High-risk pregnancy ensuring the best possible outcome by Dr. Beena Jeysingh

Pregnancy, a nine-month period of caretaking, is a time of happiness and joy for every mother. It also brings along a new set of anxieties. While most pregnancies are uneventful and without any sudden surprises, some pregnancies may be categorised as “high-risk”.

What is a “high-risk” pregnancy?

A “high-risk” pregnancy is one in which the mother, fetus, or both are at increased risk, before, during or after the delivery.

What causes these risks?

Terming a pregnancy as “high-risk” may lead to unnecessary anxiety when the outcome is eventually uneventful. In some cases, the pregnancy can continue smoothly, despite the presence of a significant past medical history. If a risk factor is identified, the mother is informed of the complications associated in a sensitive manner.

Some of the factors that can put women at risk are:

  1. Maternal age:

The age of the expectant mother is an important risk factor. Women under 17 or over 35 years of age are at a higher risk.

  1. Bad Obstetric History
  • A history of three or more miscarriages/complications in earlier pregnancies
  • History of genetic abnormalities in prior pregnancy
  • Rh (rhesus) sensitisation in the previous pregnancy (a dangerous condition which puts the mother at risk, if her blood group is Rh–and the baby’s blood group is Rh+)
III. Medical Conditions
  • Tuberculosis (TB), infections like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, thyroid dysfunction, etc.
  1. Risks that may occur during pregnancy:

Even if a person is healthy at the start of the pregnancy, development of the following conditions can put her in the high-risk category:

  • Communicable diseases like chicken pox, rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, etc.
  • Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, preeclampsia (caused due to high blood pressure eventually damaging other organs like the kidneys), gestational diabetes (pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes), multiple pregnancy (conception of twins, triplets or quadruplets), antepartum haemorrhage (vaginal bleeding), etc.
  • Complications with the developing fetus like heart disease, skeletal malformations, neural tube defects, etc.
  1. Risks that may develop during labour and delivery:
  • Placental abnormalities, such as placenta accreta (placenta that enters the uterine muscle thus making separation of placenta from uterus)), may be discovered rarely during pregnancy or after delivery.

What are the signs of a high-risk pregnancy?

It is important to learn about issues that you might encounter during the course of your pregnancy. It would be helpful to learn about a few symptoms that could cause concern, like:

  • Frequent contractions of uterus in preterm period
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Persistent headaches
  • Edema of lower limbs

What should I do if I my pregnancy is categorised as high-risk?

Mothers with chances of a high-risk pregnancy will have regular antenatal check-up and may require to visit the doctor more frequently for routine prenatal screening tests and special tests are done to ensure that the baby is developing well and to keep the mother out of risk.

A specialised multidisciplinary team may be involved to tackle associated complications in mother, if any to help women at “high-risk” to have a safe and healthy pregnancy, and aid in completion of the term of pregnancy.

Who will I be referred to?

Your regular obstetrician will guide you throughout your pregnancy and cross reference as per risk condition will be given to physician or nephrologist or neurologist or any other speciality of medicine.

How can I have a healthy pregnancy?

In order to have a healthy pregnancy, the following are advised:

  • Consult with the doctor before conception:

The mother-to-be’s medical condition will be assessed and she will be advised accordingly. In addition to prescribing supplements for a healthy pregnancy, if required, the existing treatment can be revised/adjusted in preparation for pregnancy.

  • Regular check-ups:

Regular visits to the doctor will help in constant monitoring of the mother’s and the baby’s health. Based on these periodic assessments, the medications can be altered and the expectant mother can be referred to a specialist, if required.

  • Healthy lifestyle habits:

In addition to a healthy diet and appropriate supplements, it is also important to ensure that the mother-to-be gains weight the healthy way. Exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and the intake of other harmful agents will help in reducing unforeseen risks.

How will I be cared for after the delivery?

Mothers are closely monitored for development of any complications and the newborn is under the care of a neonatologist and need be monitored in a NICU.

by

Dr. Beena Jeysingh

Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, hormonal changes lower your immunity and affect your immune system. Your unborn baby is more susceptible to the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause food-borne illness.

