(If you’re among the 70 to 80 percent of pregnant women who struggle with morning sickness, you may find that eating more - or eating much at all - is out of the question anyway.) During those first 12 weeks, you may gain a few pounds, or none at all. You’ll likely experience slow weight gain in the beginning and in the end of your pregnancy, with something of a surge during the second trimester.įirst trimester: Your baby is quite tiny, so there’s no need to consume extra calories during this time. But while you should notice a general upward trend, don’t expect it to be a consistent rate from week to week. Most women can plan on gaining between half a pound and one pound per week throughout their pregnancy. For example, blood volume and amniotic fluid rises sharply in the second trimester and tapers off in the third trimester (more on that below). Throughout your pregnancy, though, this varies.

5-9 pounds for stored fat for delivery and breastfeeding.2-3 pounds of amniotic fluid, the fluid that surrounds and protects your growing baby.2-3 pounds for the placenta, the temporary organ that delivers oxygen and nutrients to your baby.By the end of your pregnancy, you can expect an extra: It’s not just the baby (weighing an estimated 7.5 to 8 pounds) that leads to higher numbers on the scale. Babies who are born small may have breastfeeding troubles, miss developmental milestones, and have an increased risk for illness.

If your weight gain is outside the guidelines on the low end, your baby could be small for their gestational age or be born prematurely. Morning sickness (severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, is associated with weight loss).There are several reasons someone may not gain enough weight during pregnancy, including: Gaining less weight than recommended comes with its own set of risks. What are the risks of gaining too little? Additionally, it may be more difficult to lose the extra weight after pregnancy this can lead to health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. It can also cause leg pain, back pain, and varicose veins. In your baby, gestational diabetes may cause:Įven if you don’t develop gestational diabetes, gaining too much weight can lead to plenty of complications, such as having a premature birth or a C-section. Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).Developing type 2 diabetes later in life.Low blood sugar, which can cause lightheadedness, shaking, and sweating - or seizures, confusion, or lost consciousness if left untreated.Having a baby who’s too large, which may lead to complications during delivery or Cesarean delivery (C-section).Putting on more weight than recommended is associated with gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that occurs only in pregnancy), especially in the first trimester. Lack of physical activity, excessive food intake, or certain health conditions can all contribute to someone gaining too much weight during pregnancy. What are the risks of gaining too much weight? If you’re carrying triplets or more, talk to your healthcare provider about how much weight you should gain. Here are the Institute of Medicine’s guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy: Your BMI Before Pregnancy To calculate yours, divide your body weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared, or simply use the Center for Disease Control’s BMI calculator. BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight. The answer depends on your body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy. How much weight should you gain during pregnancy? Putting on too much weight is common for women of all sizes, but it’s especially prevalent among women who begin their pregnancies overweight or obese. Studies have found that only about one-third of women gain the right amount of weight during pregnancy - and about half gain too much. The key is making sure that you’re getting enough nutrients to help your baby grow while avoiding excessive weight gain. Eating more than that can lead to too much weight gain, which can cause pregnancy complications for both mom and baby.Īs your pregnancy progresses, it’s essential to provide your body with the proper nourishment. In reality, the average pregnant woman needs to eat just a few hundred calories more per day, which is the equivalent of two or three small snacks. It’s one of the most common pregnancy myths: When you’re expecting, you’re “eating for two.”

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