Getting Pregnant
<p><b>Your pre-pregnancy weight matters</b></p>
<p>Are you ready and trying to get pregnant? How's your weight at this present moment?</p>
<p><br />Did you know that being in the healthy weight range can improve your chances of getting pregnant? Being overweight, obese, or underweight can affect your fertility.</p>
<p><br />A healthy weight during pregnancy benefits your little one growing inside you, and much later in life too. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers the chances of your child having diabetes, obesity, and heart disease during childhood and even in adulthood.</p>
<p><br /><b>So, what can you do?</b><br />Discuss with your doctor what's a suitable weight range safe for you and your unborn child before you start trying to get pregnant.</p>
<p><br /><b>Being overweight and pregnant</b><br />Carrying more weight than recommended for your body while you're pregnant can put you at higher risk of pregnancy complications, like preterm birth, preeclampsia and hypertension, gestational diabetes, Caesarean birth and stillbirth.</p>
<p><br /><b>Being underweight and pregnant</b><br />Being underweight can affect your fertility by causing hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation and the chance of getting pregnant. Compared to women in the healthy weight range, underweight women are likely to take more than a year to get pregnant.</p>
<p><br />If you're underweight and trying to conceive, speak to a dietician about a healthy way to gain weight.</p>
<p><br /><b>Get your BMI in check</b><br />Your body mass index (BMI) approximates body fat based on height and weight. Your pre-pregnancy weight and BMI is important to consider when determining how much weight you need to gain during pregnancy. Work with your doctor to find out what's best for you and to manage your weight throughout pregnancy.</p>
<p><br />He will also confirm which of the standardised following categories you fit into:<br />• <b>Underweight</b>: a BMI that's less than 18.5.<br />• <b>Normal</b>: a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.<br />• <b>Overweight</b>: a BMI of 25 to 29.9.<br />• <b>Obese</b>: a BMI that's greater than 30.</p>
<p><br /><b>Schedule a preconception appointment</b><br />Speak to your doctor if you're considering getting pregnant. He may recommend daily prenatal vitamin and refer you to a registered dietitian who will be of great help to assist you with managing healthy weight before pregnancy.</p>
<p><br /><b>Seek regular prenatal care</b><br />Prenatal visits can help your doctor monitor your health and your baby's. Inform them about any medical conditions you have like diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea and find suitable ways to manage them.</p>
<p><br /><b>Eat clean</b><br />Stay away from excess sugar, salt and processed foods. Drink lots of water and eat healthy, balanced meals.</p>
<p><br /><b>Get active</b><br />Check with your doctor about safe ways to exercise during pregnancy.</p>
<p><br /><b>Stay away from substances</b><br />Alcohol and illicit drugs are off-limits. If you smoke, quit immediately.</p>
<p><br /><b>Good to know</b><br />If you're already pregnant and want to lose weight, talk to your healthcare provider. Healthy eating, controlled weight gain and regular exercising during pregnancy can keep you and your baby healthy.</p>
