Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy Weight Loss

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for a woman; but it can also be daunting, especially if it is the first time a woman is going through it. While it is common to put on weight during pregnancy considering you are eating for two, many women also experience pregnancy weight loss.

During pregnancy, it becomes important to watch your weight - not just from a putting-on-weight perspective, but also from a losing-weight perspective. Generally, doctors don't recommend that women lose weight during their pregnancy unless they are obese or have health problems. But for some women, losing weight might happen naturally. Excess weight gain or weight loss could be harmful to the development of the baby.

Do you often find yourself questioning why am I losing weight during pregnancy? Here's all you need to know about pregnancy weight loss.

Can you lose weight during pregnancy?

Although it’s common for women to gain 10-15 kg weight during pregnancy, some women may also lose weight during pregnancy. It is especially common for women to lose weight during the first trimester of pregnancy because of morning sickness, nausea and vomiting. Typically, it is suggested that women maintain a BMI under 30 during their pregnancy.

If you end up losing weight between 5-10% of your total body weight during pregnancy, it might be a cause for concern. One of the most common reasons for losing weight during pregnancy is regular exercise and diet, but your body will be able to tell if the weight loss is normal or unusual. If unusual, please consult your doctor immediately.

What causes weight loss during pregnancy?

There are some general reasons for weight loss during pregnancy. These include a well-balanced diet or regular exercise. However, the body may lose weight because of concerning reasons as well.

If you are asking yourself, why am I losing weight during pregnancy 2nd trimester, there could be some reasons such as poor development of the baby's growth, hypertension induced by pregnancy, or the body undergoing pre-eclamptic conditions.

During the first 6-12 weeks of pregnancy, it is common for women to experience morning sickness. This causes women to feel nauseated and vomit, leading to the consumption of lesser calories because of the vomiting. Many women become averse to specific kinds of foods during this time and generally eat lesser fearing they will throw up. Losing weight during pregnancy due to morning sickness is perfectly fine unless the weight loss is more than 5-10% of a pregnant woman's overall body weight.

If you are wondering, why am I losing weight during pregnancy 3rd trimester, common reasons at this stage include increased frequency of taking bathroom breaks, loss of amniotic fluid from the body, or increased levels of physical activity.

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How do I track my weight during pregnancy?

It is normal to track one's weight during pregnancy. One way to do this is by tracking monitoring and logging your weight daily on the weight scale. To determine how much weight you have lost or put on, you will be able to subtract the weight from one day's weight by comparing it to another day's weight.

Will it affect my baby if I lose weight during pregnancy?

While losing a little weight to get your body in shape is fine, losing too much weight during pregnancy is not good for the baby. Firstly, losing weight depends on how much you weigh, and if your doctor has asked you to shed some kilos to have a healthy pregnancy. This can be done by eating right and exercising. Brisk walking, yoga, or light sports without impact can be healthy ways to lose weight and are usually recommended.

However, if you lose too much weight, it might affect the baby's development. Weight loss might deny healthy nutrients to your developing foetus. Too much weight loss might put the baby's growth in danger and lead to a newborn who is too small or could even lead to preterm birth.

What to do if you’re losing weight during pregnancy?

If you find yourself losing too much weight during pregnancy, it is wise to call your doctor. Pregnancy weight loss could be associated with reasons like hypertension or pre-eclampsia, conditions that could hamper the baby's growth. Typically, women don't lose weight beyond the first trimester; so if you find yourself losing weight during the 2nd or the 3rd trimester, then check with a doctor or nutritionist.