THERE was a time when hearing the words “congratulations, you’re pregnant” would have given women the excuse to eat for two.
But a new trend is becoming evident in ante-natal classes across the country sparked by female celebrities whose stomachs ping back into shape as soon as their bundles of joy arr ive.
Pictures of Nicole Kidman two weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Sunday Rose, last month show she is already back to her slim self.
And soon glossy magazines will be praising Angelina Jolie, who has just given birth to twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, for returning to her svelte figure.
It’s believed celebrity mums, who usually work with personal trainers throughout their pregnancy and who sometimes opt for “mummy tucks” to get rid of any excess fat straight after birth, are causing “pregorexia”.
Pregorexics are expectant mums who go on radical diets and follow gruelling exercise regimes in an attempt to prevent putting on weight during the pregnanc y.
While healthy eating and gentle exercise during pregnancy is recommended, experts say pregorexics could be seriously harming their unborn child . . . and themselves. Some women see athletes such as Paula Radcliffe, who ran throughout her pregnancy and began training for a marathon days after giving birth, and think it’s okay to push themselves.
However, women are being warned that unless they were fitness fanatics before pregnancy, activities like long-distance running and high-energy aerobic workouts would be too strenuous. Dr Mike Guy, the NHS North of Tyne’s medical director, said: “It is important to eat and exercise sensibly during pregnancy. If you were active before becoming pregnant and regularly took part in exercise it should be safe to carry on doing this.
“However, speak to your midwife beforehand just to make sure. “Aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day as a good diet can help you stay fit, get in good condition for the birth and maintain your energy levels.”
And he stressed: “Dieting is not recommended during pregnancy because it can reduce your baby’s birth weight.” Dr Martin Tovey, of Newcastle University’s School of Biology and Psychology, has researched eating disorders in women.
He said: “Many people want to achieve these impossible body shapes, without really considering that celebrities have personal trainers and it’s their job to look like that. It’s also surprising what a sympathetic photographer and airbrushing can achieve.
“Women who have struggled with an eating disorder, like anorexia, whilst growing up are more likely to have difficulties during pregnancy, as they start to put on weight and their body changes.
“And there are some women who are naturally more vulnerable to eating disorders, especially if they have low self-esteem. “However, it is perfectly natural to put on a significant amount of weight during pregnancy and this is what’s healthy for the mum and baby.”
CELEBRITY mums who miraculously shed the weight after giving birth are being blamed for a rising phenomenon amongst pregnant women. Called “pregorexia”, the condition is seeing expectant mums going on crash diets and extreme exercise plans for fear of piling on the pounds. NICOLA JUNCAR reports.
Listen to your body The right level of exercise depends on how fit you were before pregnancy. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Drink plenty of fluids and don’t allow yourself to get overheated as this can be harmful to the baby. Take a gentle approach to exercises that put strain on joints and ligaments. Listen to your body. Dizziness and fatigue are not uncommon in the first trimester and some women lose their balance more easily later in the pregnancy. Don’t exercise to lose weight during pregnancy as this may harm your baby. Don’t exercise flat on your back as this can restrict the flow of blood to the womb. Don’t use saunas or steam rooms. If your Body Mass Index was less than 19.8 before you became pregnant, you should aim for a weight gain of between 12.5 to 18kg, or 28 to 40lb.
(c) 2008 Sunday Sun – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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