Is weight gain after pregnancy normal? Important things about postpartum weight gain in Indian women?

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Numerous factors, including exhaustion, lack of time for a regular exercise programme, and underlying medical conditions such postpartum thyroiditis, diabetes, or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), can cause weight gain after pregnancy.

Many women gain weight long-term after giving birth because their weight stays high for a few months after giving birth. In the months following delivery, a lot of women desire rapid weight loss. However, you shouldn't hurry. A healthy diet and some exercise can help you lose weight after pregnancy. The blood volume must rise in order to adequately care for the infant. To have ample reserves, the mother gain weight after giving birth.

Part of the growth is also caused by water retention. Additionally, throughout pregnancy, organs like the uterus and breasts develop. A women's beginning weight is one factor that affects how much weight she gains. Before getting pregnant, a small, underweight woman will gain more weight than an obese or overweight woman.

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Of course, a woman's eating choices also influence the amount of weight she accumulates throughout pregnancy. Women always lose five to seven kg of weight after giving birth. After giving birth, the woman often needs six months or more to reach her pre-pregnancy weight.

After giving birth, the woman needs more energy than she did before because, among other things, her body needs to produce milk, care for the baby, and endure a physically taxing period. Quite a bit of weight is frequently shed again naturally. If a significant portion of the extra pregnancy weight hasn't been removed by six months to a year following delivery, it probably won't go away on its own in the coming months either.

Many newlyweds feel under pressure to regain their ideal weight as quickly as possible after giving birth because of what they see on social media. Only after obtaining the all-clear from the doctor and waiting at least three months following the delivery could serious sport be resumed. However, pre-exercise activities that burn extra calories include walks (even those with a stroller), cycling, and mild swimming. It should be noted that postpartum weight reduction is already aided by nursing. Breastfeeding causes mothers to lose weight more quickly and easily than when their infant is given bottled milk.

To develop a healthy weight reduction strategy for yourself, it is crucial to seek the advice of a professional nutritionist.