What if I'm overweight?

If you are starting your pregnancy overweight, 15 to 25 pounds is the recommended weight gain. If you are obese, your doctor may aim for a lower goal of 15 pounds or less. Moreover, if you are concerned about your starting weight, work with your doctor to establish a personal weight gain goal.

What if I'm underweight?

If you are below your ideal weight, you will want to gain enough weight to reach your ideal weight and gain an additional 25 to 35 pounds. Inadequate nutrition and poor weight gain, put your baby at risk for low birth weight and premature birth. If you are having difficulty gaining weight work with your doctor on healthy ways to increase your caloric intake.

How much weight should I gain in each trimester?

The majority of your weight should be gained in the second and third trimester. In your first trimester you may find that you do not gain weight and some actually lose weight. This is not ideal, but it is also not abnormal. You should attempt to eat small, frequent meals. This should help with adequate weight gain. You should expect to gain 3 to 5 pounds in your first trimester.

Your second and third trimesters, you should expect more rapid weight gain, typically 10 to 15 pounds in each trimester.

Where does it all go?

Although you are eating for two, the added weight does not all go to baby. Some of your weight will be due to increased blood volume, some to the placenta, and some to breast tissue and maternal stores.