Weight gain during first trimester

Pregnancy Weight Gain - SD Dept. of Health

How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?

How much weight you gain during pregnancy depends on your weight before pregnancy.

Pre-pregnancy Weight	BMI	Recommended Weight Gain
Underweight	<18.5	28-40 pounds
Normal Weight	18.5-24.9	25-35 pounds
Overweight	25-29.9	15-25 pounds
Obese	>30. 0	11-20 pounds

As a general rule, most women gain 2 to 5 pounds in the first trimester. After that, aim for one pound per week. Talk to your care provider about which weight gain range is best for you.

Find out your BMI by entering your information into this BMI calculator.

Too Little?

When you do not gain enough weight you risk:

Having a low-birth-weight baby (baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds 8 ounces). Baby may have a harder time breathing, eating, gaining weight, and fighting infections.
Having a premature baby (born too early). Premature babies may have health problems at birth and later in life.

Too Much?

When you gain too much weight you risk:

A difficult delivery for your baby.
Increased risk of C-section
Having a large baby which increases the baby’s risk of long-term health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Increased high blood sugars and high blood pressure during your pregnancy.
Difficulties with weight loss after you have the baby.

What Should You Eat?

Focus on Fresh
Your baby eats what you eat, so it’s best to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins every day. Avoid foods with little to no nutritional value like traditional baked, fried, and fast foods. Visit www.healthysd.gov for more information about seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Avoid certain foods
Some foods that may be part of a healthy diet outside of pregnancy can cause harm to your baby. Avoid:

Raw fish, raw shellfish, swordfish, shark, and king mackerel
Undercooked meat and poultry
Raw or undercooked eggs
Soft cheeses or cheeses not made in the United States
Unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized juices
Raw sprouts

Physical Activity

Physical activity is very important for a healthy mom and a healthy baby.

Pregnant women should be under the care of a healthcare provider with whom they can discuss their personal physical activity needs and options.
Healthy women should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week during and after pregnancy.
Activity should be spread throughout the week and performed at least 10 minutes at a time. For example, exercise 30 minutes per day, for 5 days per week.
Walking, swimming, and low-impact group fitness classes are all examples of moderate-intensity activity. These activities raise your heart rate and breathing and help you break a sweat. You should be able to talk, but not sing when exercising at this intensity.
Pregnant women should choose activities without a high risk of falling or injury, like skiing, horseback riding, or contact sports.
Pregnant women should avoid exercises involving lying on their back after the first trimester, like sit-ups. Ask a fitness professional for other safer options.

Ask your provider about setting healthy weight gain goals for your pregnancy.

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Managing your weight gain during pregnancy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Most women should gain somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds (11.5 to 16 kilograms) during pregnancy. Most will gain 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms) during the first trimester, and then 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week for the rest of the pregnancy. The amount of weight gain depends on your situation.

Overweight women need to gain less (15 to 25 pounds or 7 to 11 kilograms or less, depending on their pre-pregnancy weight).
Underweight women will need to gain more (28 to 40 pounds or 13 to 18 kilograms).
You should gain more weight if you are having more than 1 baby. Women having twins need to gain 37 to 54 pounds (16.5 to 24.5 kilograms).

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet, along with exercise, is the basis for a healthy pregnancy. For most pregnant women, the right amount of calories is:

1,800 calories per day in the 1st trimester
2,200 calories per day in the 2nd trimester
2,400 calories per day in the 3rd trimester

Much of the weight that you gain during pregnancy is not fat, but is related to the baby. Here is a breakdown of how 35 pounds (16 kilograms) adds up:

Baby: 8 pounds (3.5 kilograms)
Placenta: 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kilograms)
Amniotic fluid: 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kilograms)
Breast tissue: 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kilograms)
Blood supply: 4 pounds (2 kilograms)
Fat stores: 5 to 9 pounds (2.5 to 4 kilograms)
Uterus growth: 2 to 5 pounds (1 to 2.5 kilograms)

Some women are already overweight when they get pregnant. Other women gain weight too quickly during their pregnancy. Either way, a pregnant woman should not go on a diet or try to lose weight during pregnancy.

It is better to focus on eating the right foods and staying active. If you do not gain enough weight during pregnancy, you and your baby may have problems.

Still, you can make changes in your diet to get the nutrients you need without gaining too much weight. Talk to your health care provider to get help with planning a healthy diet.

Below are some healthy eating tips to help you get started.

Healthy choices:

Fresh fruits and vegetables make good snacks. They are full of vitamins and low in calories and fat.
Eat breads, crackers, and cereals made with whole grains.
Choose reduced-fat dairy products. You need at least 4 servings of milk products every day. However, using skim, 1%, or 2% milk will greatly reduce the amount of calories and fat you eat. Also choose low-fat or fat-free cheese or yogurt.

