When you have a high-risk pregnancy, you likely have a lot on your mind about you and your baby’s health. It can be easy to comfort yourself with food, which can increase your risk for additional health issues.
At The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, our experienced OB/GYNs provide a wide range of high-risk pregnancy services to support you and your baby from conception to delivery and beyond.
As part of your care plan, we can help you maintain a healthy weight to lower your risk for complications.
A high-risk pregnancy occurs when there are underlying health issues that can put the expectant mother or baby at risk.
Women who are age 35 or older may be considered to have a high-risk pregnancy, because advanced maternal age can increase risk factors for birth defects, premature birth, and other issues.
Other factors that can make a pregnancy high-risk include:
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you can expect to have more frequent checkups with our OB/GYNs. These appointments give our physicians an opportunity to closely monitor you and your baby’s health throughout pregnancy.
At each visit, you can expect us to check your weight regularly and ensure you’re following other guidelines that support a healthy pregnancy.
Gaining too much weight during a pregnancy can increase your risk for pregnancy and delivery complications, such as:
It’s also important to note that your risk for complications, such as low birth weight and developmental disabilities in your baby, also increases if you don’t gain enough weight during pregnancy.
When your pregnancy is already high-risk, it’s important that you minimize any other issues that can affect your health or the development of your baby.
The most important part of weight management during pregnancy is to understand how much weight you should gain based on your health and other circumstances.
Typically, women who are considered to have a normal weight based on the body mass index chart should expect to gain 25-35 pounds. If you’re overweight, a 15 to 25-pound weight gain is recommended.
Our medical team can recommend how much weight you should gain in each month of your pregnancy. We can also help you design a diet and exercise routine, so you can better manage your weight.
In addition to eating a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, you should incorporate lean proteins and healthy fats into your diet. We can also recommend prenatal supplements to provide your body with the essential vitamins and minerals you need to support a healthy pregnancy.
If you’re not sure how to manage your weight during pregnancy, get the help you need by booking an appointment online or over the phone with The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group today.
