Gaining too much or too little weight during pregnancy can be harmful to both you and your baby, so it's no wonder that many women worry about their weight gain while pregnant. Depending on your non-pregnancy weight, your doctor will likely give you a recommended range of weight that you should gain during pregnancy. If you have concerns about your weight gain, consult your physician.
Weight Gain
The typical recommended amount of weight to gain during your pregnancy is 25 to 35 lbs., states the University of Maryland Medical Center. This amount of weight takes into account the fat, fetal tissues and amniotic fluid that you'll accumulate during pregnancy. Your pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index, or BMI, will determine your unique weight-gain requirements, however. Obese women who have a BMI of 30 or more should usually gain no more than 11 to 20 lbs. throughout their pregnancies, while underweight women with a BMI of less than 18.5 should gain 28 to 40 lbs., MayoClinic.com notes. If you're at a normal body weight with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, you should gain the recommended 25 to 35 lbs., but overweight women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 should gain no more than 15 to 25 lbs.
Time Frame
Keep in mind that these weight-gain recommendations include the total amount of weight that you should gain from the first day of your pregnancy until the day of your delivery. If you have a normal pre-pregnancy weight, your weight gain during pregnancy should occur gradually. Usually, the weight gain will involve putting on 4 to 6 lbs. during your first trimester and 2/3 to 1 lb. per week for the remainder of your pregnancy, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Considerations
Your recommended weight gain during pregnancy will typically be higher if you're carrying twins or multiples, MayoClinic.com notes. If you have certain health problems, your recommended weight gain may be lower or higher, as well. Although the phrase "eating for two" is common for pregnancy, you shouldn't actually double your food intake, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Also, even if you're obese, you shouldn't "diet" or cut your caloric intake during pregnancy, unless your physician advises you to do so.
Dangers
Gaining too little weight during pregnancy can cause preterm delivery or a low birth weight in your baby, especially if you're underweight at the beginning of the pregnancy, MayoClinic.com cautions. Being overweight or obese can increase your risks of developing high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. Gaining excessive amounts of weight during pregnancy can also cause constipation, back pain, and prolonged labor and delivery, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Despite the health risks associated with being overweight or obese, pregnancy is not a safe time to try to lose weight. Your doctor will likely recommend that you achieve a healthier body weight before becoming pregnant.
Misconceptions
The recommended weight gain during pregnancy isn't all body fat, but instead is a combination of many different components. To illustrate this, a 30-lb. weight gain during pregnancy would include the fetus-related weight, additional body fluids and stored nutrients, as well as the increased weight of your breasts and uterus, states the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. At the time of delivery, your weight gain would account for about 7 1/2 lbs. of the baby's body weight, 2 lbs. of added breast weight, 5 1/2 lbs. of uterus, placenta and amniotic fluid, up to 7 lbs. of stored nutrients or fat in your body, and up to 8 lbs. of added blood and other bodily fluids.
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