Losing Weight Before Pregnancy

Many women can benefit from losing some weight before trying to conceive, but there might be more benefits than you think to shifting a few pounds before pregnancy. The key is to lose weight in a safe, healthy way that can be maintained easily.

Losing Weight Before Pregnancy Crash dieting, fasting or fad diets may help you lose weight, but the results will be temporary as these techniques are almost impossible to maintain over time. By losing weight quickly like this, you could be losing out on one of the major benefits that a healthy weight loss technique could bring ? increased fitness and general health.

Why lose weight before getting pregnant?

Having a higher BMI can affect your hormonal balance which in turn can affect how often you ovulate. If your BMI is high and you have a normal menstrual cycle then you are likely to be ovulating normally and your ability to conceive may not be affected. For many women with an irregular menstrual cycle, losing weight can help increase the chances of conceiving a baby.

Another reason to lose weight before embarking on the pregnancy journey is the added health benefits that it can bring ? if you lose weight by exercising more and eating more healthily, then not only will you shift any excess weight you might be carrying but you will also benefit from better general health. You will have more energy for a start, which will stand you in good stead as your body copes with the demands placed on it by a growing baby. Your joints will have less strain placed on them and so will be better able to cope with the changes your body experiences during pregnancy, and even more importantly, you will be at a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes or suffering from high blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy can be a sign of p-re-eclampsia, and diabetes during pregnancy can cause a range of problems.

Do I need to lose weight?

Only your health care provider can answer this question for you. If you are underweight, you may need to gain weight in order to boost your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor will be able to calculate your BMI, look at your personal and family history and give you more balanced, tailored information about how you can boost your chances of conceiving.

How to Lose Weight Healthily

Aim for a weight loss of no more than 2 pounds a week in order to make it easier to keep the weight off. The best weight loss technique if you are aiming to get pregnant is to shed weight as healthily as possible ? cut down portion size, increase the fresh produce you eat ? lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and cut down processed and fatty foods. Small changes add up, and when combined with an increase in the amount of physical activity you do each day, these changes could boost your health and make it easier to have a healthy, happy pregnancy with fewer complications.