Articles
Pregnancy weight gain: What's healthy?
Content
Pregnancy weight-gain guidelines
When you're carrying twins or other multiples
When you're overweight
When you're underweight
When you gain too much
Where does pregnancy weight gain go?
Putting on the pounds
Working with your health care provider
Pregnancy weight-gain guidelines
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to pregnancy weight gain. Appropriate weight gain for you depends on various factors, including your pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI). Your health and your baby's health also play a role. Work with your health care provider to determine what's right for you.
Consider these general guidelines for pregnancy weight gain:
| Pre-pregnancy weight | Recommended weight gain |
|---|---|
| Source: Institute of Medicine and National Research Council | |
| Underweight (BMI under 18.5) | 28 to 40 lbs. (about 13 to 18 kg) |
| Normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) | 25 to 35 lbs. (about 11 to 16 kg) |
| Overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9) | 15 to 25 lbs. (about 7 to 11 kg) |
| Obesity (BMI 30 or more) | 11 to 20 lbs. (about 5 to 9 kg) |
