How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?
Weight gain during pregnancy should be gradual with
the most weight being gained in the last trimester. According to the ACOG, you
should gain about 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months of pregnancy and
then 3 to 4 pounds per month for the rest of your pregnancy. Total weight gain
should be about 25 to 30 pounds. This will decrease the risk of delivering a
low-birth-weight baby.
The
Institute of Medicine recommends that women who have a low Body Mass Index
(BMI) -- the ration of weight to height -- should gain 28 to 40 pounds during
pregnancy and women who have a higher BMI should gain 15 to 25 pounds. Check
with your doctor to determine how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy
for you.
Weight gained includes 6 to 8 pounds for the weight
of the baby. The remaining weight consists of a higher fluid volume, larger
breasts, larger uterus, amniotic fluid, and the placenta.
Make sure to
visit your doctor throughout your pregnancy for an assessment of your weight
gain. Your doctor can make recommendations about how much weight you should be
gaining to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing smoothly and that you are
getting the right amount of nutrients.
