It's not entirely clear how much weight is optimal to gain during pregnancy. If I see that a patient is gaining a lot of weight, we talk about exactly what and how much she's eating and discuss exercise. I don't think women should restrict themselves from sugary or fatty foods completely during pregnancy. They should just be eaten as occasional treats in small quantities. And remember, exercising more allows a few more treats. I also let women know that the more they gain, the higher their chances are of having a big baby and/or pregnancy diabetes, both of which can make labor more difficult and increase their risk of a c-section. Additionally, the more women gain, the harder they'll have to work to take off the weight after delivering.
Excess weight gain is an important issue because it places pregnant women at risk for diabetes, blood pressure issues, and labor and delivery complications, plus it can cause babies to have issues with their sugar levels after they're born. When one of my patients is gaining too much weight, I ask her to recall what she's eaten in the last 24 hours and then keep a detailed food diary for one week. By looking at this information, we can determine where the extra calories are hiding. Common culprits are juice, soda, and processed foods. I recommend avoiding candy and desserts and eating more whole fruits, fresh vegetables, low-fat meats and protein sources, and low-fat dairy products. Read More
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