Food-borne illnesses such as toxoplasmosis, salmonella and listeriosis can cause serious illnesses in mother and baby.Toxoplasmosis may cause flu-like symptoms in the pregnant mother. Listeriosis causes few or no symptoms to the mother but can be transferred to the baby and can lead to miscarriage, still birth, premature birth or may make the newborn very ill. You can reduce the risk of listeriosis by taking simple food hygiene steps at home and avoiding certain high risk foods. Salmonella can cause illnesses such as typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and food poisoning.

If you have any concerns about symptoms or illnesses, please consult your doctor. Keep this checklist handy to help ensure that you and your unborn baby stay healthy and safe.

Food to be avoidedReason
Soft CHEESE made from unpasteurized milk, including Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, and queso frescoHot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented or dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultryMay contain Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella.
Certain kinds of FISH, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (golden or white snapper)Contains high levels of mercury.
Unpasteurized JUICEMay contain E. coli.
SALADS made in a store (unwashed vegetables)May contain Listeria. It is essential to make sure that they are washed thoroughly to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis.
Raw or undercooked SPROUTS, such as alfalfa and moong beansMay contain E. coli or Salmonella.
Raw Eggs/eggnog and mayonnaiseUnder cooked/ raw eggs may contain Salmonella.
Caffeine (Coffee/Tea/Aerated drinks, etc)Although most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is not harmful but there are others reveal that caffeine intake may be related to miscarriages. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body.
AlcoholPrenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.

Contact our Nutrition Department to know more about foods that needs to be avoided and included for safe pregnancy.

Pregnant , Stay Healthy By Dr. Faiza Waliullah

Pregnant? Tips for a healthy one!

There are a number of different emotions people go through when they discover they are pregnant. Excitement is perhaps the most common, but it is also natural to experience a bit of anxiety, especially while considering the best things to do for good health of the mother and baby. Often there are many questions, ranging from what food is safe to eat to exercise tips in order to stay healthy. We’ll be answering some of those questions here.

Exercise

It is important that most women take part in regular exercise.Moderate exercise is safe and can benefit both mother and child in most cases. However, you do need to be sensible as to the extent you decide to exercise and ensure you don’t over-extend yourself, especially if you’re not used to regular exercise. The guidelines for physical activity are no different for pregnant women than for the rest of the population – at least 30 minutes worth of moderate-intensity exercise a day.

Diet and dietary supplements

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is really important during pregnancy, and although you may feel hungrier than before, you should avoid eating for two. Gaining too much weight can lead to complications laterand can make it difficult to move around after your baby has been born. The World Health Organization suggests a weight gain of 10-14 kg is ideal for limiting the chance of complications later on.

When planning meals, a third of your plate should be starch-based food, such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. This should be eaten with fruits and vegetables, with moderate amounts of protein. Your baby needs plenty of iron, calcium and folic acid from a very early stage of pregnancy, so it is vital you include these in your diet. You’ll find iron in many sources, including red meat, fish, pulses, seeds and green vegetables. Low-fat dairy products are good sources of calcium, while green vegetables and fortified cereals are ideal for folic acid.

While eating fish is very healthy as it contains plenty of vital nutrients, you should be wary of the type of fish you are eating. Some fish contain high levels of mercury, which can affect your baby’s nervous system. Tuna should be limited to two steaks or four medium cans a week, while shark, swordfish and marlin should be avoided. Uncooked shellfish and raw fish should be cut out of your diet, while you should also avoid foods that are rich in vitamin A, such as liver.

Alcohol

During pregnancy, you must avoid alcohol altogether. Alcohol stays in baby’s system much longer than an adult’s as it is unable to process it properly, which can cause serious problems. Heavy drinking while pregnant can lead to fetaldeformities, brain damage and low birth weight, known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Even light drinking can be problematic and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in the UK advise that if you are pregnant, do not drink at all.

