Pregnant women, don't be surprised if cholesterol levels during pregnancy tend to increase. This happens because the body of pregnant women needs cholesterol for the development of the baby in the womb and the formation of breast milk.
Cholesterol is also needed in the formation of the hormones estrogen and progesterone which are important for maintaining pregnancy. For women who already have high cholesterol since before becoming pregnant, their cholesterol levels will be even higher when pregnant.
Increased Cholesterol Levels during Pregnancy
Cholesterol is a type of fat that the body needs to carry out metabolic functions properly. Normal cholesterol levels in adults are 120-190 mg / dL. But during pregnancy, cholesterol levels can increase to more than 200 mg / dL. During pregnancy, cholesterol levels generally increase by around 20-50%, especially in the second and third trimesters. There are no specific symptoms that indicate high cholesterol levels in the body. Therefore, pregnant women should routinely consult an obstetrician to find out cholesterol levels in the body. In a pregnancy check-up, the doctor can do a blood test to find out the exact cholesterol level. If pregnant cholesterol levels exceed 240 mg / dL, your doctor may conduct further tests to assess the risks to pregnant women's health, both during pregnancy and after giving birth.Various Ways to Maintain Normal Cholesterol Levels during Pregnancy
Women who suffer from high cholesterol are advised to consult a doctor before planning a pregnancy. This is because some cholesterol-lowering drugs are not safe for consumption during pregnancy. Whereas for pregnant women, doctors may not give cholesterol-lowering drugs, and instead recommend improvements to lifestyle to control cholesterol levels. Although basically high cholesterol in pregnant women is a natural thing and will return to normal by itself 6 weeks after giving birth, pregnant women still need to maintain a stable level of cholesterol. The trick is to do the following:- Eat fibrous foods, including nuts, oats and apples.
- Consumption of fish that is rich in omega-3, such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel.
- Exercise regularly as directed by your doctor.
- Limit foods that contain lots of saturated fat (such as fried foods) and sugar.
- Avoid stress.
- Stop smoking and stay away from cigarette smoke.
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