HealthMachine

In a country where “eating for two” is the much-enforced norm and “healthy” is code for “fat,” maternal obesity is a complication waiting to happen. And the issues go way beyond having less options in maternity wear.

In pregnancy and childbirth, there really is such a thing as a healthy weight gain, and you should be aware of it right from the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Advanced medical technology makes childbirth seem like a breeze, but why exacerbate the risk when you can actually prevent it by maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy?

In the developed world, about 20% of all women of childbearing age report being overweight, as measured by their Body Mass Index, or BMI.^[1]

A high maternal BMI before and during pregnancy can translate to insulin resistance, obesity and high levels of VLDL cholesterol throughout the child’s post-partum life. What does this mean? If you gain too much weight while pregnant, your child could develop diabetes, be overweight or have other health issues throughout his/her life ^[2]

Pregnant and overweight? Know your risks: ^[1]

• Maternal obesity increases the risk of miscarriage by three times.
• Women who were obese before and during pregnancy have at least a 20% higher chance of needing a procedure such as C-section.
• Perhaps the most significant risk of too much weight gain during pregnancy is pre-eclampsia. This dangerous condition causes a spike in maternal blood pressure and normal delivery is considered very high risk.
• A birth weight of more than 4 kilos is called fetal macrosomia. This is a very direct consequence of maternal obesity and could hamper chances of a normal delivery.
• If you are already pregnant, it is NOT recommended that you try to lose weight now. Instead, ask your doctor about what precautions you must take.

Get fit before getting pregnant:

• If you have a metabolic disorder such as hypothyroidism, PCOS or another condition that is causing weight gain as a side effect, seek treatment until the symptoms are under control.
• If your lifestyle is conducive to weight gain, set time aside for exercise and working out. It can be as simple as walking for a few minutes each day.
• Avoid processed foods and those that are high in fats and low on nutrition. Replace all fried foods with baked or steamed alternatives.
• Follow up with a doctor or your nutritionist regularly to track weight loss progress and discuss options for maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
• It is quite a common practice to ask a pregnant woman to ‘eat for two’ or recommend highly fatty food to them in the hopes of a ‘healthy’ baby. In India, ‘healthy’ is code for ‘fat!’ Be aware that such advice might come your way too.
• When it comes to diet, your doctor’s advice is best to follow for optimal weight gain.

Now that you are aware of the risks, you will be able to take appropriate action to have a healthy and happy pregnancy. If you are worried now, don’t be. You can still discuss safe pregnancy and birthing options with your doctor and come up with a plan.

Did you have a healthy weight gain during pregnancy? Do you have any conditions that hamper a healthy weight gain during pregnancy? Share your story with us at info@togetherforher.com and be featured on our website!

  References:

 

1. Yu, C. K. H., T. G. Teoh, and S. Robinson. “Obesity in pregnancy.” BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology113, no. 10 (2006): 1117-1125.
2.  Santos Ferreira D, et al. Association of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index With Offspring Metabolic Profile: Analyses of 3 European Prospective Birth Cohorts. PLOS Medicine, 2017.

Symptoms to look for include:

• Deformity
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Bruising

Sometimes a dislocation may tear ligaments or tendons in the shoulder or damage nerves.

The shoulder joint can dislocate forward, backward, or downward. A common type of shoulder dislocation is when the shoulder slips forward (anterior instability). This means the upper arm bone moved forward and out of its socket. It may happen when the arm is put in a throwing position.

An evaluation with an orthopaedic surgeon consists of several components:

• A medical history. Your orthopaedic surgeon will gather information about your general health and ask you about the extent of your knee pain and your ability to function.
• A physical examination. This will assess knee motion, stability, strength, and overall leg alignment.
• X-rays. These images help to determine the extent of damage and deformity in your knee.
• Other tests. Occasionally blood tests, or advanced imaging such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, may be needed to determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues of your knee.

The most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Although there are many types of arthritis, most knee pain is caused by just three types: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.

• Osteoarthritis. This is an age-related “wear and tear” type of arthritis. It usually occurs in people 50 years of age and older, but may occur in younger people, too. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. The bones then rub against one another, causing knee pain and stiffness.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a disease in which the synovial membrane that surrounds the joint becomes inflamed and thickened. This chronic inflammation can damage the cartilage and eventually cause cartilage loss, pain, and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of a group of disorders termed “inflammatory arthritis.”
• Post-traumatic arthritis. This can follow a serious knee injury. Fractures of the bones surrounding the knee or tears of the knee ligaments may damage the articular cartilage over time, causing knee pain and limiting knee function.

The knee is the largest joint in the body and having healthy knees is required to perform most everyday activities.

The knee is made up of the lower end of the thighbone (femur), the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). The ends of these three bones where they touch are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth substance that protects the bones and enables them to move easily.

The menisci are located between the femur and tibia. These C-shaped wedges act as “shock absorbers” that cushion the joint.

Large ligaments hold the femur and tibia together and provide stability. The long thigh muscles give the knee strength.

All remaining surfaces of the knee are covered by a thin lining called the synovial membrane. This membrane releases a fluid that lubricates the cartilage, reducing friction to nearly zero in a healthy knee.

Normally, all of these components work in harmony. But disease or injury can disrupt this harmony, resulting in pain, muscle weakness, and reduced function.