Smoking

If you are a smoker and you get pregnant, it is strongly advisable to stop as quickly as you can. As well as damaging your own health, the poisonous chemicals in tobacco can increase your risk of miscarriage or slow down the growth of your baby. It can also bring about early labour and stillbirth. Even after the baby has been born, the chances of it developing chest infections or asthma, or being at risk of cot death are greatly increased if either parent is a smoker.

Medicines

Some medicines (such as paracetamol) are perfectly safe to take while you are pregnant, but there are many medicines where there is insufficient evidence of their possible effects on your baby. This means it is generally advisable to limit your use of medications unless absolutely necessary – even herbal and natural remedies should be checked out with your doctor first. If you are unsure about safety of a medicine, seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Wishing you health & happiness!

Dr. Faiza Waliullah
Motherhood, Hyderabad

Diet tips for a winter pregnancy by Mrs. Edwina Raj

Being pregnant in winter is definitely better compared to summer as the cooler weather balances your naturally high internal temperature. It reduces the increased sweating during the third trimester. Although, winter is also associated with flu, common cold, infections, chills, etc.

Diet for Pregnancy during winter needs to be taken special care of. Your food intake is responsible for boosting your immunity. You must also keep yourself well hydrated and prevent your skin from becoming dry.

Here are some healthy eating tips to keep you and your growing foetus safe during winter:

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure a robust immunity.
  • Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Add it to chutneys or drink it as amla juice, or you have it as sweet amla murabba. Vitamin C helps your body fight infection, and acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
  • Drink kesar (saffron-few strands) milk which is also an antioxidant to help in improving your immune system.
  • To keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip water regularly. It is important to stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty.

by Mrs. Edwina Raj , Nutritionist.

10 More Vegetarian Superfoods For Pregnant Women

In our earlier blog, we had discussed the top 10 Superfoods for Vegetarians. These are 10 more Super Rich & Nutritious foods that make a remarkable impact on your health. Pregnancy is the most beautiful feeling any woman can ever experience. Throughout the three trimesters, your body floods out various hormones to adjust to bearing and nurture a new life within.

Along with healthy food, regular exercise can prevent the risk of birth defects and depression. Low iron levels can cause lethargy during pregnancy. Hence, Vegetarians need to take efforts persistently to include the below mentioned superfoods to account for the nutrients quintessentially required to meet the needs of the developing fetus as well as the energy requirements of the mother.

 

1)Tofu

Essential Nutrients: Packed with protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin K.

Health Benefits: Essential for normal blood clotting, particularly after the birth, helps in building essential cells that forms vital body organs.

2)Avocado

Essential Nutrients: Powered with protein, folic acid, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, high calories.

Health Benefits: Helps in forming your baby’s brain and nervous system, building up tissues, helps to combat morning sickness. The high calorie helps those who want to gain weight during pregnancy.

3)Cereal

Essential Nutrients: Power house of energy, folic acid, fibre and vitamin B.

Health Benefits: Fortified cereals make great for an energetic breakfast. You need energy as you progress through your trimesters to support your child as well.

4)Cabbage

Essential Nutrients: Wholesome goodness of thiamin, folic acid, vitamin E, A, B6, C, K, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, fibre & iron.

Health Benefits: These vitamins aid in healthy breast-milk production. Chilled cabbage leaves placed in your bra help to soothe sore breasts during & after pregnancy. Magnesium improves blood flow.

5)Chickpeas

Essential Nutrients: Rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and folic acid.

Health Benefits: Hummous (made from chickpeas) with peta bread makes a tasty snack. Fibre balances glucose levels; iron helps combat anaemia.Folic acid is vital for baby’s development.

6)Oils and Fats

Essential Nutrients: Entails omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants.

Health Benefits: Quintessential for cell function, brain and eye development.Go for the extra virgin olive oil. it lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health by providing protection against heart disease, depression, cancer, high cholesterol and dementia.

7)Oatmeal

Essential Nutrients: Packed with fiber, protein and vitamin B6. It can be fortified with iron & folic acid.

Health Benefits: Whole grains containing complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly after you have eaten it. A bowl of oatmeal or porridge is a great start to the day and will help combat any fatigue which sets in mid-morning.

