Most studies have revealed that being overweight is one of the causes that lower pregnancy chances in women. Though some overweight women can get pregnant, but there will be many complications coming along.

Often, women who are overweight don't understand the right diet type they should have. This lack of knowledge has an adverse effect on the body when you plan pregnancy and doesn't help you in getting pregnant.

 Pregnancy Complications if You are Overweight

Being pregnant when you are overweight often results into major health complications and can pose threat to both mother and the baby. Here are some of the complications you face with pregnancy when you are overweight:
 

• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure 
• Pre-eclampsia
• Early labor

Therefore, if you are overweight and are willing to get pregnant, you must take care of the following points:

1. Necessary loss of weight: You must lose necessary weight before conceiving. The process though will not be an easy one but you will have to do this for your and the baby's health. You must follow a strict diet, do regular exercise and stay away from unhealthy or junk food. If you want, you can even consult a dietician to plan out the weight loss diet for yourself.

2. Avoid Dieting: Whether you are already pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, don't go for dieting to reduce the excess weight. Though it's a quick way of cutting down on calories but in the long run it can be harmful. Women who are overweight and trying to conceive can be at loss of vital nutrients as needed for a healthy conception because of dieting. Also, in pregnant women, dieting can prove harmful to the baby. 

3. Plan your meals: You must include all veggies and fruits in your daily diet as this will give you the needed proteins and vitamins. Also, don't eat too much or too less in one go. Plan your entire day's meal schedule and eat in regular intervals. This way you will follow a balanced diet.

4. Take Folic acid: Apart from following a healthy diet, you must even take some vital supplements. If your BMI is more than 30, then you will have to take a supplement of 5 mg folic acid daily, which is apparently higher than the usual dose of 400 mcg. Get a prescription for it. You should continue to take folic acid for first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Intake of folic acid in the first trimester helps your baby’s nervous system to grow normally.

5. Take Vitamin D supplements: Along with folic acid, you will even have to take daily supplement of around 10mcg of vitamin D. You should take it both during pregnancy and after the baby's birth. It  helps the baby to develop stronger bones and teeth, both before and after birth. You should also make it a point to take vitamin D if your BMI happens to be more than 30. This is because when you have a BMI over 30, your body is more likely to lack vitamin D.

6. Regular exercise: Indulging in regular exercise during pregnancy helps you in a great way. Exercises aid you in coping with the pregnancy and prepares your body for giving birth. Also, exercise on a regular basis helps you manage your weight.

Just make sure that you control your BMI during pregnancy as well. Eat healthy and at frequent intervals. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and be regular with exercise!