Being Underweight and Pregnancy

Complications

Whether you know it or not being underweight when you become pregnant may in fact harm your baby. You may be deficient in some of the key nutrients that your baby needs in order to develop properly.

In most cases of women that are underweight, their doctor will recommend that they gain 28 to 40 pounds; normal weight gain is usually 23 to 35 pounds for pregnancy. However, you should consult your doctor or health practitioner to ensure that you are gaining enough weight and that you are healthy and not just getting empty calories. If you have a history of an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia, you should let your health practitioner know immediately so they can advise you how to care for yourself and your unborn baby.

If you have a body mass index of less than 18.5, you are considered underweight.

Some birth defects are associated with women that were underweight and did not have the proper nutrients such as neural tube defect. You should have in your diet at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and while you are pregnant you should getting around 600 to 800 micrograms per day. You should include foods such as spinach, legumes, asparagus, beans and orange juice. All of these foods are very rich in folic acid. Some of your favorite cereals and breads may also be fortified with folic acid.

If you have other deficiencies such as Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin B2, iron, copper, calcium and zinc you may also be in danger of having a baby with health problems such as impaired brain function and you may be in danger of anemia.

It has also been noted that mothers that are underweight are more prone to giving birth to pre-mature babies or low birth weight babies. You may think it would be great to have a small baby, however, this means that your baby was malnourished during pregnancy. It can put your baby at risk for many health related problems later in life including eating disorders.

Of course, the best thing to do if you wish to become pregnant and you are underweight is begin eating sensibly and gain the weight that you need to be in the normal range. To add more calories to your diet you should never skip breakfast! Even add a piece of cheese or a teaspoon of peanut butter to your toast in the morning. Add a handful of nuts to your favorite salad for an added protein boost; eat snacks between meals such as yogurt, dried fruits, and fresh fruits. Instead of drinking sodas, start drinking juice that is high in Vitamin C and beta-carotene.