“Eating for two,” is a common refrain heard around pregnant Mums, to either justify or encourage extra munching. Many Mums experience cravings during their pregnancy and with food delivery being the new normal these days, it’s easy to satisfy a yearning for everything from durians to dumplings.
The question remains: is it really ok to eat more than usual because you’re “eating for two”? After all, more weight means more for the baby, right?
Gestational diabetes
Although women are naturally expected to gain weight during the course of their pregnancy, it doesn’t mean that anything goes. Some people, in particular, need to watch their weight gain closely.
You will usually be screened for gestational diabetes via a blood test during your 8th week (up to 12th) of pregnancy. Some symptoms of the condition can include fatigue, frequent urination and fatigue (more so than a normal pregnancy) as well as a dry mouth.
If you have gestational diabetes or are in danger of developing that (you have had it before or your immediate family members are diabetic or you have had a baby weighing from 4.5kg at birth) then you would want to be more careful with what you crave for.
Gestational diabetes can cause birth complications, including pre-eclampsia, premature birth, stillbirth, having to induce labour or opt for C-section among others. Further to that, there is also a risk of developing it again in future pregnancies or Type 2 diabetes long-term.
To manage gestational diabetes or lower the risk of developing it, pregnant women should eat a nutritious diet, incorporate regular exercise into their lives and maintain a healthy weight.
While there are pregnancy weight calculators online and general ideas about how much weight a pregnant person should be gaining, each individual’s body is different. So it is always best to ask your personal doctor who knows your habits and lifestyle – whether you’re an avid athlete, have specific medical issues or have been underweight all your life.
Need help with exercise and diet during pregnancy?
If you’re starting to work out for the first time while pregnant, do pick a sport or activity that caters to your needs. Prenatal Yoga and Pilates are becoming quite mainstream or you could also look specifically for physical trainers who are experienced and trained to work with pregnant clients.
While it may be difficult to exercise restraint when it comes to food, having a regular supply of healthy meals might help. You can get healthy tingkat meals delivered, to take the guesswork and preparation out of cooking on your own. There are also many health apps available that can help you record and manage your weight control.
Working with Dieticians could help. Find them in our Directory.
How much weight did you gain during your pregnancy?