Why Am I Losing Weight While Pregnant?

Expecting a bundle of joy is usually accompanied by a few extra pounds, but what happens when the scale starts tipping in the opposite direction? You may wonder, 'Why am I losing weight while pregnant?' And this question may keep you up at night. While this situation may raise concerns and leave you wondering what's going on, don't fret just yet. Read on to understand the reasons of losing weight during pregnancy.

You can lose weight during pregnancy due to several reasons, such as:

• Morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, and aversion to certain foods make eating the desired quantity difficult. While pregnant, particularly during the second trimester, you need an additional 300-500 calories per day.

• If you are going through stress or anxiety, you may have a loss of appetite or difficulty sleeping, which can lead to weight loss.

• Burning more calories in physical activity can be a cause of weight loss.

Weight Loss in 1st trimester

Losing a little bit of weight in the first trimester is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Some common causes are loss of appetite due to morning sickness, vomiting, and nausea, making it difficult for expectant moms to eat the normal quantity of food. However, losing 5-10% of your total body weight is a cause for concern, and you should consult your doctor.

Weight loss can also be due to regular workouts and consuming only healthy foods. In rare cases, a woman can lose weight because of hyperemesis gravidarum, a complication due to severe morning sickness. The symptoms are vomiting more than 5 times a day, dehydration, excruciating stomach pain, frequent urination, weakness or dizziness.

Weight Loss Through Week 40

If you are losing weight in late pregnancy or through week 40, you must consult a doctor because it can affect the growth and development of the baby. Weight loss could be due to several reasons - insufficient amniotic fluid in your body, poor foetal growth, and pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. As growing babies gain most weight during the final trimester, the mother also gains weight. If you notice any weight loss, which may not be alarming all the time, it is still best to seek medical attention.

What to Do ?

It’s not a normal thing to lose weight during the second or third trimester. So, if you lose appetite, feel nauseous, dizzy, or lose weight, talk to your doctor, who may prescribe supplements, medications, or even IV fluids to make you feel better.

Tips to avoid

Below tips can help you avoid losing weight during your pregnancy:

• Eat something light soon after you wake up in the morning.

• Eat small meals at regular intervals. This can help take care of nausea.

• Avoid smells and foods that make you sick.

• Drink enough water to stay hydrated & maintain a healthy weight.

• Take healthy snacks between meals.

• Take prenatal vitamins as prescribed,

• Sleep well and relax as much as possible to manage stress and prevent weight loss.