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.
Breakdown
of Weight Gain in Pregnancy |
| 7
lbs |
fetus |
| 4
lbs |
placenta,
& amniotic fluid |
| 2
lbs |
uterus |
| 4
lbs |
blood
volume |
| 3
lbs |
breast
tissue |
| 5-10
lbs |
maternal
stores |
|
