When you're pregnant, you may think this is your one opportunity to eat everything that you want without fear of gaining weight. It's what you're supposed to do, right? On the other hand, while you shouldn't go overboard eating and gaining too much, you shouldn't fear gaining weight during pregnancy. Dieting can be dangerous during pregnancy, and for your baby's health, it's crucial to gain a healthy amount of weight to make sure that your baby is growing and getting the nutrition he needs. So what is the healthy amount of weight to gain during pregnancy? It depends on how much you weigh prior to pregnancy.
Healthy Weight Before Pregnancy
If you're a healthy body weight before you get pregnant (a body mass index, or BMI, of 18.5 to 24.9), you should gain somewhere around 25 to 35 lbs. during your pregnancy, according to the March of Dimes. During the first trimester, aim to gain somewhere between 1 and 4 1/2 lbs. before the real weight starts to pile on. During your second and third trimesters, you should average about a pound per week weight gain.
Underweight Before Pregnancy
If you started your pregnancy already underweight, you should focus on gaining a little extra. If you have a BMI of less than 18.5, you're underweight, according to the Mayo Clinic, and your total weight gain should be somewhere between 28 and 40 lbs. throughout your pregnancy. Stay on track by gaining up to about 4 1/2 lbs. the first trimester, and a little more than a pound every week in your last two trimesters.
Overweight Before Pregnancy
If you started your pregnancy overweight, there's no reason to gain quite so much weight during your pregnancy. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9, while obesity is a BMI of 30 or greater, according to the Mayo Clinic. Overweight women should only gain about 15 to 25 lbs., and obese women between 11 and 20 lbs., throughout their entire pregnancies.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you're pregnant with twins, triplets or even more, your weight gain goals will be different than women only having one baby. To find out what's healthy for you and your particular health and weight, it's best to talk to your doctor about a healthy weight gain for you during your pregnancy.
Staying Within Your Weight Range
Keep track of your weight gain, and set goals to stay within your recommended range. Don't overindulge on desserts and fast food; you only need approximately 300 additional calories each day to give your baby what she needs during pregnancy, according to the March of Dimes. Regular exercise will not only keep excess weight at bay, but also help you get stronger and healthier to prepare for the birth of your baby.
