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Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant - Overweight women are already more likely to have health complications – but pregnancy increases the risks for both mother and baby. Obesity is a disease, and as with many diseases, there’s a greater chance of problems during pregnancy. Doctors aren’t as concerned about what your scale says as they are about your body mass index (BMI), an estimate of body fat based on weight and height.

But a high BMI doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have medical issues: Many plus-size mums have problem-free pregnancies. Weight is a number just like maternal age. Being older than 35 places some women at higher risk for problems, but most do just fine. The same holds true for overweight women. Knowing what to watch out for if you’re plus-size and pregnant is the first step to having a healthy nine months.

The “Big Girl” Bias
Finding a doctor who is “size friendly” can be a challenge. Although your doctor will probably want to discuss medical issues regarding your weight, if he (or the clinic nurse) makes you feel guilty about your size or discourages you from trying to conceive, it’s time to find a more sensitive, educated doctor.

Obesity-Problems-Occur-When-Women-Are-Pregnant-1Control Your Diet During Pregnancy

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Surplus Sugar
Gestational diabetes, a temporary form of high blood sugar during pregnancy, affects up to 15 percent of obese women – triple the rate of average-size women. Uncontrolled, it increases the risk of fetal birth defects and congenital heart problems. Babies born to mums with gestational diabetes tend to be large, which can pose problems in the delivery room. “Big babies can mean bigger episiotomies, vaginal lacerations, and an increased chance of a Caesarean section.

Typically, expectant mums are tested for diabetes toward the end of their second trimester, but because extra weight also increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, you should be tested within the first six weeks after delivery and yearly after that. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes (gestational or type 2), you may need to take insulin medication and will definitely need to make healthy food choices to keep the condition in check.

Obesity-Problems-Occur-When-Women-Are-PregnantControl Your Diet During Pregnancy

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Bad Blood Pressure
Eight percent of all pregnant women develop pre- eclampsia, a form of high blood pressure that usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy (though most cases are mild and occur at the end of pregnancy). Your odds quadruple if you’re obese. (Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant) The disease increases urine protein levels and causes fluid retention in the hands and feet. Bed rest and medications usually help, but if the condition isn’t treated properly, it can be life- threatening for both mum and baby

Delivery Room Problems
Being in labour can be as physically demanding as running a marathon. That’s why women who are overweight and less physically fit tend to experience longer, harder labours and have higher rates of C-sections. Post delivery recovery also can be more taxing.

Overweight women are at greater risk of in
fection following a Caesarean because their stomachs hang over the incision site, keeping it moist and prone to bacteria, and fat itself is more prone to infection.(Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant) For this reason, some doctors perform vertical incisions on obese women instead of the lower horizontal or bikini cut.

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

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How To Cope After The Baby Pops ?

How To Cope After The Baby Pops ?

Fret not! All is not lost. Before this turns people off the idea of having children, there is always help and a way to cope with such changes.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
I cannot stress this enough! Many couples prepare for the arrival of their baby but hardly for the change in their roles in life. Talk to other parents out there to get a fair idea of how you want to be as a parent and what sort of parenting style you would like to approach. Read as much literature as you can on the topic. Share with your spouse about your stand on things like who to care for your child while you’re at work or if you want to be a stay at home parent, discipline, babywearing, breastfeeding, medication/ vaccination, house chores, language and education, as well as other practical matters like finance, savings and insurance.

Keep Track Of Your Parenting Goals And Progress
Revisit the goals set before regularly and throughout your journey as a parent. Newborns, toddlers, children and youths all require different parenting styles so it never hurts to talk about where you are together as parents.

How To Cope After The Baby Pops

How You Solve The Problem Of Ensuring Your Family’s Happiness

How To Cope After The Baby Pops ?

Sharing is Caring

Remember that parenthood is a partnership like marriage. The traditional view of fatherhood is evolving and changing. Fathers are no longer expected to just bring home the bacon and leave the rest to mothers. As such, men should help out with day-to- day care of their children — this helps promote a more positive and proactive relationship between parent and child. The simplest thing like changing diapers or even bathing a baby can make all the difference. Women can further make the transition easier
for their spouses by being encouraging and supportive as well as provide tips for childcare. (How To Cope After The Baby Pops )

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Parenting is not about being a superhero – mother or father. It’s about learning, sharing and getting support together as a
family, immediate or otherwise. If at any point, you find yourself struggling with parenthood, talk to your spouse and explore the option of enlisting help. It can be in the form of parents, in-laws, a part-time cleaner, babysitter, playgroup, live-in nanny, a maid or even professional help like a counsellor, and lactation consultant. This is especially important in the first two years as women are susceptible to post-natal depression and can be a danger to themselves and their families.

Money. Money. Money
Money may become an issue so it never hurts to save as much as possible. Opt for second-hand items like clothes, baby furniture, and even stroller or toys. Buy during sales or promotions and opt to buy as and when you need the item; this is especially true with clothes and toys. (How To Cope After The Baby Pops) Make your own flash cards and toys if you like tinkering with sewing and paper crafts. In the early days, babies are not picky and will settle for anything.

At the end of the day, stay positive and always tell yourself this — “babies don’t stay babies forever”. Before you know it, those days of big changes will soon be over and parenthood will suddenly be the norm in every way.

How To Cope After The Baby Pops 

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