Maternity Nursing: Postpartum Q 40
Following the birth of her baby, a woman expresses concern about the weight she gained during pregnancy and how quickly she can lose it now that the baby is born. The nurse, in describing the expected pattern of weight loss, should begin by telling this woman that:
A. Return to pre-pregnant weight is usually achieved by the end of the postpartum period.
B. Fluid loss from diuresis, diaphoresis, and bleeding accounts for about a 3-pound weight loss.
C. The expected weight loss immediately after birth averages about 11 to 13 pounds.
D. Lactation will inhibit weight loss since caloric intake must increase to support milk production.
Correct Answer: C. The expected weight loss immediately after birth averages about 11 to 13 pounds.
The woman should plan to return to pre-pregnancy weight by 6 to 12 months after delivery. Most women lose half of their baby weight by 6 weeks after childbirth (postpartum). The rest most often comes off over the next several months. The body needs time to recover from childbirth. If the woman loses weight too soon after childbirth, it can take longer for her to recover. She should give herself until the 6-week checkup before trying to slim down.
Option A: Prepregnant weight is usually achieved by 2 to 3 months after birth, not within the 6-week postpartum period. Through diet and regular exercise, it might be reasonable to lose up to 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week. It might take six months to one year to return to pre-pregnancy weight, whether breast-feeding or not.
Option B: Weight loss from diuresis, diaphoresis, and bleeding is about 9 pounds. Most women lose about 13 pounds (5.9 kilograms) during childbirth, including the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. During the first week after delivery, the woman will lose additional weight as she shed retained fluids — but the fat stored during pregnancy won’t disappear on its own.
Option D: Weight loss continues during breastfeeding since fat stores developed during pregnancy and extra calories consumed are used as part of the lactation process. If breastfeeding, wait until the baby is at least 2 months old and the milk supply has normalized before drastically cutting calories. Women who are exclusively breastfeeding need about 500 more calories per day than they did before pregnancy. Get these calories from healthy choices such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Breastfeeding makes the body burn calories which helps lose weight. If the woman is patient, she may be surprised at how much weight she may lose naturally while breastfeeding.