Sometimes it seems to pregnant women that the belly is growing before their eyes, or, conversely, it is almost not noticeable. Let’s read the comments of experts on this question.
– What factors does the size of the belly during pregnancy depend on?
– Height of the belly, that is, the height of the uterus normally corresponds to the end of the pregnancy. For example, at the 32nd week of pregnancy it should be 32-33 cm. And the volume of the belly depends on the individual characteristics of the woman. Sometimes the anatomical structure affects it: miniature women with a thin pelvis have a larger belly than tall women with full thighs. But above all, the growth of the belly is related to the general weight gain of the pregnant woman. This is the factor that a woman should always pay attention to.
– What weight gain is considered normal?
– Every woman has her own individual norm. It depends on the body mass index, which can be calculated according to a special formula. Divide the weight in kg by the height in meters squared. The normal index is 19.8 to 25.9. If you are expecting twins, then add at least 2.3-4.6 kg to this figure.
Most women gain 40% of their weight during the first half of pregnancy, 60% during the second. If a woman had a normal weight before pregnancy, then in the first trimester she can gain 1.5-2 kg, during the second – 0.5 kg per week, and during the entire ninth month – no more than 0.5 -1 kg. The weight should be increased evenly and little by little. The normal development of the baby depends on this.
– What are the dangers of being overweight?
– If a woman gains too much weight, both she and the fetus may experience problems. Excessive weight gain is one of the symptoms of late toxicosis – the unhealthy state of a pregnant woman. Late toxicosis can lead to the development of a threatened miscarriage. Under such circumstances, a woman begins to feel pain in the waist and lower abdomen. In extremely severe cases, premature labor or premature exfoliation of the placenta may occur.
In addition, being overweight makes it difficult for the muscles to work. It also leads to edema in the feet, anterior abdominal wall, hands. The muscles of the back and calves begin to ache, blood circulation in the veins of the legs is disrupted, the varicose disease becomes more intense. The pregnant woman gets tired more often and gets stronger, she becomes irritable. As for the fetus, late toxicosis can cause chronic anoxemia and even prenatal death. The risk of such complications for very full women is higher.
– What can cause extremely rapid weight gain during pregnancy?
– Sometimes those who like to eat well gain weight quickly. However, moderation in food still does not guarantee a normal weight. Too much fluid can accumulate in the body of some women, for example, when the kidneys are not working well enough. Therefore, if a pregnant woman gains weight too fast, she should control the amount of fluid she drinks and evolves during the day and night. Healthy woman evolves more fluid, than she drinks. And the accumulation of fluid in the body leads to overweight. Then not only external, but also internal organs swell. Placenta edemas are especially dangerous: they disrupt the normal development of the fetus.
– How can a pregnant woman get rid of edema?
– While visiting the maternity wellness center, you should pay close attention to the recommendations on the nutrition regimen that a doctor will give you. As a general rule, doctors advise all pregnant women to limit the consumption of salty, spicy, fried and fatty products. The thing is that these products contribute to the accumulation of fluid in the body and lead to edema. Once every 10 days it is recommended to arrange fasting days. Of course, this does not mean that a pregnant woman should go without food. Hunger is categorically contraindicated for a future mother. During fasting days, a pregnant woman should be restricted in certain products, for example, apples, cotton cheese, kefir, meat in strictly determined quantities. Also, she must observe confinement in bed, this improves the excretion of fluid out of the organism. Diuretic herbs also help a lot. However, she should not restrict the amount of fluid she drinks suddenly. She should drink not less than 1.2-1.5 liters per day and night.
– It turns out that it is quite simple to fight edema?
– Unfortunately, not always. Weight gain depends on the work of the kidneys in many respects. So, for example, weight is quickly gained if a woman has chronic urolithiasis, chronic pyelonephritis. Sometimes pyelonephritis appears already during pregnancy. As hormonal background is changing during this period. The body begins to produce more of a hormone, which contributes to the dilation of the urinary tract. And various infections reach the kidneys through these open doors. That is why all pregnant women must pass the bacteriological test of excretions from the vagina, constantly monitor urine tests.
– What happens if a pregnant woman has a fetus that is too large and this explains her overweight?
– Such a thing happens sometimes. But this can testify to another problem. Very often, women with diabetes have large fetuses. If a woman was born large, then she needs to check the sugar content in the blood and urine, since diabetes can also occur in a latent form. Sometimes diabetes appears already during pregnancy. Again due to hormonal background changes. These pregnant women are in a risk group, even if only one of several tests showed increased sugar content. By the way, being overweight during pregnancy often forces obstetricians to use cesarean section.
– Under what conditions is sudden weight gain especially undesirable?
– Excessive weight gain is especially dangerous in the second half of pregnancy, to be more exact, starting from the 20th week. And the earlier such complications occur, the more difficult the delivery of a woman will be.
That is why we recommend women to watch their weight, take their blood pressure in both hands and have urine tests. If a woman has late toxicosis, as a rule, her blood pressure increases, and albumin appears in the urine. If all 3 symptoms are found (edema, increased blood pressure, and albumin in the urine), the woman is urgently hospitalized.
– Probably my question will surprise you. Is it possible to “adjust” the size of the fetus in any way?
– I think so. For this, balanced nutrition is necessary, which includes products rich in animal and vegetable proteins, vitamins and minerals. A woman should safely take vitamin preparations. Of course, these are copybook truths, but a woman does not always observe these rules, for this or that reason.
– Apparently, the size of the belly also depends on the amount of amniotic fluid? Does the liquid a woman drinks influence you?
– No. The causes of excess amniotic fluid are very different: diabetes, abnormalities in the development of the fetus, Rhesus conflict, infectious complications. If a woman has little amniotic fluid, this often means that she will deliver a postmature baby.
– Probably too small belly is better than too big?
– No, I wouldn’t say that. Insufficient weight gain often leads to defects in the development of the fetus, giving birth to a very small baby, premature birth, and sometimes even the death of a newborn. Pregnant women must fight for the “golden mean”.
By the way, American scientists noticed that women with an optimistic outlook on life give birth to low-weight babies less often. Experts explain that optimistic women take better care of their health: they exercise regularly and eat well.
– Is there a direct dependence between the emotional state of a pregnant woman and excess kilograms?
– Probably there is. You know, being under stress, some women start eating whatever food they see and empty out the fridge. Here goes the excess weight. And, on the contrary, other women simply cannot eat anything in a stressful situation. That is why it is so important that close people and the expectant mother take care of her stable and calm emotional mood.
Approximate allocation of weight gained during pregnancy
baby 3.5kg
Placenta 0.675 kg
Amniotic fluid 0.8 kg
Uterus increase 0.9 kg
Breasts 0.45 kg
Mother’s blood volume 1.5 kg.
Intracellular fluid of the mother 1.4 kg
Adipose cellulose from mother 3.25 kg
OVERALL WEIGHT INCREASE 11.9 kg
