Pregnancy weight gain: What's healthy?
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
Putting on the pounds
In the first trimester, most women don't need to gain much weight — which is good news if you're struggling with morning sickness.
If you start out at a healthy or normal weight, you need to gain only about 1 to 4 pounds (0.5 to 1.8 kilograms) in the first few months of pregnancy. You can do this by eating a healthy diet — no extra calories are necessary.
Steady weight gain is more important in the second and third trimesters — especially if you start out at a healthy weight or you're underweight. According to the guidelines, you'll gain about 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week until delivery. An extra 300 calories a day — half a sandwich and a glass of skim milk — might be enough to help you meet this goal. For women who are overweight or have a BMI of 30 or higher, the guidelines suggest a weight gain of about 1/2 pound (0.2 kilogram) a week in the second and third trimesters. Try adding a glass of low-fat milk or an ounce of cheese and a serving of fresh fruit to your diet.
