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Pregnancy and Cholesterol

You might know that cholesterol is bad or that you should avoid red meat and prefer fish especially during pregnancy. But what is true and what constitutes a real problem?

Our body needs a certain amount of fat to function normally. Cholesterol helps transport fat where it is needed, so cholesterol is very useful. There are two types of cholesterol: a) bad cholesterol (LDL) and b) good cholesterol (HDL). In general, the human body itself produces as much cholesterol as it needs. Thus, when there is a large amount of cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol increases. LDL is responsible for clogging the arteries that cause strokes and heart attacks, while HDL helps the vessels to stay unclogged. It is good to know that high LDL levels cause problems, while high HDL levels are beneficial. That is why you should avoid bad cholesterol, while at the same time try to increase the levels of good cholesterol with proper nutrition. If you still wonder how you can improve the cholesterol levels in your body, contact a specialist to learn how to eat properly.

Cholesterol and pregnancy

It is true that most mothers-to-be, with high levels of cholesterol in their bodies, worry and worry about whether high cholesterol levels can affect a smooth pregnancy.

«Is there a possibility of complications during pregnancy?»

Your stress level is increased during your pregnancy. The only thing that is certain is that during this nine-month period your cholesterol levels increase due to hormonal changes. However, there is generally no cause for concern, since only in combination with other aggravating factors, such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, can cholesterol lead to heart or vascular problems. Even in women with multiple risk factors, cardiac and vascular events in pregnancy remain rare. Be sure to stay informed and in constant communication with your doctor. If you are taking cholesterol medication and are trying to get pregnant, tell your doctor. If, again, you are already pregnant, it would be good to stop the medication, because there is a chance that it will affect the normal development of the fetus.

«When should i take medical exams?»

Initially, you should consult your doctor. It is unlikely that he will ask you to have a cholesterol test unless you already have the specific problem or other aggravating factors.

More generally, the method used to diagnose cholesterol is one in which your doctor measures total and good cholesterol in your blood. For this test, you do not need to pay attention to the diet before the examination. Finally, and only if your doctor deems it appropriate, the test is good to be done during the first trimester of pregnancy. The interpretation of the results, however, differs from pregnant woman to pregnant woman. For the objective diagnosis the doctor should take seriously the situation you are in, as well as your cholesterol levels before you even get pregnant. In any case, diagnosing your cholesterol levels during pregnancy can provide useful information for you and your doctor, although it is unlikely that you will be advised to follow any other treatment than simple dietary changes.

Useful tips!

During pregnancy cholesterol levels increase between 25-30%.
In fact, cholesterol is essential for fetal development
During pregnancy, stopping cholesterol medication does not dramatically increase cholesterol levels in your body.

Change your habbits

You are going through the happiest period of your life and you want everything to go well. Be careful, however, because during this period you should not deprive yourself of the nutritional values of some foods! Make sure that after consultation with your doctor you come up with a suitable diet plan. Listen carefully to his advice and take your measures! Your gynecologist can advise you to:

Reduce consumption of saturated fats.
Increase the amount of fiber in your diet, such as oats, beans and fruit.
Exercise if your condition allows it and there are no risks for pregnancy.
Prefer Mediterranean cuisine.

High risk groups!

Overweight people and people who don't exercise or who smoke tend to have high LDL levels and low HDL levels.

People who consume foods high in saturated fat, such as red meat and whole milk, more often have high concentrations of bad cholesterol.
As people age – and especially postmenopausal women – cholesterol becomes a major problem.

People with a family history of heart disease or diabetes should be very careful and check their cholesterol levels often.
Finally, some people with rare diseases tend to have higher cholesterol levels, regardless of their dietary habits or medical history.

With the cooperation of the obstetrician, hand. gynecologist, member of the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Mag. of Britain, Thanos Papathanasiou

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