It’s Chinese New Year! From reunion dinners, gatherings with friends and family, to delicious and tempting New Year's goodies...it’s all about food! Therefore, there is a tendency to overindulge. For pregnant women, it is no small matter. Let’s take a look at why maternal obesity puts both mummy and baby at risk!
During pregnancy, a high BMI will increase the risk of various health problems, which not only affects your health but it also directly affects the health of your baby. Studies have shown that maternal obesity is associated with congenital conditions, excessive birth weight (macrosomia), growth and development problems, childhood asthma, childhood obesity, as well as cognitive problems and developmental delays.
It’s no laughing matter if your baby is born larger than other babies. This increases the risk of complications during labour, which may require a caesarean section, and may also lead to complications such as postpartum haemorrhage. What's more, your baby may also need additional medical care after birth due to congenital diseases and other problems, and this exerts a considerable burden to the family.
In addition to the impact on the baby, mothers themselves should also be wary of the health problems caused by obesity. Obesity during pregnancy will increase the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and postpartum depression, which will lead to adverse health effects during pregnancy and postpartum. Moreover, maternal obesity may also affect the rate of weight gain during pregnancy, increase the risk of foetal hypoxia, and have adverse effects on foetal growth and development.
Therefore, you must take care of your diet during pregnancy to prevent obesity or severe obesity. As you feast during the Chinese New Year, pay special attention to diet control, eat more healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, have a moderate intake of protein and carbohydrates, and reduce the intake of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods. Also, moderate exercise is also very important. You can choose light exercises suitable for pregnant women, such as walking, yoga, etc., to stay active.
Finally, remember that obesity not only affects your health, it can also have long-term adverse effects on your baby's growth. Therefore, you should be careful to not overindulge as you enjoy the delicious treats during the festivities, so that both you and your baby can be healthy and happy!