8)Tomatoes

Essential Nutrients: Contains vitamins A and C.

Health Benefits: Low fat tomatoes have the ability to regulate blood sugar, reduce stress, cure headaches and even protection against gall & kidney stones.

9)Going Nuts over Nuts

Essential Nutrients: Proteins, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, magnesium, Vitamin E.

Health Benefits: They are memory-boosting foods, helps development of child’s brain and eyes, reduced risk of premature baby. Indulge guilt-free in almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, reduced risk of heart diseases.

10)Whole Wheat

Essential Nutrients: Plentiful of iron, fiber, Vitamin B complex and protein.

Health Benefits: Along with energy boost to the body, it releases energy from muscles, iron fights anemia & eases constipation. Brown rice & millets are considered a healthier option.

A Brand New Wardrobe for the Mommies-to-be!

It’s that time in your life where you stare at your wardrobe and tell yourself that you have nothing to wear. Certain things have to be kept in mind when you join the league of the mommies-to-be. Everything takes an extra effort, your diet, your daily regime and even your wardrobe. You must be elated about having a baby but at the same time the prospect of giving up all your lovely outfits and accepting yourself in extra-large dresses must be eating you up. This is a common notion around.

Accessorizing an existing wardrobe is completely different from creating a whole new one, especially if you are an expecting mother. Wardrobe tweaking can be delightful if done with the right mindset and knowledge.

Comfort is of utmost importance while picking clothes for your new wardrobe. If it is a single pregnancy, chances of showing are lesser till the second trimester. You might still be able to fit into your loose clothes till then. But it is always better to have some clothes ready, just in case you start showing earlier during the single pregnancy cases. Having a practical collection in hand is always convenient.

Dressing smart is as important as dressing comfortable. Switch to trousers from Jeans and team them up with a smart top. A pair of jeans or trousers that are low-cut and adaptable to your widening waistline is a smart choice. Your maternity wardrobe must include tops that are loose and comfortable. Wrap-around tops are comparatively better because they fit you according to your body shape and size. Similar to wrap-around tops are wrap-around skirts which make a lovely combination with the tops.

Shopping smart is the key to a practical maternity wardrobe. Clothes made out of lycra or cotton jersey tend to be stretchable and can prove to be useful during the pregnancy term. An important detail which most women are likely to forget is that the body temperature keeps fluctuating often during pregnancy. Wearing layers is probably the best bet during this phase because you can either put on or take off the layers according to the temperature.

It is not necessary for you to hide in extra-large tent like dresses if you are pregnant. You are at liberty to show off your best features and dress confidently. Wear a short skirt and show off your slim legs, or wear a sleeveless/cap-sleeve top to highlight your toned arms. Choose outfits which help you blend comfort with style. Match your outfits with accessories or scarves and deck up your maternity look.

Why do you need a Midwife?

If you are mother-to-be, you start preparing yourself for a number of things which you wouldn’t follow much if you weren’t expecting. You start following a proper schedule which lays down your activities for the day like how much time to spend on exercising, or at what intervals to eat etc. Taking you through this pregnancy is the job of a midwife or a healthcare provider who is in charge of prenatal care, the delivery, postpartum services.

Women usually see an OB-GYN during their pregnancy. But there are a lot of women in India who choose to have the guidance of both OB-GYNs and Midwives. Sometimes, they also opt for their family physician. But in most of the cases, the family physicians would have discontinued obstetrics training as it does fall under the purview of their predominant services. The whole idea behind appointing a midwife is for the mother to be comfortable as they do not share the same level of comfort with their doctors.

Your healthcare provider can be your OB-GYN, your midwife, your family physician, nurse practitioners, or perinatologists (doctors specializing in high-risk pregnancy). Usually, midwives are qualified enough when it comes to providing you with a quality pregnancy i.e. giving you a good pre-natal care and help you if you have a normal pregnancy. They help you experience the childbirth you want to experience. Midwives are exceptionally good at providing care and attention during term pregnancy and are easy to connect with. More than the physical care, they are also good at providing mental support and care to the pregnant woman and her family. They respect your wishes and practice what is in the right setting for you.

