One of the most frequent questions pregnant women have is regarding how much weight they should gain during pregnancy. This is an important issue, as gaining too much or too little weight can have a negative impact on your baby’s growth and your birth outcomes. Gaining too much weight can cause your baby to be too large and/or require a c-section at delivery. It can also cause your baby to have a higher chance of becoming obese as an adult- how crazy is that? Not gaining enough weight can cause you baby to be too small or put you at risk for going into pre-term labor.
Fortunately, there are clear “rules” for weight gain during pregnancy that can help you. The recommended rate of weight gain is approximately 1 lb per week during the second and third trimesters. (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, n.d.). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the following ranges for weight gain during pregnancy. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and you and your healthcare provider should determine what’s best for your pregnancy.
The guidelines use a calculated body mass index (BMI). You can determine your BMI at this link. Use your pre-pregnancy weight and height.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
ACOG Guidelines for Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Pre-pregnancy BMI Recommended Gain
Underweight (BMI less than 18.5): Should gain 28-40 lbs
Normal Weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 ): Should gain 25-35 lbs
Overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9): Should gain 15-25 lbs
Obese (BMI 30 and higher): Should gain only 11-20lbs
Your diet and exercise level play an important role in helping you keep your weight gain within healthy limits. Talk with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your weight gain and ask for a referral to a registered dietician if you feel you need help with your diet.
References:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutrition Care Manual. Anthropometric Measurements, Normal Pregnancy. https://www-nutritioncaremanual-org.wku.idm.oclc.org/topic.cfm?ncm_category_id=1&lv1=272980&lv2=26918&lv3=268750&ncm_toc_id=268750&ncm_heading=Normal%20Nutrition. Accessed July 12, 2023.
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