Regardless of your current size, weight gain during your pregnancy is necessary for your baby's healthy and normal development. Fortunately, there are guidelines in place to help you determine how much weight gain is normal during your pregnancy. Controlling your weight gain will not only help the growth of a healthy baby, but also help you to shed those extra pounds after delivery.
BMI
Body mass index, or BMI, measures your weight in relation to your height. BMI values help you determine whether or not you are at a healthy weight. While a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is normal, a BMI below 18.5 is classified as underweight. Those with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are overweight, while a BMI value of 30 or over is obese.
Pregnancy Weight Gain
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, provides guidelines regarding how much weight you should gain during pregnancy depending on your pre-pregnancy BMI. If you are underweight, you should gain 28 to 40 pounds, while women with a normal weight should gain 25 to 35 pounds. If you are overweight, aim to gain about 15 to 25 pounds. If you are obese, gain around 11 to 20 pounds.
Weight Distribution
According to the American Pregnancy Association, you should gain about 3 to 5 pounds during the first trimester and 1 to 2 pounds per week during the second and third trimesters. Of course, these numbers are just an average and it is important you talk with your doctor about what is normal for you.
Significance
Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy is important for many reasons. If you are underweight, your baby may be born prematurely or smaller than expected, which can lead to further health complications. If you are overweight, you may be at risk for gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. As an overweight or obese woman, your baby may also be at a greater risk for certain congenital abnormalities, as well as birth injury.
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