Healthy Weight Gain for A Health Pregnancy

If you are newly pregnant, you may be wondering how much weight you need to gain during your pregnancy to support the growth and development of your baby.  Although it is necessary to eat extra calories when you are pregnant to account for your growing baby, it is not necessary to “eat for two.” For most pregnant women, an extra 300 calories a day is enough to promote a healthy pregnancy. If you are carrying twins or multiples, this number may need to be higher. Your health care provider can help determine the extra caloric intake you need during pregnancy based on your current weight and the specific circumstances surrounding your pregnancy. However, it is very important that you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet while you are pregnant so that both you and your baby receive the important vitamins and nutrients that you need to thrive.

So, how much weight should you gain during pregnancy? Again, this amount will be different for each woman and your health care provider can best advise you on how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy. In general, a woman of average weight should gain between 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. A woman who is underweight should gain between 28 and 40 pounds during pregnancy. A woman who is overweight should gain only 15-20 pounds during pregnancy. If you are carrying twins, you should gain between 35-45 pounds during your pregnancy.

If you gain too much weight during your pregnancy, it can put you at risk for certain health problems and make the delivery of your child more difficult. It can also make it harder to get back to your normal weight after pregnancy. If you are pregnant, talk to your Obstetrician today about healthy eating habits that will promote a healthy pregnancy and give you the best chance at delivering a healthy baby.