However, in cases of high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy which involves complications it is always better to consult a specialist. There are a lot of nurse practitioners who ace at dealing with complications during pregnancy but it is any day recommended that you see a specialist as a safe measure. Pregnant women must avoid in all circumstances, the intake of medications unless suggested by the healthcare provider. These medications must be discussed with the midwife before consumption. Not just the medications, every issue that arises during pregnancy like morning sickness, diet plans, exercise routines etc. should be discussed with the midwife.

Midwives usually have the knack of being able to help you deal with crisis during pregnancy like fever, vaginal bleeding, belly pain, irregular movements of the baby etc or any sort of emotional disturbance, mental trauma etc. These circumstances are difficult to deal with, and your midwife helps you get through such situations. Also they help you get through delivery with much more ease as compared to the doctor.

Quality Of Pregnancy

" Essential Pre-natal Services & Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy - Motherhood Hospital India"

Before the advent of modern age medicine, not a lot of mothers and their babies would survive pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy and fetal development takes a toll on both the mother and the baby and thus requires a lot of efforts from the side of the mother. Being a mother instills a lot of strength and patience in a woman.
In cases where the mother or the baby or both do not survive the pregnancy and the childbirth process, the quality of pregnancy is blamed most of the times. The quality of pregnancy depends upon a lot of things but most importantly it depends on good pre-natal care. It can significantly improve the quality of pregnancy and ensure that the upshot for the mother and the baby is good.

To begin with quality pre-natal care involves a lot of things like nutrition, routine ultrasounds, frequent examinations of the mother and the baby for any sort of diseases or infections etc. and if found any, then treatment for those diseases. Good health habits are instrumental in ensuring that the quality of pregnancy remains good. Ultrasounds are highly essential in order to monitor the baby and to detect any problems with the baby, if any. Regular pre-natal examinations include routine screening for problems/diseases/infections in the mother’s body to check for Blood pressure issues, Diabetes, any kind of genetic disorders, blood type issues like ABO and Rh, STDs, protein in the urine etc.

The quality of pregnancy diminishes due to either lack of resources to keep the mother healthy or due to carelessness. Miscarriages that happen because of a poor pre-natal attention can easily be avoided by ensuring that the expecting mother is given enough attention and care for to keep her and her child healthy. Pre-natal care also helps in analyzing cases of high-risk pregnancy and monitoring the baby and the mother throughout the pregnancy.

The diet of the mother is of utmost importance during and after the pregnancy. The expecting mothers must follow a balanced diet, keeping in mind the weight management requirements. Folic acid should be a part of the motherŸ??s well-balanced diet without fail. A minimum of 0.4 milligrams of folic acid is necessary in the diet. Folic acid is essential because it helps in decreasing the risk of certain defects in birth.

In addition to the above mentioned points, pregnant women must also avoid all types of strong medication during pregnancy as they might hinder the process of fetal development by creating certain complications. Alcohol and tobacco must be strictly avoided during pregnancy and caffeine intake must be limited. Follow these steps and you can be assured of a good quality pregnancy.

Tips To Tackle Gestational Diabetes

Tips to Tackle Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy - Motherhood Hospital India

Gestational diabetes involves poor maternal regulation of blood sugar and can cause potential health problems for both the mother and the baby. Prevention is better than cure. Treatment involves making healthy choices. Women who adapt to changes in food habits and exercise regimen can keep their blood sugar level in check.

It is said that around 5% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Divide your calorie intake into roughly 45% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 30% fats. The constant change of hormones can mess with your body big time! Untreated gestational diabetes can cause your baby to gain weight too quickly, which increases the risk of premature delivery.

Regular Exercise Regimen

Moderate exercise during pregnancy helps your body control your blood sugar level. Ensure you work out 30 mins a day. You may also notice that you feel better and have more energy.

