Pregnancy Weight: How Much Is Too Much?
Gaining weight during pregnancy is a given. Those extra pounds are needed to nourish the little one inside of you. But as many women proudly proclaim, “I’m eating for two,” I sometimes wonder how much weight gain is necessary, and what is recommended. I remember my mother telling me that her OB/GYN would only allow her to gain 25-30 lbs. during her pregnancies in the 1960’s. But by today’s standards, and for a lot of pregnant women, only gaining that small amount of weight may seem like they’re starving their child and depriving him or her of necessary nutrients. But when you think about it, the baby only weighs about 10 lbs. So, if you’re gaining 40, 50 or even 75 lbs. during pregnancy, you may be gaining too much.
Here’s what the experts say:
Three factors determine the recommended amount of weight gain during pregnancy: the mother’s pre-pregnancy weight, whether she is expecting twins or multiple children and the trimester. Typically, more weight gain is expected during the second and third trimesters. Therefore, the amount of calories consumed should increase at that time.
To insure that babies get the nutrients they need and are growing at a healthy rate, expectant mothers should eat a healthy, balanced diet while gaining the recommended amount of weight and take prenatal vitamins. Avoid piling on the pounds beyond what’s appropriate because it can lead to other health problems, such as low-back pain, gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
Eating for one
It is true that you need extra calories from nutrient-rich foods to help your baby grow, but It is not necessary to "eat for two" during pregnancy. Generally, you only need to consume 200 to 300 more calories per day than you did before you became pregnant to meet the needs of your growing baby.
How much you should gain and when?
A woman of average weight before pregnancy can expect to gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. In general, you should gain about 2-4 pounds during your first three months of pregnancy and one pound a week for the remainder of your pregnancy. If you’re wondering how all that adds up by the end of your pregnancy, here’s a breakdown of how the weight is distributed:
- Where the weight goes
- Baby 8 pounds
- Placenta 2-3 pounds
- Amniotic fluid 2-3 pounds
- Breast tissue 2-3 pounds
- Blood supply 4 pounds
- Fat stores for delivery and breastfeeding 5-9 pounds
- Uterus increase 2-5 pounds
TOTAL 25 to 35 pounds
According to this information, my mother’s physician was right on target. Of course, these amounts would change if there were multiple babies, but it is a good gauge. Always consult your physician to determine the right amount of weight gain for you.
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