How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?

Whether you’re pregnant with your first child or adding to your family, your body will undergo a lot of changes throughout the nine months. 

Hormones that kick into overdrive lead to things like moodiness, morning sickness, fatigue, changes in your sense of taste and smell, an increase in blood volume, constipation, lactating, and increased breast size. 

Weight gain is the most obvious change during your pregnancy, but what’s considered a healthy amount to gain, and what happens if you add too much or too little? Let’s look at the general guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy, and what extreme changes you can expect.

If you live in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, and you’re pregnant but have concerns about your weight and other related issues, the medical staff at North Atlanta OB/GYN can help.

What’s normal for weight gain?

The guidelines for weight gain aren’t absolute; they depend on your prepregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI), whether  you’re expecting multiple births, the trimester, and the health of the fetus. 

A moderate pregnancy weight gain is 25-35 pounds. If your BMI is:

• Under 18.5: You can expect to gain up to 40 pounds
• 18.5-24.9: Expect up to 35 pounds
• 25-29.9: Expect up to 25 pounds
• 30 or higher: Expect up to 20 pounds  

Here’s the basic breakdown by trimester:

First trimester

You don’t need extra calories to care for you and the baby at this point, so you may gain only up to five pounds.

Second trimester

You need to eat an extra 340 calories daily and can expect to gain about a pound a week (12 pounds).

Third trimester

You’re eating up to 450 extra calories at this point and gain about the same as in the second trimester (amounting to another estimated 12 pounds).

What it means if you’re above normal

If you’re gaining too much weight during your pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, you’re at increased risk of conditions like gestational diabetes. 

This can lead to several problems, such as needing a cesarean (C-section) birth due to the baby’s size. Other potential issues are low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), hypertension during pregnancy (preeclampsia), and the development of diabetes later in life.

To reduce the risks of too much weight gain during this time, stay as fit and active as you can, perform exercises appropriate for your trimester, and watch your caloric intake.

What it means if you’re below normal

Having a low pregnancy weight can happen for several reasons, such as a fast metabolism, a loss of appetite, body image problems (which can lead to food aversions), or other medical issues. 

This lack of weight gain can cause a range of other problems, like premature birth, low birth weight, growth restrictions in the uterus, a range of digestive issues, and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

When managing low weight issues, be sure to increase your intake of nutrient-dense foods, healthy calories, and water.

Weight issues can be a problem when you’re pregnant, but we can help you manage it. Make an appointment with the team at North Atlanta OB/GYN in Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Marietta, today to find out the best ways to manage your weight while carrying your baby.