belly fat when pregnant

Pregnancy is a phase of a women’s life that brings multiple changes to her body. Whether it is your first one or 5th, every pregnancy is different. Pregnancy is a transition state that brings changes in hormones and body weight. Not just your belly is growing but your overall body weight increases.

Pregnant women have multiple questions roaming and stressing in their minds. One of the most common questions which pregnant women have relates to their belly fat. What happens to existing belly fat when pregnant? Will I be gaining excessive weight during pregnancy? Is it possible to lose belly fat when pregnant?

Below we will discuss in detail what happens to exist in belly fat when pregnant and how can you lose belly fat when pregnant.

First of all congratulations, on your pregnancy love. You may be curious about the changes developing in your body especially if you are a First-time mommy. Once you enter the second trimester, you will feel growth in your stomach. It is because your uterus is expanding since the growing baby requires more space.

When you will reach 12 to 16 weeks you will start looking pregnant. The stomach grows and stretches to accommodate your baby. Even if you are not overweight or have perfect body weight, you will need to wear maternity clothes instead of regular clothes.

What Happens to Existing Belly Fat When Pregnant?

Those women who are overweight before pregnancy with a large belly might experience a different sort of change in their stomach. Women with existing belly fat when getting pregnant, won’t feel their stomach becoming bigger rather they will notice changes in the shape of the stomach. It becomes round. However, there is nothing to worry about since it is a normal indication of a healthy growing fetus.

An average weight gain of a pregnant woman depends on her BMI before pregnancy. Women with a normal BMI rate should gain 35-45 pounds. For overweight women, it is best to gain less weight during their pregnancy. They should be gaining a maximum of 25 pounds.

Drawbacks of Overweight Pregnancies

It is crucial to gain and maintain a significant amount of weight during pregnancy for the betterment of yourself and the baby. When you gain the appropriate amount of weight it helps the fetus to grow in a healthy manner. It further reduces the chances of the baby becoming obese in later life.

Another drawback of gaining excessive weight during pregnancy is the chances of developing gestational diabetes and high blood pressure issues. Overweight pregnancy can even lead towards birth defects and miscarriages. When you have excessive belly fat it becomes difficult to monitor fetal development. The delivery of overweight mommies becomes prolonged and difficult.

Does Your Body Gain More Fat While Pregnant?

what happens to existing belly fat when pregnant

Yes, your body is gaining more fat and weight during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. Since the fetus is growing in size it will be needing more nutrition. You can provide a sufficient amount of energy to your baby only if your body itself has enough nutrition and energy.

Healthy Habits to Follow for Overweight Pregnant

If you are overweight and worried about the difficulties you can see during your pregnancy then you should not be much worried because there are many healthy habits that you can adopt. These easy lifestyle changes can help you lose weight during your pregnancy period.

Healthy habits to follow for overweight pregnant

Increase Your Physical Activity

If you are fed up with the increase in overweight pregnant belly week by week and the hanging belly fat during pregnancy is giving you anxiety then you should keep yourself active. When you are doing exercise in moderation like walking, it helps your body to maintain fat levels.

The activity reduces pain and aches during pregnancy. A minimum of 30 minutes of exercise is perfect for pregnant women. To burn belly fat and increase your flexibility you can also try yoga and jogging. But before following any exercise regimen you should first consult your doctor.

Follow or Healthy Well-balanced Diet

For the proper growth of your baby, it is essential to follow a balanced nutritious diet including green vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits, lean meat, and dairy products. You should consume protein from food sources like eggs, lean meat, and beans.

You should also keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water. Your body can get rid of pollutants with the help of water. Keep away yourself from drinks which have too much sugar.

Avoid eating high-calorie snacks like cakes, brownies, candies, and donuts. Instead, you can eat fruits and dry fruit. You should also avoid full-fat dairy products, oil, butter, mayonnaise, and cheese in moderation.

Watch out for Your Calorie Intake

Consuming excessive calories, especially in the form of carbohydrates is the biggest culprit for gaining weight and fats in the body. Although you should be consuming excessive calories for the healthy growth of your baby. But if you will take them in higher amounts it will only result in excessive weight gain in your body.

When you are in your first trimester since the fetus is very small you do not require excessive calories. However, in the second and third trimesters, the baby is growing inside your belly and needs extra nutrition. Therefore, you should be taking 350 to 500 extra calories in your diet.

The additional calories should come from a healthy and nutritious diet rather than unhealthy food. Discuss with your nutritionist what you should eat and avoid during your pregnancy.

A Workout Guideline for Belly Fat When Pregnant

Workout guideline for belly fat when pregnant.

You should definitely consult your doctor before following any workout routine. But generally, the following exercises are harmless during pregnancy

  • You can do meditation for calming Your body and mind
  • Yoga works wonders in burning belly fat and you can easily perform it during pregnancy
  • Walking 15 to 20 minutes every day is an excellent exercise for pregnant women
  • You can also do jogging slowly
  • Stretching your body helps in reducing body pain and prepares your body for smooth delivery.

Need to See Doctor If You’re Pregnant & Overweight?

Whether you are overweight or not, pregnancy is a sensitive matter and you should consult a doctor for all your queries. If your doctor advises you on something you should follow it and if your doctor says you’re perfectly healthy even after being overweight then you don’t need to stress out.

Final Thoughts

There will be a significant difference between fat pregnant vs skinny pregnant bodies. But it doesn’t mean that you should become worried. If you are following a healthy diet and maintaining the appropriate weight during your pregnancy then fat under pregnant belly or being 3 months pregnant belly fat Person thoughts should not bother you.

Every body type is different hence every pregnancy brings different changes to a women’s body. If your baby is growing well you should not stress about anything. However, to clear your concerns you should definitely visit your doctor.

FAQs

How Can I Get in Shape While Pregnant?

You can get in shape while pregnant by following a healthy diet plan, increasing your physical activity, and reducing your calorie intake.

When Will My Fat Turn into a Baby Bump?

The best way to reduce belly fat whether you’re pregnant or not is to modify your eating habits. You should be consuming whole grain, high protein, green vegetables, and fresh fruits diet instead of munching on unhealthy junk food. Within a few days, you will start noticing differences in your body.

How Much Weight Can You Gain During Pregnancy?

Weight gain during pregnancy depends on the body mass index of a person. Pregnant women may be underweight, normal weight, slightly overweight, or obese. Depending on the condition the weight gain varies from 15-45 pounds

Pregnancy Safety Tips for Overweight Women

If you’re thinking about what happens to your existing belly fat during pregnancy or how to get rid of belly fat during pregnancy then the best answer is to watch out what you eat.
Avoid excessive sugar and carbs in your diet. You should consume lots of water. Increase your physical activity. Still, if you face any difficulty, immediately consult your doctor.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *