WEIGHT GAIN DURING THIRD TRIMESTER
Rapid changes occur in the growing fetus during your third trimester of pregnancy. Significant changes occur in your body also to support your growing fetus. Some of these changes and symptoms may be experienced by you during your first and second trimesters, but they are often worse in the third trimester.
The baby gains most of the weight during the final months of pregnancy.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, a fetus weighs around 2 pounds at 27 weeks, 4 to 4 ½ pounds by 32 weeks, and grows up to between 6 ¾ pounds to 10 pounds by 40 weeks.
Also an average of six more inches growth is seen during the third trimester.
Apart from the baby weight,
body fluids
increasing blood
amniotic fluid
a larger uterus
the placenta
fat stores, will add few extra pounds. Hence it is advisable for women try not to gain too much weight during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
Do not give in to unhealthy food cravings and be as active as possible. This will help you to prevent unnecessary weight gain.
Too much weight gain can result in developing compilcations during the third trimester, which include:
- gestational diabetes
- high blood pressure
- premature birth (delivery at 37 weeks or earlier)
- heavy birth weight
To Gain the Right Amount of Weight During Pregnancy: Try these tips:
Eat five to six small meals every day.
Keep quick, easy snacks on hand, such as nuts, raisins, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, and ice cream or yogurt.
Spread peanut butter on toast, crackers, apples, bananas, or celery. One tablespoon of creamy peanut butter gives you about 100 calories and 7 grams of protein.
Add nonfat milk to your diet.
Add extras to your meal, such as butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese.
Gaining Too Much Weight During Pregnancy:
If you have gained more weight than your doctor recommended, talk to your doctor about it. In most cases, you’ll be advised to wait until after delivery to lose weight.
Here are some tips to slow your weight gain:
- Choose lower-fat items such as broiled chicken breast sandwich with tomato and lettuce (no sauce or mayonnaise), side salad with low-fat dressing, or a plain baked potato.
- Avoid foods such as French fries, mozzarella sticks, or pizzas.
- Avoid whole milk products. At least four servings of milk products is needed every day. However, using skim, 1%, or 2% milk will greatly reduce the amount of calories and fat you eat.
- Choose low-fat or fat-free cheese or yogurt.
- Limit sweet or sugary drinks. These have lots of calories. Choose water, club soda, or mineral water to skip extra calories.
- Don’t add extra salt to foods when cooking. Salt causes water to retain.
- Limit sweets and high-calorie snacks. Cookies, candies, donuts, cakes, syrup, honey, and potato chips have a lot of calories and little nutrition. Instead, try fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, as lower-calorie snack and dessert choices.
- Use fats carefully. Fats include cooking oils, butter, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, sauces, sour cream, and cream cheese. Try lower-fat alternatives.
- Cook food the healthy way. Baking, grilling, and boiling are healthier preparation methods. Frying foods in oil or butter will add calories and fat.
- Moderate exercise can help burn excess calories. Walking is usually safe for pregnant women.