Female Care

How much weight gain is appropriate during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). For a pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5 to 25, the ideal weight gain should be somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds. An initial weight gain of 2 to 5 pounds is usually followed by a weekly gain of 1 pound in a normal pregnancy. If you have twins the gain usually falls between 35 and 45 pounds. Women who were overweight at the time of conception usually gain around 15 pounds and those who were underweight gain between 30 to 40 pounds. In case of obesity, your gain should not exceed fifteen pounds.

The most obvious impact of the weight gain can be seen in the form of pains and aches that you will have as your pregnancy progresses. A back ache is the most common complaint, followed by an awkward walk (thanks to your new found tummy). Another complain is of swollen legs, but that has nothing to with weight. It is a result of increased blood flow. Continue reading »

Gastric bypass is the most commonly carried out operation for weight loss in the United States with nearly 140,000 procedures being done per year Performed for over 50 years, a lot of surgeons have grown up with gastric bypass surgery and possess a very effective understanding of both its risks and benefits.

In many cases gastric bypass is the final option when other forms of weight loss and dieting have been unsuccessful and where you are substantially overweight. This generally means that you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40, or greater than 35 with an accompanying condition which increases the risk of premature death or disability. Those conditions can include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and liver disease among others. In simple terms this translates into being some 100 pounds above your ideal weight. Continue reading »

Everybody needs good nutrition but the need for healthy food by pregnant women is more critical. This is because food nourishes both the mother and unborn child. If you are expecting and want to stay healthy for the duration of your pregnancy, you will need to be mindful of what you eat and the sufficiency of the nutrients you are taking in. On the other hand, if you are yet on the planning stage of having a baby, this will be the perfect time to learn about pregnancy nutrition. Eating healthy even before you try conceiving is the best way to prepare your body for pregnancy. It is best for you to work together with your partner in aiming for a healthy pregnancy for your sake and that of your baby. This will ensure that your child will receive the appropriate nourishment for proper growth and development. Continue reading »