Weight Gain and Pregnancy: What is Normal?

If you in the beginning stages of pregnancy, you are about to embark upon an exciting and wonderful journey. Having a child will change your life in ways that you never imagined. Being pregnant will also change your body in ways that you never thought were possible!

You may be wondering how much weight you should gain now that you are “eating for two.” But, wait a minute, before you grab that cheeseburger and large fries, you should know that the term “eating for two” is not really accurate. Even though you are supporting a new life, that tiny baby inside you does not need as many calories as an adult. In fact, the average pregnant woman needs only about 300 healthy extra calories a day to support a growing baby. The emphasis should be on eating the right kind of extra calories so that your developing baby will get all the vitamins and minerals he or she needs to thrive. I know, this is not nearly as much fun as you thought!

Every woman is different so you should ask your health care provider how much weight you should gain during pregnancy. If you were an average weight before becoming pregnant, your health care provider will most likely recommend that you gain between 25 and 35 pounds during your pregnancy. If you were overweight before becoming pregnant, your health care provider may recommend that you only gain between 15 and 25 pounds. If you were underweight before becoming pregnant, your health care provider may want you to gain between 28 and 40 pounds during your pregnancy. If you are expecting twins, you should gain between 35 and 45 pounds during your pregnancy.

Gaining the right amount of weight during your pregnancy can make for a smoother, more enjoyable pregnancy. Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy can also make it easier for you to return to a normal weight once your baby has been born. If you have additional questions about pregnancy and weight gain, talk to your health care provider today.