Gaining Weight Between Your Pregnancies May Pose Risk

Gaining Weight May Put Your Baby At Risk
A new study reveals women who gain weight following their first pregnancy may experience more complications during subsequent pregnancies and deliveries.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, suggests a relationship exists between pregnancy complications and inter-pregnancy weight gain.

Evidence is mounting supporting the notion that women should do everything they can to maintain a normal weight prior to pregnancies and to gain weight within the recommended weight ranges during their pregnancy. The study also suggests that women should follow a sensible diet and exercise program to lose pregnancy weight prior to conceiving another baby.

According to additional researcher provided by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, women who are normal weight and lose their pregnancy weight before conceiving again are less likely to experience problems throughout pregnancy and delivery.

Studies On Weight Gain Prove Conflicting
Interestingly, despite these new studies, other studies suggest women who exercise an average of four or more hours a week were less likely to experience a successful in-vitro fertilization compared with women who did not exercise.

This study also showed women who exercised regularly were more likely to experience pregnancy loss or other complications following in-vitro fertilization. Of greatest risk according to researchers were women who routinely engaged in cardiovascular exercise. This study, conducted by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, clearly calls into question evidence suggesting exercise is good for everyone.

This study does not contradict the evidence supporting women maintaining a normal and healthy weight, but does suggest exercise may or may not be an option for some women trying to conceive.

Overweight, Exercise and Women’s Health
How does exercise or lack thereof really affect a woman’s health? That question remains a mystery for some. From the evidence available, one may conclude that women who maintain a normal weight before and after pregnancy are least likely to experience complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Despite this news, obesity and overweight seem to be rising within the United States. Multiple studies confirm more and more women are obese, with 28% of women in the United States between the ages of 20 and 39 now obese according to some studies.

For many years researchers have linked overweight and obesity with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. This recent study conducted by researchers from Harvard calculated women’s body mass index during their prenatal visits during each pregnancy. Women were closely followed and pregnancy complications noted. Among the complications more often noted among women with obesity or overweight problems included gestational diabetes, hypertension and stillbirths.

While some women believe there is nothing to fear at a modest weight gain, this latest research suggest even a small amount of weight gain may result in slightly higher than average risk of pregnancy complications. A weight gain as small as 6.6 pounds according to researchers between pregnancies may increase the average risk for pregnancy complications by 30 percent or more.

However, what about the IVF study? It may be that weight and exercise play different roles in the method of conception. One thing is clear. Women should take great care to heed the advice of their physician, exercise when appropriate and do their best to maintain a healthy body weight.

While losing weight gained during pregnancy seems relevant according to this new study, it is important that weight loss occur at a modest pace, by eating well and exercising as appropriate. Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider about a safe and sensible exercise and nutritional program between pregnancies to reduce your overall risk of complications and improve your overall health and well-being.