How Low Weight Affects Pregnancy
For a fetus to be properly formed in the mother’s womb and for the mother’s body to support the changes well, some important needs for this phase need to be met.
Some women are unwilling to sacrifice beauty for health, or cannot compensate the body with adequate nutrients. This situation makes us think about how low weight affects pregnancy.
Obviously, when a woman is pregnant she must eat enough to be in optimal health.
It is often thought that pregnant women have a lion’s appetite and constant cravings that lead them to eat a lot. Therefore, it is believed that they always have a good weight and excellent health. However, if this is not the case, what happens to the baby and the mother?
How Low Weight Affects Pregnancy
In fact, low birth weight in pregnancy affects both mother and baby in a number of ways. Thus, women who are underweight in pregnancy or who are malnourished fall into the classification of high-risk type I pregnancies or high-risk type II pregnancies.
Type I high-risk pregnancies
A woman is considered to have a high-risk type I pregnancy if she is in good health but is exposed to factors such as malnutrition, extreme poverty, smoking or alcoholism.
Type II high-risk pregnancies
In high-risk type II pregnancies, expectant mothers have diseases such as diabetes, pre-eclampsia or HIV. Furthermore, pregnancies in which the babies are underweight or underweight than recommended by pediatricians are included.
These ratings inform that both mothers and babies who are malnourished or underweight are at risk for developing a disease. But, after all, how does low birth weight during pregnancy affect the baby and the mother?
Specific consequences of being underweight in pregnancy
The most direct consequences associated with low birth weight in pregnancy are:
- Run the risk of having a miscarriage.
- Probability of premature birth.
- The baby is underweight.
- Baby’s death within a few weeks of birth.
- The child has disorders related to their growth or mental abilities.
When a pregnant woman is considered too thin
The thinness of each woman can vary depending on her height and genetic characteristics. It is estimated that a woman with a body mass index lower than 19 points already shows signs of being very thin. However, how to know if, in addition, the pregnant woman is malnourished?
It’s important to clarify that even if a woman eats a lot, it doesn’t mean she’s eating well. A woman must eat to obtain vitamins and nutrients that are not only sufficient for the proper functioning of her body, but also to form a new life.
To detect if a woman is malnourished, there are some signs that manifest themselves in the body. Some of them that we can highlight are:
- Weak muscles and little strength.
- Constant feeling of weakness.
- Very dry skin on various areas of the body, including the lips.
- Loss of hair.
- Caries.
- Concentration problems.
- Heart problems.
Food recommendations
If you are pregnant, it is essential to change your eating style if you need to. Preferably, prioritize organic foods and avoid fast food . It is critical that you integrate vegetables, fruits and lean meats into your diet.
Likewise, calorie consumption should increase at this stage. During the first trimester of pregnancy it is recommended to consume about 150 calories more per day, while in the second and third trimesters it is recommended to consume around 350 extra calories per day.
If you have particular health conditions such as diabetes, celiac disease, allergies or food intolerances, remember that your doctor can recommend a diet that best meets your needs.
You don’t need to pay for an expert if your financial situation doesn’t allow it. Fortunately, you can go to the public health service if you need to.
Finally, there is a wide variety of recipes available for pregnant women that can be very useful during this phase. With them, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs for all your daily servings.
