Pregnancy & Triglycerides

Most pregnant women are constantly looking for ways to stay healthy throughout all three trimesters, and this usually means adhering to a diet that is rich in substances like B vitamins, protein and fiber. However, it is not uncommon for cholesterol levels to rise in pregnant women, which is why it's so important for expectant mothers to learn about triglycerides.

Triglycerides Defined

• Triglycerides is the term used to describe the chemical form of most of the fat that is in foods and the body. According to the American Heart Association, triglycerides are also in blood plasma; hormones are responsible for the release of triglycerides from fat tissues to provide the body with energy between meals.

Pregnancy and Triglycerides

• Due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy, triglyceride levels can be higher than normal. Pregnancy may also result in high blood pressure for some women, which is a cause of high triglycerides.

Gestational Diabetes

• Gestational diabetes--or diabetes that develops when a woman is pregnant, even if she has never had diabetes--can also be a cause of high triglycerides. In that situation, the hormones from the placenta may inhibit the action of the mother's insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes affects about 135,000 pregnant women in the U.S. each year.

Diet

• Eating an excess of fried or fatty foods can also cause high triglycerides during pregnancy. It's important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy. Including foods like raw vegetables and whole grains will keep triglyceride levels balanced.

Fetal Fat Storage

• According to MedWire News, pregnant women with high triglyceride levels can actually increase the amount of fat that is stored in their unborn baby's body. So, a healthy diet not only keeps the mother healthy, but it increases the chances of the infant being born at a healthy weight.