Foods to avoid:

Naturally sweetened is better than foods and drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Food and drinks that list sugar or corn syrup as one of the first ingredients are not good choices.
Many sweetened drinks are high in calories. Read the label and watch out for drinks that are high in sugar. Substitute water for sodas and fruit drinks.
Avoid junk-food snacks, such as chips, candy, cake, cookies, and ice cream. The best way to keep from eating junk food or other unhealthy snacks is to not have these foods in your house.
Go light on fats. Fats include cooking oils, margarine, butter, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, lard, sour cream, and cream cheese. Try the lower-fat versions of these foods.

Eating out:

Knowing the amount of calories, fat, and salt in your food can help you eat healthier.
Most restaurants have menus and nutrition facts on their websites. Use these to plan ahead.
In general, eat at places that offer salads, soups, and vegetables.
Avoid fast food.

Cooking at home:

Prepare meals using low-fat cooking methods.
Avoid fried foods. Frying foods in oil or butter will increase the calories and fat of the meal.
Baking, broiling, grilling, and boiling are healthier, lower-fat methods of cooking.

Exercise:

Moderate exercise, as recommended by your provider, can help burn extra calories.
Walking and swimming are generally safe, effective exercises for pregnant women.
Be sure to talk to your provider before starting an exercise program.

If you have struggled with your weight in the past, it may be hard to accept that it is OK to gain weight now. It is normal to feel anxious as the numbers on the scale edge up.

Keep in mind that you need to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy. The extra pounds will come off after you have had your baby. However, if you gain a lot more weight than is recommended, your baby will also be bigger. That can sometimes lead to problems with delivery. A healthy diet and regular exercise are your best ways to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Prenatal care - managing your weight

Berger DS, West EH. Nutrition during pregnancy. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe’s Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.

Bodnar LM, Himes KP. Maternal nutrition. In: Resnik R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 12.

Updated by: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda Center for Fertility, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Browse the Encyclopedia

Weight category - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"

— What norms of weight gain during pregnancy are doctors guided by today?

- The average increase for all nine months is from 9 to 14 kg. The exact figure depends on many factors, but a sharp deviation in one direction or the other from the norm should be alarming. To calculate the allowable increase, the initial weight of the expectant mother should be taken into account: for example, women of a fragile physique (asthenic type) must gain more than initially obese women. In addition, it is important to consider the trimester of pregnancy. nine0005

— How does weight change in different trimesters?

- Weight gain throughout pregnancy is uneven: at the very beginning it is almost imperceptible, increases significantly towards the middle and may begin to decrease two weeks before delivery. In the first trimester, both weight gain and weight loss are considered normal. On average, during this period, the expectant mother is gaining from 1.5 to 2.5 kg. In the second trimester, the baby begins to grow actively and the numbers will be different: about 500 g per week for thin women, no more than 450 g for pregnant women with normal weight and no more than 300 g for full ones. In the third trimester, the weight of the expectant mother should not increase by more than 300 g per week.

— Why do pregnant women gain weight?

- Contrary to popular belief, weight gain is not only due to the mass of a growing baby and body fat - they make up about half of the total figure. For nine months, a woman's uterus increases, the volume of circulating blood and intercellular fluid increases, amniotic fluid and the placenta form.

— Why is excess weight dangerous?

- Rapid weight gain is typical for multiple pregnancies, underweight women and too young mothers whose bodies are still developing. Often it is the result of normal overeating and requires adjustment of the diet. Diets and fasting days (especially the so-called "hungry") during the period of bearing a child are strictly prohibited even if the pregnant woman is overweight. It is very important to ensure that the baby receives all the nutrients, vitamins and trace elements, so you just need to balance your diet accordingly. nine0005

Excess weight may occur due to fluid retention, which manifests itself in the form of edema. By the way, this is especially true for working pregnant women: sedentary work provokes stagnation of fluid in the lower extremities and pathological weight gain. In this case, wearing compression stockings, leg exercises and regular walking is recommended.

— Is slow weight gain dangerous, on the contrary?

- Some expectant mothers gain the first kilograms only after the 14th week - usually for petite women who do not have a genetic predisposition to be overweight or women suffering from toxicosis. In the first case, weight gains slowly throughout all nine months, which, if the pregnant woman feels normal, should not cause concern. If we talk about early toxicosis, then by the second trimester the malaise usually disappears, body weight returns to normal and weight gain goes on as usual. nine0005

Weight during pregnancy. What increase is considered optimal?

Why is excessive weight gain during pregnancy particularly harmful? What should be the calorie content of the diet? How to build your diet so that you can eat varied (and tasty), but at the same time not gain too much? Let's figure it out.

What makes up weight gain during pregnancy?

An increase in the subcutaneous fat layer during pregnancy is a normal and natural process.

While the baby is growing inside you, he needs energy and external protection. But during pregnancy, weight increases not only and not so much due to the adipose tissue of the mother: there is more fluid in the body, the uterus grows, the fetus and placenta develop, and the breasts increase in preparation for the feeding process.

Interestingly, weight loss during the period of toxicosis can later provoke its increase: the body will try to regain what was lost.

Expectant mothers especially actively gain weight in the second trimester and the beginning of the third, but closer to childbirth, a pregnant woman can even lose 1-2 kilograms. nine0005

As long as the weight increases more or less evenly and does not go beyond the upper limit of the norm, there is nothing to worry about. But if your weight is rapidly going up, you should be wary.

