How much weight can I safely lose before getting pregnant?
Asked by anonymous on Oct 05, 2009
in Family & Pregnancy
I'm 5'8" and 250 lbs. With my first pregnancy, I gained 78 lbs and was already 200 lbs. I’m now down to 250 lbs (28 lbs lost) but I need to lose more. I want another baby soon. My son was born with a genetic disorder so my excuse for not reaching goal yet is busy stress. I plan to lose the rest after baby number 2 as our life becomes more balanced. Is it safe to get pregnant now? How much can I lose and still be safe? I plan to be careful and only gain 15 lbs throughout my pregnancy.
Answer
Research on women who have had bariatric surgery before pregnancy shows that a substantial reduction in weight can be safe - and healthier - for both baby and mother. The quality of the food you eat is as important as the weight you lose, but on 1500 calories a day, you have plenty of room to eat a balanced diet while losing about 1.5 pounds per week. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends a pregnancy weight gain of 11 to 20 pounds for women who have a BMI of 30 or more.
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