Weight matters
Reaching a healthy weight prior to pregnancy
Choosing to have a child is one of the biggest
decisions a woman can make. If you have
decided the time is right, an important first
step is to make your weight a top priority.
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
prior to pregnancy isn’t about appearance,
vanity or clothing size. It’s about health. Being
overweight directly impacts the health of you
and your baby, not just during pregnancy,
but also during delivery and postpartum
(after giving birth).
Weight and obesity
If you struggle with weight issues, you are
certainly not alone. In the United States,
approximately 29 percent of adult women
between the ages of 20 and 39 are considered
obese,1 defined as having a body mass index
(BMI) greater than 29. To determine a healthy
weight, look at your BMI or calculate your
waist-to-height ratio.
Determining a healthy weight
Body Mass Index (BMI)2
Too much body fat can lead to health problems even if you aren’t
pregnant. The body mass index is one tool you can use to help
judge what is a healthy range of body fat for your height and weight.
Be aware, however, that the calculation may be misleading if your body
type is lean and muscular.
To figure your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703, divide by
your height in inches, then divide again by your height in inches.
For example, to get the BMI for a woman weighing 150 pounds and
5' 6" (66 inches) tall:
150 x 703 = 105,450
105,450 ÷ 66 = 1597.7
1597.7 ÷ 66 = 24.2
Based on the chart below, her BMI of 24.2 would fall in the
normal range.
BMI
Weight Status
Below 19.8
Underweight
19.8 to 26.0
Normal
26.1 to 29.0
Overweight
Above 29.0
Obese
Waist-to-Height Ratio
A large waist often means there is more fat around the heart, liver and
even ordinary muscles than is healthy. Too much fat at the waistline
increases your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol
and diabetes.3 In general, your waist circumference (your waist
measurement) should be less than half your height.
To calculate, divide your waist measurement by your height in inches.
The result should be less than 0.5. For example, if you are 5' 6" tall
(66 inches), your waist should measure less than 33 inches.
Weight-related health risks
One of the greatest risks associated with pre-pregnancy
obesity is gaining more weight than is healthy during your
pregnancy.1 Gaining too much weight during pregnancy
is a serious concern because it increases your risk of
developing significant health problems, both before
and after delivery. These include gestational diabetes,
preeclampsia, high blood pressure and Caesarean
birth,4 as well as post-delivery weight retention and
coronary heart disease.1
Here is a brief description of these medical conditions:
Gestational diabetes: Diabetes is a disease that
occurs when the body cannot make or properly use
insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to change
sugar, starches and other food into energy. Gestational
diabetes occurs during pregnancy, a time when it is
especially important to manage blood sugar. If the
mother’s blood sugar is too high, it can cause
complications for the baby like jaundice, low blood
sugar at birth and respiratory problems.
Preeclampsia: A condition characterized by high blood
pressure and excess protein in the urine that can develop
in the second half of pregnancy. The excess protein
indicates kidney problems.
High blood pressure: Also called hypertension, this
condition can reduce blood flow to the mother’s heart
and to the placenta, which in turn may slow the growth
and development of the baby. If untreated, high blood
pressure can cause preterm labor, damage to the
baby’s organs, or cause the mother to have a stroke.
Postpartum weight retention: Difficulty in losing
weight gained during pregnancy, leading to negative body
image, weight-related emotional stress and diseases such
as coronary heart disease.
Coronary heart disease: Plaque buildup in the arteries
that prevents proper blood flow to and from the heart.
Getting the support you need
Understanding the seriousness of these medical
conditions may motivate some women to lose excess
weight before pregnancy. For others, however, the
prospect of starting a diet and exercise program may feel
overwhelming, especially if they have tried losing weight
in the past and have been frustrated with the results.
UnitedHealthcare developed the Healthy Pregnancy
Program and www.healthy-pregnancy.com to help
you stay motivated, reach your weight reduction goals
and experience a healthy, happy pregnancy.
We encourage you to enroll today so you can begin
your journey to a healthier, happier you.
Healthy Pregnancy Program
enrollment is quick and easy.
Simply call 1-800-411-7984 or visit us
online at www.healthy-pregnancy.com.
Caesarean birth: Surgical delivery of the baby through
an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. A Caesarean
delivery has more risk than a vaginal delivery and extends
recovery time for the mother.
Sources
1.Managing Excessive Weight Gain During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.
Larraine O. Walker. JOGNN. 2007; 36 (5): 490-499.
2.Obesity, Obstetric Complications and Cesarean Delivery Rate — A Population
Based Screening Study. Joshua L. Weiss, MD, et al. American Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2004; 190 (4): 1091-1097.
3.Body Composition Tests. American Heart Association, 2009.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4489.
4.High Prepregnancy Body-Mass Index — A Maternal-Fetal Risk Factor.
Honor Wolfe, MD. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998; 338 (3): 191-192.
The Healthy Pregnancy Program follows national practice standards from the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. The Healthy Pregnancy Program cannot diagnose
problems or recommend specific treatment. The information provided is not a substitute for your doctor’s care.
Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company,
United HealthCare Services, Inc., or their affiliates.
© 2009 United HealthCare Services, Inc.