Health Tip: Watching Your Weight During Pregnancy

Some expectant mothers view pregnancy as a time to eat more and not worry about weight. But experts say pregnant women should focus on what they eat, and how much.

The Weight-loss Information Network offers this advice:

• Appropriate weight gain can help ensure that your baby is a healthy size at birth.
• Gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases the mother's risk of high blood pressure and diabetes during and after pregnancy.
• Excess weight may increase the chances of a difficult delivery, and the need for a cesarean section delivery.
• Healthy weight during pregnancy may promote a healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby, and reduce the risk of the child being overweight later in life.