Underweight (Low BMI) During Pregnancy

Gaining weight during pregnancy is crucial for the proper development of your unborn child since your body needs more energy to maintain the pregnancy. Underweight has an impact on postpartum breast milk production. Insufficient weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, early delivery, fetal development retardation, and low birth weight.

Generally speaking, being underweight is not a major issue. By gaining weight throughout pregnancy and maintaining a healthy diet throughout, you can make up for this. You can attain a healthy weight and diet during your pregnancy with the assistance of a prenatal nutritionist or specialist.

What does having a low Body Mass Index (BMI) during pregnancy mean?

Body Mass Index is referred to as BMI. Your weight falls within a healthy range, according to this.

Because BMI is unable to distinguish between bone, muscle, and fat, it is not an ideal method of determining your weight. However, it remains the most effective method of determining your weight.

A pregnant woman who had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 before getting pregnant is considered underweight.

Only informative reasons are served by this. Look for wellness guidance or a diagnosis from an expert.

A pregnant woman who had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 before getting pregnant is considered underweight.

Underweight pregnant women may be more susceptible to various issues for both the mother and the unborn child.

What Are The Reasons Behind Low Pregnancy Weight?

There are several reasons why pregnant women may gain weight slowly or not at all. This comprises:

• Rapid metabolism
• Morning sickness
• Loss of appetite
• Mental health problems or anxiety
• Eating disorder history
• Body image issues
• Aversions to certain foods
• Additional health and medical reasons

What effects may underweight have on me and my unborn child during pregnancy?

The majority of pregnant women with low BMIs will have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child, although there is a higher chance of:

• miscarriage
• early delivery and labour (When your child is born before reach adulthood)
• The infant was underweight at birth.
• limitation of fetal growth
• issues with your child’s growth that might impact their stomach, diaphragm, or heart.

Although reading this might be challenging, keep in mind that you can take steps to lower the risks and have a healthier pregnancy.

If I am underweight, how will my midwife help me?

You will be encouraged to acquire more weight during pregnancy if your BMI is less than 18.5 before becoming pregnant.

For further scans to monitor the growth and development of your unborn child, your midwife could recommend that you visit the hospital’s prenatal clinic. To assist you figure out how to eat healthily and put on a healthy amount of weight, you can also be sent to a dietician.

You will talk to your midwife or another expert about how much weight you would like to acquire during your pregnancy. This will depend on your pre-pregnancy weight, among other things.  

You may be asked to weigh yourself while you are pregnant.

Additionally, they could advise you to take a pregnancy-safe multivitamin supplement that contains iron, vitamin D, and folic acid. 

Assisting you with the cause of your low body mass index:

Depending on the reasons behind your low BMI, your midwife could provide you with more targeted guidance and assistance. This is so that, depending on the cause, they can appropriately assist you.

They will comprehend that having a low BMI might be caused by a variety of factors, such as:

• being healthy but naturally slender
• having a gastrointestinal issue, such as inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease, or a medical cause for your low weight, such as an overactive thyroid. Consult your GP or midwife if you believe this might be the case.
• You should consume about 2,000 calories per day from a well-balanced diet to stay healthy.
• appetite loss, maybe brought on by stress, anxiety, or melancholy
• exercising excessively and not eating enough to replenish the energy used during activity
• experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, extreme morning sickness
• not having enough money for eating.

Disorders related to eating

Unhealthy food relationships are a hallmark of several types of eating disorders. Your life may be taken over by this, and you may become emotionally and physically unwell.

Speaking with your doctor or midwife about this might be challenging, but it’s crucial. They can help you through your struggles. They can recommend the finest care and assistance for you if you speak with them.

A designated expert, often your general practitioner or midwife, should assist you both during your pregnancy and after delivery. They are going to:

• get you ready for the changes your body will undergo.
• contact you often to enquire about your well-being.
• provide you with additional prenatal checkups.
• discuss with you the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and proper nourishment for both you and your unborn child.

Your psychological well-being

Your weight may occasionally be impacted by depression or any other mental health issue. According to one in five women have mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. Depression, anxiety, and low mood are prevalent. However, assistance is accessible.

Converse with a medical professional or physician assuming you are worried about how you are feeling.

Work out

Consider taking extra days off if you have a hectic lifestyle or engage in much physical activity. Being active during pregnancy is still vital, but you don’t have to exceed the suggested 30 minutes five times a week. Learn more about the recommended level of physical activity during pregnancy.

To help you control your weight and maintain your health throughout pregnancy, keep in mind that exercise doesn’t have to be intense. You might try several more moderate activities, including yoga, Pilates, walking, or swimming.

Insufficient funds

If you don’t have enough money for food, speak with your doctor or midwife. Perhaps they can put you in touch with services that can help.

