Size of your belly during pregnancy
Sometimes it seems to pregnant women that their tummy grows before their eyes or, on the contrary, it is almost imperceptible. Let’s read the expert comments on this question.
– What factors depend on the size of the belly during pregnancy?
– The height of the belly, that is, the height of the uterus normally corresponds to the term of pregnancy. For example, in the 32nd week of pregnancy it should be 32 to 33 cm. And the volume of the belly depends on the individual peculiarities of the woman. Sometimes the anatomical structure affects it: miniature women with slim pelvises have a larger belly than tall women with full thighs. But above all the growth of the belly is related to the general weight gain of the pregnant woman. This is the factor that a woman should always pay attention to.
– What weight gain is considered normal?
– Each woman has her own individual norm. It depends on the body mass index, which can be calculated according to a special formula. Divide the weight in kg by the height in meters squared. The normal ratio is 19.8 to 25.9. If you are expecting twins, add at least 2.3-4.6 kg to these figures.
Most women gain 40% of weight during the first half of pregnancy, 60% during the second. If a woman had a normal weight before pregnancy, then in the first term she can gain 1.5-2 kg, during the second – 0.5 kg per week, and for the entire ninth month – no more than 0.5- 1 kg. The weight should be increased evenly and little by little. The normal development of the baby depends on this.
– What are the dangers of being overweight?
– If a woman gained too much weight, both she and the fetus may experience problems. Excessive weight gain: it is one of the symptoms of late toxicosis, the unhealthy state of a pregnant woman. Late toxicosis can lead to the development of a threatened miscarriage. In such circumstances, the woman begins to feel pain in the waist and lower abdomen. In extremely severe cases, premature labor or premature exfoliation of the placenta may occur.
In addition, being overweight makes it difficult for the muscles to work. It also leads to edema in the feet, anterior abdominal wall, and hands. The muscles of the back and calves begin to ache, the blood circulation in the veins of the legs is broken, the varicose disease becomes more intense. The pregnant woman gets tired more often and becomes strong, becomes irritable. As for the fetus, late toxicosis can cause chronic anoxemia and even prenatal death. The risk of women suffering from such complications is higher.
– What can cause extremely rapid weight gain during pregnancy?
– Sometimes those who like to eat well gain weight quickly. However, moderation in diet still does not guarantee a normal weight. Too much fluid can build up in some women’s organizations, for example when the kidneys don’t work well enough. Therefore, if a pregnant woman gains weight too quickly, she should check the amount of fluid that she drinks and it evolves during the day and night. The healthy woman develops more fluid than she drinks. And the accumulation of fluid in the body leads to overweight. So, not only the external organs, but also the internal ones become inflamed. Edema of the placenta is especially dangerous: it disrupts the normal development of the fetus.
– How can a pregnant woman get rid of edema?
– During your visit to the maternity wellness center, you should pay particular attention to the recommendations regarding the nutritional regimen that a doctor will give you. As a general rule, doctors recommend that all pregnant women limit the consumption of salt, spicy, fried and fatty products. The fact is that these products contribute to the accumulation of fluid in the body and cause edema. Once every 10 days it is recommended to arrange fasting days. Of course, this does not mean that a pregnant woman should go without eating. Hunger is categorically contraindicated for a future mother. During fasting days, a pregnant woman should restrict herself with certain products, for example, apples, cotton cheese, kefir, meat in strictly determined quantities. In addition, you should observe the confinement in bed, this improves the excretion of fluids out of the body. Diuretic herbs are also very helpful. However, you should not restrict the amount of fluid you drink suddenly. She should drink no less than 1.2-1.5 liters per day and night.
– It turns out that it is quite easy to fight against edema?
– Unfortunately, not always. Weight gain depends on the work of the kidneys in many ways. So, for example, weight is gained quickly if a woman has chronic urolithiasis, chronic pyelonephritis. Sometimes pyelonephritis already appears during pregnancy. How the hormonal background is changing during this period. The body begins to produce more hormone, which contributes to the dilation of the urinary tract. And various infections reach the kidneys through these open doors. That is why all pregnant women must pass the bacteriological test of excretions from the vagina, constantly monitor urine tests.
– What happens if a pregnant woman has a fetus that is too large and this explains her overweight?
– That happens sometimes. But this may bear witness to another problem. Very often, women with diabetes have a large fetus. If a woman was born big, then you need to check the sugar content in the blood and urine, since diabetes can also develop latently. Sometimes diabetes already appears during pregnancy. Again due to the change in hormonal background. These pregnant women are in a risk group, even if elevated sugar content was only shown in one of several tests. By the way, being overweight during pregnancy often forces obstetricians to use caesarean section.
– In what terms is sudden weight gain especially undesirable?
– Excessive weight gain is especially dangerous in the second half of pregnancy, to be more exact, from week 20. And the earlier such complications occur, the more difficult it will be to confine a woman.
That is why we recommend that women watch their weight, take blood pressure on both hands and urinalysis. If a woman has late toxicosis, as a rule, her blood pressure rises and albumin appears in the urine. If all 3 symptoms are found (edema, increased blood pressure and albumin in the urine), a woman is urgently hospitalized.
– My question will probably surprise you. Is it possible to “adjust” the size of the fetus in some way?
– I think so. For this, a balanced nutrition is necessary, which includes products rich in animal and vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals. A woman should safely take vitamin preparations. Of course, these are copybook truths, but a woman doesn’t always observe these rules, for this or that reason.
– Apparently, the size of the belly also depends on the amount of amniotic fluid? Does the liquid a woman drinks influence them?
– No. The reasons for excess amniotic fluid are quite different: diabetes, fetal development abnormalities, Rhesus conflict, infectious complications. If a woman is low on amniotic fluids, this often means that she will give birth to a baby after maturity.
– Probably, too small a belly is better than too big?
– No, I wouldn’t say that. Insufficient weight gain often leads to fetal development defects, the birth of a very young baby, premature birth, and sometimes even the death of a newborn. Pregnant women must live for the “golden mean.”
By the way, American scientists noticed that women with an optimistic outlook on life give birth to small-weight babies less often. Experts explain that optimistic women take better care of their health: they exercise regularly and eat well.
– Is there a direct dependence between the emotional state of a pregnant woman and excess kilograms?
– There probably is. You know, being in a stressful situation, some women start eating whatever food they see and emptying the fridge. Here goes the excess weight. And, conversely, other women simply cannot eat anything in stressful situations. That is why it is so important for close people and for the expectant mother to take care of her stable and calm emotional state of mind.
Approximate allocation of weight gained during pregnancy
Baby 3.5 kg
Placenta 0.675 kg
Amniotic fluid 0.8 kg
Increased uterus 0.9 kg
Breasts 0.45 kg
Maternal blood volume 1.5 kg
Mother’s intracellular fluid 1.4 kg
Fatty cellulose from the mother 3.25 kg
GENERAL WEIGHT GAIN 11.9 kg