How Does Weight Loss Affect Pregnancy?

Fat Before Carbs

Weight loss during pregnancy can cause ketosis to take place. This is normally seen when following a high protein diet, such as the Atkins Diet. Ketosis is a process where the body starts breaking down and using fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Ketones are the end by product of this that develop in the system and can be detrimental and toxic to the developing brain of a fetus. There are dipsticks that can be bought at drug stores that measure the amount of ketones in the urine.

Timing of Weight Loss

Mental retardation can develop in the fetus if weight loss occurs during pregnancy. But if this should happen to occur closer to term, then the brain of the baby can be salvaged and the head will be of normal size, but there is a chance that the body will be smaller than normal. If the weight loss occurs early on in the pregnancy and it continues, then the brain can be affected and the head and body can be smaller than normal.

It's Not All Bad

In the event that an obese woman becomes pregnant, it can actually be beneficial to lose some weight during pregnancy. Being that the baby is going to already add additional weight and stress to the lower back and joints, losing some weight will actually have a positive effect on the body. It is not recommended to actually start a weight loss program, but staying active by exercising five to six days a week for 30 minutes at a moderate intensity would be fine. Walking is one of the best exercises.