Q: I started pregnancy overweight. Since I found out I was pregnant I eat a healthy diet but I have been losing weight ever since I started to eat healthy. As long as my diet is healthy does it matter if I lose weight during pregnancy?
A: I congratulate you for eating a healthy diet now and it is fairly common for women who are overweight to lose weight if they change to a more nutrient-dense diet during pregnancy.
However studies have shown that all women should gain some weight, even those starting overweight at the beginning of pregnancy should.
The fetus is more adversely affected by weight loss or fasting during pregnancy than is the mother. Weight loss in pregnancy may mean the fetus is using too much fat for energy and not enough glucose. It may also reduce the increase in maternal blood volume and compromise the delivery of nutrients and other substances needed by the fetus.