Should a pregnant woman diet during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should not diet to minimize weight gain during pregnancy unless the degree of weight gain is significantly high. After years of creating awareness about the dangers of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the focus is now on educating pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding and risks of dieting during pregnancy. Both growing practices share a common root – the desire to maintain a pre-pregnancy shape or avoid weight gain. Many women are aware that the price for this is the health and development of their child but are willing to undertake these practices. For others, it is a combination of ignorance and being misinformed by supposed experts in the field.

What are the effects of dieting during pregnancy

The effects of dieting depends on the type of dietary change. Calorie-restricted diets are by far the most common and can lead to a host of deficiencies in the mother that may also affect development of the fetus. Depending on the extent of the dietary change, a pregnant woman may experience severe fatigue, sleepiness, fluid retention which can cause swelling of the limbs and abdomen, shortness of breath and pallor (paleness) associated with iron-deficiency anemia. These are just some of the effects of dieting during pregnancy. For the fetus, the impact is more severe and can contribute to low birth weight and neural tube defects with studies suggesting that there may be long term effects associated with cardiovascular disease and complications in early childhood development.

When is dieting acceptable in pregnancy?

It is important to differentiate between dieting for weight loss and healthy eating for the benefit of both the mother and child. Overeating during pregnancy and only consuming certain foods within limited food groups can be equally detrimental to the fetus. Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable and essential for normal fetal development. However, it should be limited according to the body mass index (BMI) of the mother prior to pregnancy as outlined in this article on pregnancy weight gain. Both exercise and moderate control of calorie intake may be necessary to avoid the complications of excessive weight gain in pregnancy, both to the mother and child.

Pregnant women who are diabetics and women who develop gestational diabetes are advised to follow an appropriate eating plan as approved by the supervising physician and a dietitian. This is largely a low glycemic index (GI) diet although the calories may not be significantly restricted. Women with severe hypertension associated with fluid retention and in cases of pre-eclampsia, a low salt eating plan may also be advised. The alterations in eating habits and meal plans should not confused with dieting during pregnancy to prevent weight gain.

The fear of gaining excessive weight during pregnancy is not entirely unfounded. However, dietary modification should only be contemplated once the weight gain is approaching unacceptable levels and only with the approval of a medical doctor and supervision of a registered dietitian. Exercise that is appropriate for different stages of pregnancy may be a better option for minimizing excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Living a healthy lifestyle which includes daily exercise, a good wholesome healthy diet with all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, cutting down on smoking and alcohol and regular health checks when they are needed are all essential to keeping you fit and healthy. There are a variety of health screens which are essential to women some of which are listed below.

Tests you need and when to have them

Some tests are essential to a women’s health such as the Pap smear test and mammogram which can both detect the early signs of cancer, while others should be undertaken to ensure you remain in the best of health.

Mammograms – from the age of around 45 it is recommended that you have a mammogram every one to two years; the mammogram is an x-ray of the breast to detect abnormalities of the breast before you can even feel or see them.

Pap smear test – any woman who is sexually active should have a smear test every 1 to 3 years, this test is one to detect signs of cervical cancer in the neck of the cervix.

Cholesterol check – from the age of 35 onwards you should have this test done about every 5 years, if you smoke or high cholesterol levels run in the family then you should have it checked over the age of 20.

Blood pressure – all women should have their blood pressure checked at least every 2 years and more frequently the older you get, especially if you are on the contraceptive pill or smoke.

Colorectal cancer test – you should have this test if you are over the age of 50.

Diabetes – if you suffer from high blood pressure or high levels of cholesterol then you should be checked for diabetes.

Depression – if you feel low, anxious or generally lethargic for more than six weeks at any one time then you could be suffering from depression, this is more likely in women who are going through menopause.

Osteoporosis – this is a test which is done to check the density of your bones and usually is made around the age of 65 in a woman.

Chlamydia – if you are sexually active on a regular basis and are not with just one partner then you should have regular screening for Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted disease. You should also talk with your doctor about having an HIV test, practicing safe sex is the best way to preventing diseases.