It is very important to have optimal thyroid levels in pregnancy in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy and assist in fetal development. Diseases due to more thyroid or less thyroid are very common in women between 15 and 45 years of age. The thyroid dysfunction may result in substantial adverse obstetric and child neurodevelopment.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ, right in front of your neck. This gland is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate your metabolism, nervous system, heart-beat, weight, temperature and other systems in your body. The thyroid hormones are essential when you are pregnant as healthy baby development and sustenance of the mother’s wellness is depended upon it.
The baby is completely reliant on the mother’s thyroid hormones up to 16 or 18 weeks which is critical for brain development. The baby’s thyroid begins to work on its own by the 12th week but it is still not making enough hormone till 18 weeks. Excess or inadequate thyroid hormones can affect the baby’s IQ. It also raises many other complications during birth or later in life.
Let us first understand what are the two types of thyroid abnormality – hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism or insufficient hormone secretion can slow down the metabolism or the body’s functions. It affects ovulation and infertility. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy affects embryo development.
Hyperthyroidism or excessive secretion of thyroid hormones can speed up the body’s functions. It can cause increased blood pressuring and an increased risk of miscarriage, along with premature birth and an undeveloped baby.
If you’ve conceived without knowing your thyroid levels or are aware of your thyroid dysfunctions, consult your gynecologist. Keeping a check on your thyroid levels during the initial weeks can lessen the risk of miscarriages and other development issues as optimal thyroid levels in pregnancy are essential for the development of the fetus’ nervous system and brain.
Thyroid during pregnancy
Diagnosing thyroid during pregnancy can be very tricky. The symptoms are common during both pregnancy and thyroid disorders like an increased thyroid size, higher levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, fatigue and more.
Thyroid during pregnancy affect the fetus in many ways
- Weakened heart or total heart failure
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Pre-eclampsia
- Low birth weight of the child
- Reduced red blood cells in the body
- Stillbirth
- Worsened symptoms of thyroid
Overactive thyroid in a newborn baby can lead to the following:
- a fast heart rate, which could lead to heart failure
- early closing of the soft spot in the baby’s skull
- poor weight gain
- irritability
If the thyroid is enlarged in the infant, then it may press against your baby’s windpipe and make it very difficult for the baby to breathe properly. In case you have Graves’ disease, the doctor will need to keep a check on the health of the newborn baby.
What you should eat during pregnancy for a healthy thyroid functioning of both the mother and the baby?
Iodine is a very important mineral as it is required to make thyroid hormone. Hence, it is an important mineral to take in when you’re pregnant especially since the baby gets iodine from your diet. Some good sources of iodine are iodized salt, dairy, seafood, eggs, meat and poultry. In case you don’t have iodized salt, you may need a vitamin. Ensure you have iodine-based food even when breastfeeding. But, remember that too much iodine is also not good. Talk to your doctor to ensure you are having just the right amount of iodine via your diet.
