Pregnancy is a time when the pregnant mother tends to gain weight during the three trimesters, so it is important to know how much weight is normal during each trimester. Pregnancy weight gain has a direct impact on the health of both the mother and the developing baby. In early pregnancy, check your body mass index (BMI) and continue a healthy weight gain program accordingly. Read more about How Much Weight Gain is Normal during Pregnancy?
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What is BMI?
It is the measure of body fat based on the height and weight of adult men and women to determine whether they are underweight, normal, overweight, obese or morbidly obese. On the basis of BMI, pregnant women will be suggested to monitor their weight gain and have a healthy and balanced diet. The BMI is simple to calculate: Divide the person’s weight in kilograms by height to square meters or you can find any online BMI calculator to measure value.
Pregnancy weight gain
On average, pregnant women can gain 12 kg (8-16 kg) depending on their BMI. It is not only the weight of the baby, but also the amniotic fluid, the placenta, the increase of the fat stocks, the blood, and so on. Here’s how the ideal weight for pregnancy is distributed:
Baby: 2 – 3.4 kg
Amniotic fluid: 4 – 5.9 kg
Increased volume of blood: 1 – 1.8 kg
Uterus: 0.5 – 1.1 kg
Placenta: 0.5 kg
Breasts: 0.5 – 1.4 kg
Fat stores: 1 – 3.6 kg
How much weight should I gain?
| Early Pregnancy BMI (< 10 weeks) | Overall Pregnancy Weight Gain Range |
| Underweight <18.5 | 12.5 – 18 kg |
| Normal weight 18.5 – 24.9 | 11.5 – 16 kg |
| Overweight 25.0 – 29.9 | 7 kg – 11.5 kg |
| Obese > 30.0 | 5 kg – 9 kg |
Here is the pregnancy weight gain table based on your BMI:
Depending on the BMI, pregnancy weight changes from pregnant mother to mother. An ideal weight gain for pregnancy includes an increase of 2-3 kg in the first 20 weeks and then 0.5 kg per week until the baby is due, which is about 12 to 14 kg in total. However, this differs in reality because of the symptoms of pregnancy, the type of body, the way of life of the individual, and so on.
Many women tend to put on weight in the first 20 weeks or to lose weight due to a morning sickness and a lack of appetite. After 20 weeks, the weight can increase gradually, followed by the loss of 1 or 2 kg before labor. On average, a woman’s overall weight gain during pregnancy varies between 8 and 20 kg depending on her body type and diet.
Consult your doctor
During regular prenatal exams, your gynecologist will check for body weight which will help to suggest a proper diet, a fitness regimen, and nutritional supplements. Keep control over normal weight gain and do not stress your weight. Be active, eat healthy, sleep early and follow your doctor’s advice to keep your pregnancy on the healthier side.