Slack The Sugar

We know you donŸ??t want to hear this one, especially if you have a sweet tooth. Limit the sugar content you eat. Be aware of the sugars in fruits and starchy foods with high glycemic index like potatoes and white bread. Every time your sugar is high, your pancreas goes into overdrive, trying to make enough insulin. Guess what itŸ??s doing to your babyŸ??s pancreas? The same thing. Avoid the sports drinks, canned juices, sodas and artificial sweeteners as well. If you crave sweets, opt for a small amount of something natural like fruit or sweet corn.

Plenty Of Protein

Women should get not more than 20% of their calories from protein. Meat, milk and dairy products, soybeans, legumes, nuts, and eggs are good sources.

The Friendly Fibers

Since our body takes longer to digest high fiber foods, it has plenty of time to deal with the sugars in those foods. So pairing a carb with a protein still gives the calories, without the extra carbs. That prevents harmful blood sugar spikes. Good sources of fiber include whole grains, leafy green vegetables like lettuce and broccoli, and beans.

Cut the Carbohydrates

When you digest carbohydrates, they quickly turn into simple sugars (glucose), often raising your blood sugar before your body has enough time to produce sufficient insulin to regulate the situation. Avoid any packaged foods, processed foods or restaurant foods. Include foods such as whole grain bread or an apple with the skin on. Include milk, brown rice, quinoa, peas, yogurt, beans, beetroot, sprouts and carrots.

Fats Off The Rack

Indulge in unsaturated fats like nuts, avocados, olive oil and fish. Keep the amount of saturated fats (animal fats) to 7% of your calorie intake. Obese women have a higher risk for high blood pressure and a blood circulation problem called preeclampsia. Monitor you glucose level closely every day.

Insulin Shots

If your blood sugar levels are still too high after changing the way you eat and exercising regularly, you may need insulin shots. Insulin can help lower your blood sugar level without harming your baby.

P.S Ÿ?? DonŸ??t quit

The lifestyle changes you make now will help you have a healthy pregnancy and prevent diabetes in the future.

Puzzled About Your Weight Gain During Pregnancy?

If you are expecting then you naturally tend to gain weight. But there is also the question of how much weight you should gain during pregnancy. Weight gain is vital during pregnancy as it affects the development of the baby. You must be prepared to gain about 12 kilograms of weight at an average. However, it differs from 8 to 16 kilograms in most of the cases of pregnant women. The best part you will shred this extra weight once you deliver your baby and reach your pre-pregnancy weight after a while. This extra weight you gain encompasses your baby’s weight and a lot of other fluids and tissues that come along as the part and parcel of pregnancy. You must keep in mind that this weight gain is necessary for your baby’s growth and not try losing weight or lessen your calorie intake. The baby needs the nutrients in order to grow at a healthy pace. Research claims that the average pregnant women requires only about an increment of 300 calories on her usual diet before the pregnancy. This will ensure that she gains the apt amount of weight for her pregnancy phase. Here is how much you should gain if you are a mommy-to-be, first three months 1 to 3 kilograms and 0.5 kilograms every week henceforth. In case if twins, you can gain 0.7 kilograms per week during the rest of your pregnancy period. And the amount of calorie intake when you are expecting twins is much higher i.e. about 3500 calories a day. Following is the break-up of the entire weight to be gained during pregnancy: The child 3.6 kgs Blood supply 1.85 kgs Amniotic fluid 1.3 kgs Placenta 1 to 1.5 kgs Breast tissue 1 to 1.3 kgs Enlarged uterus 0.90 to 2.5 kgs Stored fat for breastfeeding and delivery 2.5 kgs to 4 kgs This comes up to a sum total of about 12 to 15 kgs. To gain the precise amount of weight a pregnant woman must follow the below tips:
  • Have about five to six short meals a day.
  • Consume short-eats like dry fruits, ice-creams, yogurt etc.
  • Use a peanut butter bread spread. It contains 100 calories and 7 grams of protein. You can use the peanut butter on crackers or celery also.
  • Add butter, cheese, margarine etc to your meals. It will make it delicious and will serve the purpose.
The above mentioned tips will not only make the mother and the baby healthy, but also ensure that the necessary amount of calories is consumed. All the expecting women have to remember only one thing that the future of their baby’s health depends on them and do the needful.