Although you should already be taking a multivitamin, you should
change to a ‘prenatal’ vitamin even before you get pregnant, as
these contain many of the above essential nutrients.
Please make sure your midwife or obstetrician knows you have
had weight loss surgery, so they can check your vitamin levels,
and advise if additional supplements are necessary. You are also
advised to be in touch with your dietitian to help you plan meals,
and ensure you are getting suitable nutrition during your pregnancy.
You may benefit from eating several small meals throughout the
day, to help improve nutrient absorption.
You should avoid excess weight gain during your
pregnancy
The best way to avoid excessive weight gain is to eat a healthy diet
during your pregnancy. Food cravings, as well as nausea and food
dislikes can make this challenging. You may fall into the trap of
thinking you need to “eat for two” and eating more than you need.
You can discuss any of these issues with a dietitian to help you
develop a healthy eating plan, with good food choices.
Regular exercise will also help to avoid excessive weight gain
during your pregnancy.
One of the biggest emotional effects of pregnancy after weight
loss surgery is that of body image. You have worked hard to lose
weight, and will now have to get comfortable with the idea of
gaining weight again. Pregnancy can be a stressful time, and some
people also tend to eat more when they are stressed.
Alternatively, dieting while pregnant should be avoided, as this can
have serious nutritional consequences for your growing baby as
previously discussed (see “You will need to monitor your nutrient
intake closely” section).
If you are not gaining weight as expected, your midwife may
suggest more frequent ultrasounds to see if your baby is growing
normally.
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