As for today, I shall tackle weight gain and obesity as well as gestational diabetes, a product of the first two.
• Weight gain and obesity are pregnancy plights. The problem has become prevalent recently, but during pregnancy, it is even more because new moms give themselves the allowance to do so. People around them tend to dote on them and encourage them to “eat for two,” whereas in reality it is quite different. That is why the doctor regularly checks the weight of the mother to prevent excessive gain.
The pregnant mom should not gain weight during the first trimester, as the growth of the embryo is so minimal. Some may even lose weight due to morning sickness. The second trimester allows for a few kilograms. Most of the growing and allowed weight gain occurs during the third trimester because of the fully-grown placenta, amniotic fluid and the rapidly developing fetus. Ideally, weight gain should not exceed 12 to 13 kilograms if the mother is of a normal weight. Any kilos beyond that get stuck on mom’s hips and tummy according to her weight distribution. Excessive weight gain creates complications for her health and delivery, leading to metabolic syndromes (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease). Overloading the body and systems with superfluous fat and toxins disrupts the hormonal system and weakens the immune system. Oversaturated fat cells such as in obesity secrete inflammatory substances that result in disease.
Bad eating habits including overindulgence, sedentary lifestyles and thyroid disorders are causes for excess weight gain. Unhealthy diets are usually low in proteins (fish, seafood, meat, chicken, turkey, eggs), nuts, seeds, healthy oils and fresh whole fruits and vegetables and high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats from fatty, fried, fast foods, soda drinks, ice cream, cakes and other high caloric foods.
Corpulence leads to inactivity, bad circulation, heavy breathing and overload on the heart, kidneys, liver and other body systems. It also disrupts the thyroid functions, resulting in hormonal imbalance, which can cause low serotonin, depression, emotional disorders and low self-esteem.
That is why healthy lifestyles require nutrition rich in lean proteins (free-range skinless chicken, turkey, eggs and meat, fish, seafood, nuts, seeds, legumes) to support building the body. It is necessary to include a variety of non-starchy carbohydrates (fresh whole fruits, green, deep red orange, yellow and purple vegetables and less grains). Healthy fats (olive, nut and seed oils) are important without too much fries or indulgence. Light and regular activities like walking and swimming should become part of a fitness program.
On the other hand, appetite suppressants, medical drugs, diet colas (aspartame, saccharine), trans fats (hydrogenated vegetable oils, highly heated oils) and harsh and restrictive diets are very dangerous to mother’s health and baby’s development mentally and physically. Unless closely watched by the treating specialist, medical drugs are harmful too.
Above all, moderation should be practiced. The human body, brain and health thrive by maintaining a balance; they cannot handle deficiencies or excesses, two underling causes of diseases like anemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension and more.
• Gestational diabetes is another serious disorder that can occur during a pregnancy. Obesity can provoke it. The treating obstetrician can diagnose it through blood tests, which show high blood sugar levels. Once established, the health caretaker will decide to prescribe careful weight loss, sugar-lowering medication and a low-glycemic diet (low sugar and starchy carbohydrates), depending on the elevation of blood sugar level.
The diet should be nutritious, nutrient-dense and high in fiber including non-starchy vegetables (leafy greens, cabbage family, okra, eggplant, non-starchy roots), nuts (walnut, almonds), seeds (ground flaxseeds) and very little whole grains. Protein like fish, seafood, turkey, chicken, eggs and meat should be lean. Fish oil (or supplement) and cold pressed olive and nut oils should be included moderately. While olive and avocado oils are healthy, saturated and trans fatty acids are harmful to health. Gestational diabetes should be dealt with like diabetes Type 2, but through following the physician’s instructions. Untreated, it can become chronic. Diabetes is a devastating disease.
During pregnancy, medical and recreational drugs including antibiotics, anti-depressant and painkillers should NOT be taken, unless the treating obstetrician deems them absolutely necessary. Substances such as artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharine), taste enhancers (monosodium glutamate, MSG) and other synthetic food colorings and alcohol should also be avoided. A pregnant woman should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, car exhaust, heavy metals (mercury, lead), radiation and X-rays. They can inflict detrimental mental and physical damage on the fetus.
The mother-to-be should be extremely cautious with her diet (deficiencies) before and during the pregnancy and after delivery if she breastfeeds. The father, too, has obligations during the preconception and conception periods; deficiencies and exposure to radiation, medication or substances can affect the health of his sperms.
The growing fetus is very delicate and susceptible to whatever mom ingests, breathes (secondhand smoke or exhaust fumes) or is exposed to (radiation). The fetus is a parasite, which is indiscriminate in absorbing whatever comes from the mother or environment. After birth too, the infant should neither be exposed to cigarette smoke nor radiation.
Next week, I shall continue discussing other symptoms and disorders that the mother-to-be that can occur during pregnancy. If well cared for, she can spare herself and her baby a lot of physical and emotional pain. Better be safe than sorry!!!
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