Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Complete Guidance!

As we all know, gaining weight during pregnancy is a normal and essential aspect of the process in order to promote the fetus’s growth and development. However, if a woman is overweight prior to becoming pregnant, any further weight gain during pregnancy may make labor difficult.

Additionally, being overweight while pregnant carries hazards for both the mother and the unborn child, including the possibility of developing gestational diabetes, developing gestational hypertension (high blood pressure), needing a cesarean section, birth abnormalities, or even termination. As a result, maintaining a healthy body weight during pregnancy is extremely important.

Here’s an article that may provide all the information you need to understand what constitutes a healthy weight during pregnancy, whether it concerns gaining too much weight or decreasing too much weight. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Pregnancy Weight Gain by Trimesters

The amount of weight a woman is required to gain during pregnancy, as well as the extra calories she needs, varies per trimester. A common guideline for a woman with a moderate pre-pregnancy BMI carrying one baby is as follows:

• First trimester: Extra calories are not required during the first trimester. They may gain hardly any weight during the first trimester, perhaps just 1-5 pounds.
• Second trimester: During the second trimester, a person requires an additional 340 calories per day. They may gain 0.5-1 pound per week.
• Third trimester: An extra 450 calories per day are required during the third trimester. They may gain 0.5-1 pound per week.

According to experts, a person carrying multiples requires an additional 300 calories for each fetus. In this case, pregnant women who are carrying twins need an additional 600 calories per day. A pregnant woman who is underweight or obese should contact her doctor about planning a well-balanced diet plan.

Breakdown of Extra Pounds

Make the assumption your infant weighs 7 or 8 pounds (about 3 to 3.6 kilograms). Your pregnancy weight gain has some justification in that. What about the others? Here’s an example of a breakdown:

• Increased blood volume: 3 to 4 pounds (about 1.4 to 1.8 kilograms)
• Increased fluid volume: 2 to 3 pounds (about 0.9 to 1.4 kilograms)
• Placenta: 1 1/2 pounds (about 0.7 kilogram)
• Breasts: 1 to 3 pounds (about 0.5 to 1.4 kilogram)
• Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds (about 0.9 kilograms)
• Uterus: 2 pounds (about 0.9 kilograms)
• Fat stores: 6 to 8 pounds (about 2.7 to 3.6 kilograms)

Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to gaining weight during pregnancy. The appropriate weight increase during pregnancy is determined by a number of factors, including your pre-pregnancy weight and BMI (BMI). Your health and the health of your baby both play a role. Consult with your doctor to discover what is best for you.

But for the moment, think about these basic guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy:

Underweight (BMI below 18.5): 28 to 40 lbs. (about 13 to 18 kg)

Healthy weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9): 25 to 35 lbs. (about 11 to 16 kg)

Overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9): 15 to 25 lbs. (about 7 to 11 kg)

Obese (BMI 30 or more): 11 to 20 lbs. (about 4 to 9 kg)

Weight Management During Pregnancy

Your weight can have a significant impact on your and your baby’s health. Maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy is highly recommended, but if you are overweight (obese), you do not need to drastically reduce your calorie consumption or exercise excessively. 

Before making any changes, it is usually a good idea to consult with your supervising gynecologist. Instead of focusing on losing weight, more attention should be placed on good weight control before and during pregnancy. Enroll in our online pregnancy programs if you need to lose weight safely for a healthy pregnancy. The Divine Mother team is always ready to assist you!