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Weight Gain During Pregnancy PDF Print E-mail
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Weight gain is part and parcel to pregnancy. It is only natural to gain weight; after all, it’s not just your weight you’re carrying around any more. Your baby, the placenta, and extra fluids, are all factors that cause you to naturally gain the weight you need so that you and your baby remain healthy.

Gaining weight during pregnancy is what helps your baby to grow. The extra weight you accumulate is what provides your developing baby nourishment. The extra weight is also needed for breastfeeding after your baby is born.

When you gain normal weight at a steady pace, you will lower your chances of developing some of the less pleasing side effects of pregnancy such as stretch marks, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, indigestion, backache and fatigue.

That being said, you may be wondering what is considered a normal and healthy weight gain, and how much, or how little weight, is considered high risk.

How much weight should I gain?

This is the most common question that “weighs” on the mind of every pregnant woman. Essentially, you need to gain enough weight so that you and your baby are healthy. However, for some expecting mothers, this can be a task that is easier said then done.

Not gaining enough weight can result in a smaller and weaker baby at birth. On the other hand, gaining too much weight during pregnancy can cause an increase in blood pressure as well as the possibility of your body becoming resistant to insulin. This causes your blood sugar level to rise and makes you more susceptible to gestational diabetes which could result in a cesarean section.

Therefore, the recommended weight you should gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight. The amount of weight you need to gain will vary depending on if you were underweight, normal weight, or overweight prior to becoming pregnant.

Pre-pregnancy height vs. weight chart

The following is a pre-pregnancy height vs. weight chart that will help you determine if your pre-pregnancy weight is/was normal, underweight or overweight (Note: the symbols ( ‘ )= feet and ( “ )= inches in the pre-pregnancy chart below - for instance: 5’6” = 5 feet and 6 inches). Just keep in mind that the following chart gives you the general averages, but if you’re concerned, it’s important to talk to your doctor because every woman is different.

 

Pre-Pregnancy Height Vs. Weight Chart
Natural Height Underweight (lbs)(the following or less)Normal Weight
(lbs)		Overweight(lbs)
(the following or more)
4’10”88 89-108109
4’11”91 92-112113
5’94 95-115116
5’1”99 100-121122
5’2”104 105-127128
5’3”108 109-132133
5’4”113 114-138139
5’5”118 119-144145
5’6”123 124-150151
5’7”127 128-155156
5’8”132 133-161162
5’9”137 138-167168
5’10”142 143-173174
5’11”146 147-178179
6’151 152-184185

If you discover that you are underweight or overweight, don’t worry. You can still maintain a healthy pregnancy weight as long as you know how much you should gain compared to how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart

 

 
Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart
 1st Trimester2nd Trimester3rd TrimesterTotal Gain
Underweight5-6 lbs(maybe more, depending on your doctor’s advice)11-16 lbs(approximately 1-2 pounds a week)12-18 lbs(approximately 1-2 pounds a week) 28-40 lbs
Normal Weight 3-4 lbs(typical range  of weight gained)12-14 lbs(Typical range  of weight gained)10-17 lbs(approximately a pound a week during the 7th and 8th month, and 1-2 pounds in the 9th month 25-35 lbs
Overweight1-2 lbs(Very little weight should be gained in the first three months)6–10(a little less than a pound per week) 8 -13 lbs(a little less than a pound per week) 15-25 lbs


The above chart will give you an idea of the generally recommended amount of weight you should gain during your pregnancy. It explains the total amount of recommended weight to be gained based on your pre-pregnancy weight.

You will also notice that the chart features a breakdown of how much weight you should gain for each trimester. That being said, you need to understand that every pregnancy is different, and every expectant mother may be required to gain a certain amount of weight based on their doctor’s instructions.

In essence, your goal is to gain weight at a steady pace throughout your pregnancy. You will probably see your weight fluctuate slightly from week to week, but this is only natural as you likely won't eat the exact same diet every day.

Nevertheless, you need to be cautious of your weight gain. For instance: 1. You shouldn't gain more than three pounds during the course of any one week in your second trimester. If you are gaining more, consult your health care provider. 2. You shouldn't gain more than two pounds during the course of any one week in your third trimester. If you are gaining more, consult your health care provider. 3. If you are in your 4th to 8th months and you haven't gained any weight for 2 consecutive weeks – consult your health care provider. 4. If you discover that you are continuously gaining more weight than you expected - even though you have been doing your best to stick to an ideal meal plan that does not rob your baby of essential nutrients - consult your health care provider.

If in the event you are carrying more than one baby, your health care provider should be the one to monitor your appropriate level of weight gain. However, the weight of mothers expecting multiples usually increases significantly. Still, while the weight gain will be greater, the amount of weight gain for each extra baby will not be the same as that of a mother expecting one child.

Where does all the weight go?

