Pregorexia

The CBS Early Show had a segment recently on "pregorexia" - pregnancy anorexia. Watch the segment:



The CBS article says, "Mother's of average weight are advised to gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy, Phillips adds. If you're overweight, you should aim for the lower end of that range, and if you're underweight before pregnancy you, should gain between 28-40 pounds. Moms of twins my gain 45 or more."

This article says, "The right level of exercise depends on how fit you were before pregnancy. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Drink plenty of fluids and don't allow yourself to get overheated as this can be harmful to the baby. Take a gentle approach to exercises that put strain on joints and ligaments. Listen to your body. Dizziness and fatigue are not uncommon in the first trimester and some women lose their balance more easily later in the pregnancy. Don't exercise to lose weight during pregnancy as this may harm your baby. Don't exercise flat on your back as this can restrict the flow of blood to the womb. Don't use saunas or steam rooms. If your Body Mass Index was less than 19.8 before you became pregnant, you should aim for a weight gain of between 12.5 to 18kg, or 28 to 40lb."

How can new mothers lose extra weight after giving birth?

In an article called 'Celebrity Mamas Fuel Post-Baby Body Blues', "Most doctors don't advise extreme dieting or vigorous workouts immediately after giving birth. The La Leche League International, a breast-feeding support organization, recommends mothers not deliberately try to lose weight the first two months after having a baby to establish a good milk supply and let their bodies recover from childbirth. Women who want to lose weight still need between 1,500 and 1,800 calories a day to maintain good milk production, the organization says. On the flip side, nursing burns up to 500 calories a day so Junior can help you in your quest to shed pounds."

According to this article, new moms need help to get the sleep she needs! "One Harvard University study found women who sleep five hours or less when their babies are six months old are three times as likely to keep their baby weight six months later than moms who sleep seven hours a night."

Talk to your pregnant daughter about her body image. Does she worry about staying thin while pregnant? Is she eating properly for the health of the baby? Is she exercising to the point of exhaustion? Together, talk to her doctor about the appropriate kinds of exercise and diet for the health of her baby. Find out how much weight her doctor thinks she should be gaining during her pregnancy. What kind of help does your pregnant daughter need in order to get more sleep, eat better, and exercise appropriately?