at a healthy weight, gaining the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy is also important for successful BF.” (Hilson. et al, 2006).

Issues with failing to breastfeed can have a huge impact on the health of the mother, and infant in the short-term and in the long term as mentioned in and .

Conclusion

“Given the increased obesity prevalence, these findings have implications for perpetuating the cycle of obesity, insulin resistance, and their consequences in subsequent generations.” –

To sum up, gaining extra weight during pregnancy is not a simple matter of wabbling while pregnant, or not being able to get back into shape after pregnancy. Nor is it just a matter of medical delivery risks. It is a “health issue” for your baby, as it sets the foundation for your baby’s risk for obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.

“Collectively, the available literature including the present study, suggests that the public health implications of excessive weight gain during pregnancy are potentially profound.” IOM, 2009