Pregnancy can bring a lot of different emotions and one of them, for many pregnant women, is concern over their weight gain
and how much to gain. You WILL gain weight when you’re pregnant, and that gets frustrating sometimes, especially when you’ve spent a lot of your life watching your weight! You want to gain enough weight to have a healthy baby, but no so much that it endangers you or the baby, or makes it really hard to lose once the baby’s here.
Eating for two is what you need to do, in moderation. You don’t want to eat twice as much – the baby is not that big yet! You do want to eat healthful and nutritious foods because that will make you AND the baby healthier.
There’s no “one size fits all” approach to gaining weight during pregnancy. Everyone is different, and everyone begins at a different weight. Various factors have to be determined, like BMI, pre-pregnancy weight, and your health. Work with your doctor to make sure you are on the right track. In the meantime, here are some general guidelines*:
| Pre-pregnancy weight | Recommended weight gain |
|---|---|
| Underweight (BMI less than 18.5) | 28 to 40 pounds (about 13 to 18 kilograms) |
| Normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) | 25 to 35 pounds (about 11 to 16 kilograms) |
| Overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9) | 15 to 25 pounds (about 7 to 11 kilograms) |
| Obese (BMI 30 or more) | 11 to 20 pounds (about 5 to 9 kilograms) |
When you are carrying twins or multiple babies, some of these general recommendations will change. Again, check with your doctor to make sure:
| Pre-pregnancy weight | Recommended weight gain |
|---|---|
| Normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) | 37 to 54 pounds (about 17 to 25 kilograms) |
| Overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9) | 31 to 50 pounds (about 14 to 23 kilograms) |
| Obese (BMI 30 or more) | 25 to 42 pounds (about 11 to 19 kilograms) |
Being overweight before pregnancy increases the complications of health problems, both in you and your baby. If you’re planning on becoming pregnant, please check with your doctor for a healthy weight loss program to get you down to your “fighting” weight! If you’re already pregnant, work with your doctor to determine the best course of action for you.
If you’re underweight, there is a risk that you and your baby may not get the nutrition you need. Check with your doctor to see if you need to eat more, or add supplements to your diet.
*These are just general guidelines. Motherhood Center is not a doctor. See your doctor for your tailored and customized weight gain information.