Did you ever wonder where all of those extra pregnancy pounds go? While you may be under the impression that they go to your tummy, buttocks, hips, breasts and thighs, the truth is the pounds are distributed to cater to the health and well-being of your developing baby. Moreover, your body requires the necessary weight in order to stay healthy. If you don’t gain enough weight to support your baby, the fetus will begin to take the essential nutrients that your body requires in order to support itself.

The following chart is a basic breakdown of where your weight is distributed during pregnancy. Keep in mind that these numbers may vary from woman to woman.
You will also notice that the chart features a breakdown of how much weight you should gain for each trimester. That being said, you need to understand that every pregnancy is different, and every expectant mother may be required to gain a certain amount of weight based on their doctor’s instructions.

Pregnancy Weight Distribution Chart

Baby

7  lbs

Placenta

1 – 2  lbs

Amniotic Fluid

2  lbs

Uterus

2  lbs

Maternal Breast Tissue

2  lbs

Maternal Blood Flow

2 - 4  lbs

Fluids in Maternal Tissue

4  lbs

Maternal Fat stores

7 lbs

Total

27 - 30



In essence, your goal is to gain weight at a steady pace throughout your pregnancy. You will probably see your weight fluctuate slightly from week to week, but this is only natural as you likely won't eat the exact same diet every day.

Nevertheless, you need to be cautious of your weight gain. For instance: 1. You shouldn't gain more than three pounds during the course of any one week in your second trimester. If you are gaining more, consult your health care provider. 2. You shouldn't gain more than two pounds during the course of any one week in your third trimester. If you are gaining more, consult your health care provider. 3. If you are in your 4th to 8th months and you haven't gained any weight for 2 consecutive weeks – consult your health care provider. 4. If you discover that you are continuously gaining more weight than you expected - even though you have been doing your best to stick to an ideal meal plan that does not rob your baby of essential nutrients - consult your health care provider.

If in the event you are carrying more than one baby, your health care provider should be the one to monitor your appropriate level of weight gain. However, the weight of mothers expecting multiples usually increases significantly. Still, while the weight gain will be greater, the amount of weight gain for each extra baby will not be the same as that of a mother expecting one child.  

Knowing where the necessary pounds go can help you understand the amount of weight that is needed in order to have a healthy pregnancy.

Health risks associated with weight gain during pregnancy


Unfortunately, there are health risks when gaining too little or too much weight during pregnancy. Some of these risks are as follows:

Underweight risks

The fist trimester is when most women have a harder time gaining weight. One of the main reasons for this is morning sickness. Many expecting mothers worry that their lack of weight gain during this trimester will have a negative effect on their baby’s health. Luckily, babies do not require as many nutrients during the first three months as they do for the remainder of the pregnancy. Therefore, not gaining a significant amount of weight during the first trimester is normal.

After the first trimester, it is imperative that you begin to gain weight at a steady pace. An underweight pregnant woman is at risk of birth complications. She may give birth to an underweight infant, or she could deliver her baby prematurely.

Overweight Risks

Just as not gaining enough weight can cause problems, so can gaining too much weight. Heath risks that have been associated with excessive weight gain and obesity during pregnancy include:

-High blood pressure
-Gestational diabetes
-Having a hard time reading the size of the uterus and hearing the baby’s heart beat
-Backache
-Leg pain
-Varicose veins
-Fatigue
-In some cases, natural delivery is impossible if the baby has become too large, and the baby must be delivered by cesarean section.
-After pregnancy it is more difficult to lose the weight you've gained.

Even though these are potential risks, you need to know that most overweight pregnant woman deliver healthy babies without complications. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you are aware of all the risks that are associated with extra weight and obesity. You can significantly lower your risk of developing medical complications or putting yourself and your baby at risk by eating healthy, exercising properly, and following the advice of your health care provider.

Your diet plays an important role in the amount of weight you gain. For instance, just because you gain an excessive amount of weight doesn't mean that your baby will be bigger. In fact, it is not uncommon for an expectant mother who gains as much as 35 pounds to have only a 6 pound baby. Thus, it's not so much the amount of food you eat; it’s the quality of the food you eat, and how much you exercise. That being said, if you are already overweight or obese when you are pregnant, you shouldn’t be dieting. Your baby needs the right nutrients to develop properly, and can not live on calories alone. Therefore, speak to your health care provider about how you can safely keep your weight in check without putting your baby at any risk.

Finally, remember that regardless if you are underweight, normal weight or overweight, you can help to improve the health and wellness of you and your baby by taking special care to ensure that you follow a few guidelines:

-Refrain from smoking and drinking
-Follow the recommended weight gain guidelines provided by your health care provider
-If you are a normal weight, you should take in at least 1,800 calories every day. Choose from a variety of nutritional foods that are rich in vitamins, protein and minerals.
-Attend regular scheduled appointments with your health care provider so that they can monitor the progression of your pregnancy and the development of your baby.

Last but not least, don't forget that exercise is extremely important during your pregnancy.
 
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