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Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Healthy weight gain is important during pregnancy for the health of the mother and the growing baby. Gaining the right amount of weight (not too much or too little) supports a healthy pregnancy and delivery. It also helps the baby have a healthy start and long-term health.
Gaining the right amount of weight reduces the mother’s risk for health complications during pregnancy and birth such as:
gestational diabetes
high blood pressure in pregnancy
complications during birth (e.g., a C-section)
preterm birth
Healthy weight gain during pregnancy also helps the mother to maintain a healthy weight after pregnancy and be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Pregnancy is not the time to go on a diet or lose weight.
Gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy helps the baby have:
a trauma-free birth
a healthy weight at birth
an easier breastfeeding experience
a lower risk of being overweight later in life
It is recommended that pregnant people talk to their healthcare provider early in their pregnancy to learn how much weight they should gain during pregnancy. Together, they can set an agreed weight gain goal and come up with strategies to meet the goal.
Recommendations for Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Healthy eating and regular physical activity are important for maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy and for the health of the growing baby.
Pregnant people can enjoy a variety of healthy foods by following Canada’s Food Guide.
Tips for Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
Eat twice as healthy, not twice as much.
Just a little more food is needed each day, but not until the second and third trimesters.
Certain nutrients are important during pregnancy. These include vitamin D, folic acid, and iron. Community dietitians and other healthcare providers can provide information about how to get enough of these important nutrients.
Eat twice as healthy, not twice as much.
It is also important to be physically active during pregnancy. Being active has many benefits for the growing baby and helps the mother feel better too. If not already active, it is important to start slowly and to speak to a healthcare provider before beginning any new activity.
Safe physical activities during pregnancy include the following:
Walking
Gardening
Hunting
Housework
Playing actively with children
Swimming
Snowshoeing
Prenatal yoga
Being pregnant is a great time to make healthy food choices and be active. Both mother and baby will be better for it!
An evidence-based app created for pregnant people living in Saskatchewan that can be used to track weight gain electronically. To use the app to track weight gain during pregnancy, go to ‘My Weight Gain’, which is found under the ‘My Health’ feature in the app. For more information, visit: www.skprevention.ca/my-saskatchewan-pregnancy/.
If you are a healthcare provider and want to learn more about how to support pregnant people with their weight gain during pregnancy, the following are some useful resources.
Healthy weight gain is important during pregnancy for the health of the mother and the growing baby. Gaining the right amount of weight (not too much or too little) supports a healthy pregnancy and delivery. It also helps the baby have a healthy start and long-term health.
Gaining the right amount of weight reduces the mother’s risk for health complications during pregnancy and birth such as:
gestational diabetes
high blood pressure in pregnancy
complications during birth (e.g., a C-section)
preterm birth
Healthy weight gain during pregnancy also helps the mother to maintain a healthy weight after pregnancy and be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Pregnancy is not the time to go on a diet or lose weight.
Gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy helps the baby have:
a trauma-free birth
a healthy weight at birth
an easier breastfeeding experience
a lower risk of being overweight later in life
It is recommended that pregnant people talk to their healthcare provider early in their pregnancy to learn how much weight they should gain during pregnancy. Together, they can set an agreed weight gain goal and come up with strategies to meet the goal.
Recommendations for Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Healthy eating and regular physical activity are important for maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy and for the health of the growing baby.
Pregnant people can enjoy a variety of healthy foods by following Canada’s Food Guide.
Tips for Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
Eat twice as healthy, not twice as much.
Just a little more food is needed each day, but not until the second and third trimesters.
Certain nutrients are important during pregnancy. These include vitamin D, folic acid, and iron. Community dietitians and other healthcare providers can provide information about how to get enough of these important nutrients.
Eat twice as healthy, not twice as much.
It is also important to be physically active during pregnancy. Being active has many benefits for the growing baby and helps the mother feel better too. If not already active, it is important to start slowly and to speak to a healthcare provider before beginning any new activity.
Safe physical activities during pregnancy include the following:
Walking
Gardening
Hunting
Housework
Playing actively with children
Swimming
Snowshoeing
Prenatal yoga
Being pregnant is a great time to make healthy food choices and be active. Both mother and baby will be better for it!
An evidence-based app created for pregnant people living in Saskatchewan that can be used to track weight gain electronically. To use the app to track weight gain during pregnancy, go to ‘My Weight Gain’, which is found under the ‘My Health’ feature in the app. For more information, visit: www.skprevention.ca/my-saskatchewan-pregnancy/.
If you are a healthcare provider and want to learn more about how to support pregnant people with their weight gain during pregnancy, the following are some useful resources.
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Building a Healthy Foundation: Nutrition for Families
The Supporting Parents Webinar Series focuses on topics to help parents and caregivers learn how to create environments that help children thrive. These webinars can be used as part of parenting groups or can be used by parents and caregivers independently. Interactive activities are used to share strategies and tips to enhance capacity to raise healthy, safe, and happy children. A recording of the webinar content and activity instructions will be available after each event.
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The Supporting Parents Webinar Series focuses on topics to help parents and caregivers learn how to create environments that help children thrive. These webinars can be used as part of parenting groups or can be used by parents and caregivers independently. Interactive activities are used to share strategies and tips to enhance capacity to raise healthy, safe, and happy children. A recording of the webinar content and activity instructions will be available after each event.
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