How to correctly calculate the weight, and what increase is considered optimal?

In Russian obstetric practice, it is generally accepted that the total gain should not exceed 12 kg. for the entire pregnancy. Of these 12 kg. 5-6 accounts for the fetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, another 1.5-2 - for an increase in the uterus and mammary glands, and only 3-3.5 - for the fat mass of a woman. nine0005

But this is a general indicator, a kind of "average temperature in the hospital." The optimal increase is calculated individually and depends on the initial weight of the pregnant woman, her age, the number of fetuses and the size of the child (children), physical activity.

WHO recommends that optimal weight gain be calculated based on Body Mass Index (BMI).

It is determined by the formula: body weight (kg) / height squared (m).

BMI	Recommended weight gain
19. 8-26 (normal body weight)	12.5-15 kg
26.1-29 (overweight)	11.5 - 14 kg
over 29 (obese)	7-9 kg

How to calculate the optimal weight gain?

To do this, use the following chart:

Calculate your BMI: divide your initial weight in kg. for height in meters squared. nine0106

For example, your “pre-pregnancy” weight was 60 kg with a height of 170 cm.

BMI = 60: (170 x 170) = 20.76.

A BMI less than 18.5 indicates underweight. Indicators from 18.5 to 25 are within the norm, from 25 to 30 are above the norm, and a figure greater than 30 indicates obesity.
Now that you know your BMI, find the optimal weekly increase in the table and compare it with yours.

nine0073

Week of pregnancy	Underweight before pregnancy (BMI less than 18. 5)	Normal pre-pregnancy weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9)	Overweight before pregnancy (BMI over 30)
4	0-0.9 kg	0-0.7 kg	0-0.5 kg
6	0-1.4 kg	0-1 kg	0-0.6 kg
8	0-1.6 kg	0-1.2 kg	0-0.7 kg
10	0-1.8 kg	0-1.3 kg	0-0.8 kg
12	0-2 kg	0-1.5 kg	0-1 kg
14	0.5-2.7 kg	0.5-2 kg	0.5-1.2 kg
16	up to 3.6 kg	up to 3 kg	up to 1.4 kg
18	up to 4.6 kg	up to 4 kg	up to 2.3 kg
20	up to 6 kg	up to 5.9 kg	up to 2.9 kg
22	up to 7.2 kg	up to 7 kg	up to 3. 4 kg
24	up to 8.6 kg	up to 8.5 kg	up to 3.9 kg
26	up to 10 kg	up to 10 kg	up to 5 kg
28	up to 13 kg	up to 11 kg	up to 5.4 kg
30	up to 14 kg	up to 12 kg	up to 5.9 kg
32	up to 15 kg	up to 13 kg	up to 6.4 kg
34	up to 16 kg	up to 14 kg	up to 7.3 kg
36	up to 17 kg	up to 15 kg	up to 7.9 kg
38	up to 18 kg	up to 16 kg	up to 8.6 kg
40	up to 18 kg	up to 16 kg	up to 9.1 kg

Recently, doctors are increasingly talking about an individual approach and urge not to panic if the increase is slightly beyond the normal range. When assessing the state of health of a pregnant woman, the doctor focuses not only on weight, but also takes into account the results of tests and examinations and other important indicators.

Why is excessive weight gain dangerous?

Gaining extra pounds can lead to gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, or cause a caesarean section.

In addition, excessive weight gain during pregnancy may increase the risk of obesity and associated cardiovascular disease.

What can I do to keep my weight within normal limits during pregnancy?

First of all, consult a nutritionist. If there is no such doctor in the antenatal clinic, it makes sense to contact a specialist on a commercial basis. He will develop an individual diet, which will contain all the useful elements, and will offer to keep a food diary. It will also tell you how to eat right and weigh yourself. nine0037 To prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy, it is enough to follow simple rules of a healthy diet:

Eat often and in small portions;
Always keep a “healthy snack” on hand: fresh apple wedges, unsweetened crackers, dried fruit, or sugar-free yogurt;
Refuse soda, chips, sausages and sausages;
Minimize sweets;
Avoid fast food;
Limit the use of condiments, especially salt, which retains water in the body; nine0106
Choose steamed dishes;
Eat more fiber-rich foods such as whole grain bread, bran, vegetables;

The diet of a pregnant woman should be varied. Include grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and fish, legumes, or nuts.

It must be remembered that expectant mothers should never starve and adhere to extreme diets.

How many calories per day do you need during pregnancy? nine0040

It is difficult to calculate the energy value per day on your own, and then strictly adhere to a certain number of calories, and it is not necessary, unless it is recommended by a nutritionist or endocrinologist. On average, you can aim for 2000-2500 calories per day, but it is important to understand that the need for calories depends on many factors: age, initial weight, health status and level of physical activity.

When should I be on the alert?

Strictly speaking, it is better for a pregnant woman not to worry and entrust her condition to a doctor who will monitor the development of pregnancy, analyzes and monitor weight. It is important to take tests to determine the level of fasting blood glucose once a trimester.