FAMILY MEDICAL CARE: GAINING WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY
The mother gains weight for many reasons.
There are two main components which are worth considering.
(1) The Foetal Components. These include the foetus itself, together with the placenta (later to become the afterbirth), and the fluid in which the baby develops, called the “Liquor amnii.”
(2) The Maternal Components. These include the womb (uterus) and breasts; the increased amount of blood present; the storage of fat and protein by the body, and storage of water.
The foetal components. As every mother knows, the weight of new-born babies varies considerably. Besides differing in babies born in the same country, there is also quite a difference from nation to nation.
In Australia, the average birth weight of babies is 3,300 g (7′/2 lbs). But in India, the average birth weight is 2,900 g (6′/2 lbs). Both may be equally fit and healthy.
The age of the mother has no bearing on baby’s weight, but there is a tendency for the weight to increase with subsequent babies born to the same mother. The more affluent the living standard, as a rough rule, the heavier the baby tends to be.
A well-established cause for below-average birth-weight babies is smoking by the mother during pregnancy. Indeed, this has now become such a vital problem in Western lands that mothers-to-be are definitely advised to cease smoking totally during pregnancy. Underweight (and premature) babies run many risks not shared by their normal-weighted counterparts.
In the early stages, and up to the twentieth week, the foetus gains weight very slowly. But after this, a steady increase takes place.
The placenta (afterbirth), the vital link between baby and mother, is a large meaty organ. In the early stages it grows rapidly up until the sixteenth week. After that its rate of growth slows down, so that by birth, it weighs about 20 per cent of baby’s weight.
The ‘ ‘liquor amnii,” the fluid contained in the womb, and which bathes baby throughout uterine life, is a major weight-producing factor. Its volume increases quickly throughout pregnancy. There are 300 ml at twenty weeks, 600 ml at thirty weeks, and around 1,000 ml at the thirty-eight-week mark. After this it falls rapidly.
The Maternal Components. The womb (uterus) quickly increases in weight during the early weeks of pregnancy, especially the first twenty. After this it increases more slowly up until the fortieth week. By the time baby is ready to be born, it weighs about 900 g more than its non-pregnant weight.
The breasts develop rapidly right from the start, under the influence of special hormones. The breasts are prepared for the day baby is born and they will provide its nourishment. A large increase in the total amount of blood in the system also occurs during pregnancy. This, too, adds to the overall weight increase.
A lot of weight increase is due to the storage of fat by the pregnant woman. In fact, an average of about 4,000 g is usual. Most of this is laid down before the thirtieth week. Most of this comes from carbohydrates and fat in the diet and a small amount comes from the extra protein eaten.
There is a very real reason for this extra fat. It has been shown that nearly 35,000 calories of energy can be obtained from these deposits if suddenly required by the mother in the weeks immediately following baby’s birth. In short, she is geared to perform more work. But a note of caution should be inserted here: this should not be used as an excuse to deliberately put on more weight. As shown earlier, excessive weight gains during pregnancy predispose to a permanent overweight problem after pregnancy. This may continue for a long, long time.
After the thirtieth week, the main reason for weight gain is the retention of water by the body. For the first thirty weeks, she will retain 3,600 ml, plus a further 3,000 ml between then and the time of birth.
Excessive weight gain must be eyed cautiously in the last ten weeks. Regular weighing is essential. If there is a gain of more than 900 g (2 lb) in any one week, it indicates excessive fluid retention, and may be an early sign of pre-eclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy.
There is no need to be alarmed at all this discussion on excessive weight gain. Basically, it is quite straightforward and relatively simple.
The basics are that an increase in weight during pregnancy is normal and natural. Excessive gains are to be avoided, and this can simply be done by a commonsense routine that avoids the type of foods that should be avoided in any case during normal (non-pregnant) life.
There is the added precaution that any excessive weight gain needs immediate investigation, especially in the latter ten weeks of pregnancy. By sticking to sensible general principles, most women will come through their confinement and soon regain their former attractive appearance.
There is absolutely no need for a woman to “go to seed” during pregnancy. So often it is blamed for an unattractive figure later on, when, in fact, the true reason lay in foolish indiscretions and a lack of attention to simple detail by the woman herself.
It is really in your hands. Do not forget this.
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