Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Being pregnant does not give you the license to eat whatever that comes your way. Although, gaining weight during pregnancy is a must for the healthy growth of your unborn child, still gaining excess weight and that too by eating the wrong kind of food can make your delivery difficult by increasing the duration you are in labor. So, how much weight gain is considered normal and healthy for a pregnant woman? Let's find out.

Recommended Weight Gain

The recommended weight gain depends upon your weight prior to conceiving. Given below is the average weight gain that is considered healthy in women.

Underweight Women
Women whose body mass index i.e., BMI was lesser than 18.5 before they were pregnant, should gain 13-18 kilograms (28-40 pounds) of weight during pregnancy.

Normal Weight Women
Women whose BMI was between 18.5-24.9 before conceiving, should gain 11-16 kilograms of weight (25-35 pounds) during pregnancy.

Overweight Women
Women whose pre-pregnancy BMI was 25-29.9, should gain 7-11 kilograms (15-25 pounds) during pregnancy.

Obese Women
Women with pre-pregnancy BMI of 30 and above, should gain only 5-9 kilograms (11-20 pounds) during pregnancy.

The recommended normal weight gain by trimester is 3-5 pounds in the first trimester, 1-2 pound per week weight gain in the second trimester and approximately 1-2 pounds weight gain per week in the third. Monthly weight gain which is considered healthy can be anywhere between 3-4 pounds in the second and the third trimester. Weight gain during the first trimester is usually less as majority of pregnant women suffer weight loss from morning sickness symptoms during this period.

How to Gain Weight

Although it is easier to gain weight by eating junk food, still a pregnant woman should make healthy food choices during pregnancy as the kind of food she eats will determine both her and her unborn baby's health. A woman should ensure that her pregnancy diet is rich in vitamins and minerals which are so needed for the proper development of her baby. Given below are some tips on healthy weight gain during your pregnancy.

• A pregnant woman should eat breakfast everyday. Whole grain bread with peanut butter or cheese will provide the extra proteins that her body needs.
• A pregnant woman should eat healthy snacks between meals such as yogurt, dry fruits, sliced fruits and juices fortified with nutrients.
• Good fats such as those found in olive oil, fatty fish and nuts should be included in the diet.
• Balanced diet for pregnant women should include vitamin C rich juices such as orange juice, carrot juice and grapefruit juice.

Implications of Being Overweight and Underweight

If a woman gains much more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy, she may experience leg pain, back pain, high blood pressure and extreme tiredness. The woman might develop varicose veins and may even suffer from gestational diabetes. An obese woman might have to go in for a cesarean to deliver the baby. On the other hand, if a woman is underweight during pregnancy, there is a risk of pre-mature delivery and the baby born might be underweight too. If a pregnant woman suddenly loses or gains weight, she should contact a health care provider as it can be a sign of preeclampsia.

All women should aim for a steady weight gain during this period as the baby gets his daily nutrients from the food they eat. There might be some fluctuations in weight gain sometimes, but most of the time, it should be in accordance with what is recommended. A pregnant woman should consult a mid wife or a doctor on her food choices as well as the amount of daily calories she should take to ensure a healthy pregnancy.