You might be able to find a food bank through the Trussell Trust or your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau. The Healthy Start program in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or the Best Start Food program in Scotland, may also be available to you. Both provide you with a card that may be used to purchase vitamins, milk, and nutritious meals.

Additionally, there are applications like Too Good to Go that link you to stores that offer food at deeply discounted prices as it approaches its expiration date. There may be some unhealthy food on the apps, but keep an eye out for grocery cartons of fruits and vegetables as well as other nutritious alternatives.

Advice for Reaching a Healthy Weight Target While Expectant

During the second trimester, underweight women should try to increase their daily caloric intake by around 400, and during the third trimester, they should strive for 400–600 calories. The following are some tactics that encourage steady weight increase during pregnancy:

• Throughout the day, eat modest, frequent meals every couple of hours. Try eating six smaller, bite-sized snacks about every two hours rather than three meals a day. Morning sickness can also be avoided by eating small, frequent meals.
• Consume high-calorie beverages, such as full-fat smoothies and whole milk with protein powder added.
• Avoid skipping breakfast, particularly if you experience morning sickness or feel ill.
• Add cheese and choose for mashed potatoes rather than roasted potatoes. You may also add cheese to steaming veggies like broccoli. Dress your salads with greasy salad dressings.
• Consume wholesome pre-workout snacks or a high-calorie protein smoothie after working out.
• Always include a range of fiber, protein, and nutritious fats in your meals.
• Avoid processed meals like bread, chips, and crackers, and increase your intake of calorie-dense foods that are good for you and your unborn child, including walnuts, kale, and whole-grain bread.
• Add more butter, cream cheese, fat cheese, and high-calorie olive oil. Or mix a couple of teaspoons of powdered milk into scrambled eggs or hot cereal.
• Prenatal vitamins should be taken both before and throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the daily intake of several nutrients, including calcium, iron, and folate (folic acid). Your baby’s complete and healthy growth and development depends on these vitamins.
• Eating a range of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is the best approach to ensure that you are getting enough nutrients. foods high in calcium, like milk, almond milk, and Greek or plain yogurt; foods high in protein, like beans, eggs, fish, and poultry; and foods high in healthy fats, such as oil and nuts.
• Nuts, whole-grain crackers with cheese, nut butter, hummus, or avocado, sliced fruit with nut butter spread, sandwiches made with whole-grain bread, creamy soups, high-fiber oats with fresh fruit, and chopped nuts are examples of high-calorie, nutrient-dense snacks.

How can I ensure that the weight increase I experience throughout pregnancy is healthy?

Aim for a gradual weight increase throughout pregnancy and try to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Steer clear of sugary drinks, cakes, and other unhealthy foods and beverages that are high in sugar and saturated fat. Your kid needs nourishment to grow and develop properly, and these foods don’t provide it. Aim for frequent, healthful meals and the odd snack instead.

Consult your midwife and doctor. if you’re unsure of how to modify your eating habits healthily. Their companies may be able to arrange for further help for you.

The Dangers of Underweight During Pregnancy:

Morning sickness and appetite loss are frequent causes of weight loss in the first trimester, but malnourishment is a serious issue for women who are already underweight. Risks from malnutrition include:

• ‍Miscarriage
• Premature birth
• Nausea and exhaustion
• A higher chance of nutritional deficits, such as anemia

Hazards to the developing fetus:

• Low birth weight
• Delays in growth and development

‍Underweight mothers may find it difficult to breastfeed.

Conclusion

Consult your physician for advice on how much weight you should acquire to ensure a safe pregnancy if you are underweight and expecting. You can attain the proper nutritional objectives by collaborating with a nutritionist who specializes in maternal nutrition. The most crucial thing is to concentrate on eating healthily and reducing adequate weight throughout the crucial second and third trimesters to maximize the health of your unborn child.

FAQs

References

• Sharma, S. (2024, March 18). Underweight during pregnancy Expert explains the Impact of maternal underweight on pregnancy and infant health. Onlymyhealth. https://www.onlymyhealth.com/impact-of-maternal-underweight-on-pregnancy-and-infant-health-1710742016
• My Family Birth Center. (2024, October 3). Underweight in pregnancy. https://www.myfamilybirthcenter.com/underweight-in-pregnancy/
• Team, A. C. (2024, September 18). Tips for Underweight Pregnant Women | Dr. Ahuja Clinic Chandigarh | Dr. Ruchi Rai Ahuja | Dr Alok Ahuja. Dr Ahuja Clinic Chandigarh | Dr. Ruchi Rai Ahuja | Dr Alok Ahuja. https://drahujaclinic.com/tips-for-underweight-pregnant-women/