Effects of weight loss pills on the fetus

Love of beauty is a woman's natural desire. In order to have a charming figure, many women will take diet pills to lose weight. The biggest benefit of weight loss pills is that they save you the hard work of exercise. After all, the ingredients of diet pills are unknown, so you should be careful when taking them. Some pregnant women also want to take diet pills during pregnancy because they are worried about the impact on the fetus. So, what are the effects of weight loss pills on the fetus?

All drugs can cross the placental barrier, so experts recommend that women should not take any medications during pregnancy unless it is clinically necessary. If a woman takes weight-loss drugs, thyroid hormone drugs, etc. within the first three months of pregnancy, it may cause fetal malformations and affect the health of the fetus.

Therefore, if a woman is planning to become pregnant, it is best to stop taking weight-loss pills at least 3 months before pregnancy to avoid affecting the normal development of the fetus. A Down syndrome screening is done at 15-20 weeks of pregnancy to check the intellectual development of the fetus. A four-dimensional color ultrasound fetal abnormality screening is done at 22-26 weeks of pregnancy to find out whether the fetus has any malformations and to check whether the major organs are developing well. Choose to continue the pregnancy or terminate it based on the doctor's advice.

1. Aerobic exercise, including brisk walking, jogging, cycling and swimming (see below). Aerobic exercise has a certain intensity and needs to last for a certain period of time without excessively consuming oxygen. Aerobic exercise during pregnancy can strengthen cardiopulmonary function and promote the body's oxygen absorption, so it has direct benefits for pregnant women and fetuses. In addition, it can enhance blood circulation and reduce varicose veins during pregnancy; increase muscle strength and partially or even completely eliminate back pain and lumbago; increase physical endurance and prepare for childbirth; and may also help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and control excessive weight gain.

2. Water sports, including swimming, water aerobics, etc. As a special type of aerobic exercise, water exercise is extremely beneficial to pregnant women: the buoyancy of water can help pregnant women support 10 to 13 kg more weight than before pregnancy, the resistance of water can reduce the chance of injury to gradually loose joints, and the better conductivity of water than air means that pregnant women do not have to worry about excessive increase in body temperature. What's more, the fun of water exercise is an irresistible temptation for anyone.

3. Kegel exercises. This is a sport that is beneficial to adult women at any stage, and it can be done anytime and anywhere. Its main mode of movement is accomplished by voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (groups). This exercise can strengthen the strength of the lower uterine supporting muscles, vaginal sphincter, and urethral sphincter. Doing 2 to 3 sets of Kegel exercises every day during pregnancy and postpartum, with each set of 10 to 15 times, can ensure that these muscles of women can complete the tasks of pregnancy and childbirth well, reduce the chance of perineal tear during delivery, and promote the vaginal sphincter to recover its elasticity as soon as possible after delivery.

The specific method of Kegel is: either standing, lying on your side, or sitting down, while inhaling, tighten the perineal muscles, including the circular muscles of the vagina and anus. You will feel a lifting sensation in your pelvic floor. When you reach the top, hold this position for 8-10 seconds. Be careful not to hold your breath, but inhale and exhale at a constant speed. Then relax. Whether the Kegel exercise is completed correctly can be determined by doing the contraction and lifting movements while urinating. If the urine flow stops or decreases, it means that your movements are correct. Persisting in doing this exercise will be beneficial to the lifelong health of women's reproductive and urinary systems.

4. Other sports that require certain guidance and special precautions: strength training, yoga, Pilates, etc. These sports have a certain degree of difficulty and a small amount of danger. Women who regularly do these exercises can continue similar exercises with more caution after pregnancy. However, some movements are obviously not suitable for pregnant women and should no longer be done, such as holding your breath to lift weights, over-stretching ligaments, shoulder and elbow handstands, etc. It is best to consult a professional in this sport to design an effective and safe training plan.