About Pregnancy Weight Gain
Reprinted with permission from American Pregnancy Association
Talk to your doctor about a well-rounded diet that will work for you. Being slightly above or below your optimum weight is not a cause to worry. Proper food intake will also help keep you on track.
Facts About Weight Gain
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, for women who are at normal weight when pregnancy occurs.
- Women who are underweight should gain about 34 pounds, unless your doctor says differently.
- Women who are overweight should gain about 20 pounds, unless your doctor says differently.
- Eating low fat meals will allow you to gain weight correctly for your pregnancy. Putting on weight that is unnecessary is easy to do when eating junk food and foods that are higher in fat.
- Eating a well-rounded diet is important. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should have 4 servings of milk, 3 to 4 servings of protein (2 to 3 from animal and 1 to 2 from legumes/nuts), 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (2 of Vitamin C, 2 of Vitamin A, and 1 of another), 4 servings of whole grain products, and 2 servings of other.
Weight Distribution
- 7½ pounds is about how much the baby will weigh by the end of pregnancy
- 1½ pounds is how much the placenta weighs