5. Being Overweight
Women who are overweight and fall pregnant, are also at a higher risk of developing symptoms of HG. When white adipose tissue collects around the abdomen, it’s challenging for women to get rid of fat in this area. As a result, the fat may start to change in its characteristics, and begin to produce hormones that change the pregnant individual’s hormone profile.
Changes in hormones may result in the onset of nausea and vomiting symptoms associated with HG. However, restricting calories when pregnant is both very challenging for the pregnant individual, as well as the developing fetus. Pregnant women often start to eat more because they are feeding two individuals at the same time.
Therefore doctors do not recommend that pregnant woman start a calorie deficit to lose weight, in an attempt to stop the symptoms of HG. They can attempt a weight loss diet while pregnant, only if the person’s weight affects the health of the baby, or themselves. The individual will require special monitoring daily to ensure that the baby and themselves are both healthy.