When do u start to gain weight during pregnancy

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

Pregnancy weight gain chart, plus average weight gain during pregnancy

Pregnancy
Health & Safety

By Kate Marple

April 28, 2022

To find out what a healthy weight gain is for you during pregnancy, use our pregnancy weight gain chart and talk to your doctor or midwife. Keep in mind that guidelines aren't set in stone. Your target weight gain will be different depending on your health needs. If you're overweight, obese, or underweight, it's especially important to have a customized approach to your pregnancy weight gain to balance your baby's needs and your own.

Photo credit: Nathan Haniger for BabyCenter

How much weight should you gain during pregnancy?
Pregnancy weight gain chart
Pregnancy weight gain by week
What if I'm gaining too much weight in pregnancy?
What if I'm not gaining enough weight during pregnancy?
Average weight gain during pregnancy
How do I lose weight after pregnancy?

How much weight should you gain during pregnancy?

It depends on your pre-pregnancy weight and height (used to determine whether you were underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese), as well as whether you're having twins or multiples.

You can use our pregnancy weight gain calculator or the chart below to find out how much you're recommended to gain and whether you're in your target weight range. Be aware that the chart and calculator use BMI (body mass index), a formula that is controversial, and may be inaccurate for Black, Latinx, and Asian women.

Your doctor or midwife should give you guidance, support, and information about healthy weight gain for you, specifically, during pregnancy. Expect to talk to them about weight gain regularly at your prenatal appointments. If you're overweight, obese, or underweight, it's important to have a customized approach to your pregnancy weight gain to balance your baby's needs and your own.

Another thing: It's normal to feel anxious about gaining weight, especially if you've suffered from an eating disorder. Even though you know it's important to gain weight now, it can be hard to see the number on the scale going up. If you're struggling, talking to a therapist or dietitian can help.

Try to keep in mind that healthy weight gain is important for you and your baby. It's not safe to lose weight during pregnancy. If you're overweight or obese, you may be able to safely gain less than the recommended amount during pregnancy – but only with your healthcare provider's guidance and monitoring.

Pregnancy weight gain chart

To find your target weight gain, you'll need to know your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Calculate your BMI here.

Your pre-pregnancy BMI	Your target weight gain if you're carrying one child	Your target weight gain if you're carrying twins
Less than 18.5	28 to 40 pounds	50 to 62 pounds
18.5 to 24.9	25 to 35 pounds	37 to 54 pounds
25 to 29.9	15 to 25 pounds	31 to 50 pounds
30 or higher	11 to 20 pounds	25 to 42 pounds

These guidelines for pregnancy weight gain are issued by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and are the most current available. (The recommendation for underweight pregnant women carrying twins, however, is provided by the CDC. ) Keep in mind that these are just guidelines – they aren't set in stone. Depending on your health needs, your target weight gain will be different.

Pregnancy weight gain by week

On average, women who start pregnancy at a healthy weight gain 1 to 5 pounds in the first trimester, and about 1 pound per week for the rest of their pregnancy. (Some sources estimate a 1 to 4 pound weight gain in the first trimester, which is fine. It's also okay to gain no weight in the first trimester.)

If you're overweight or obese, it's recommended to gain about half a pound per week in the second and third trimesters.

During your first trimester, you don't need to eat additional calories. Experts recommend getting about 340 extra calories a day during the second trimester and 450 extra calories a day in the third trimester.

Your pre-pregnancy BMI	Recommended weight gain (second and third trimesters)
Less than 18.5	1 to 1. 3 pounds per week
18.5 to 24.9	0.8 to 1 pound per week
25 to 29.9	0.5 to 0.7 pounds per week
30 or higher	0.4 to 0.6 pounds per week

What if I'm gaining too much weight in pregnancy?

Talk to your doctor or midwife. Your provider can help you manage your weight gain by recommending a healthy diet and exercise program that works for you.

It's important to try your best to stick to weight gain recommendations. Gaining more than recommended during pregnancy puts you at a higher risk for high blood pressure disorders, including gestational hypertension (high blood pressure that starts during pregnancy) and preeclampsia. These conditions may result in a preterm delivery.

Unless you start out underweight, gaining too much pregnancy weight also increases your risk of:

C-section birth
Gestational diabetes
Having a large baby, which can mean a difficult delivery

If you're gaining excess weight, consider a visit with a nutritionist online or in person. Pregnancy can be an opportunity to let go of some less-than-healthy eating habits you may have unconsciously adopted over time. For instance, some moms-to-be replace soda with water, add more healthy fats to their diet, cut back on sugar, and eat more whole foods and fewer processed foods.

What if I'm not gaining enough weight during pregnancy?

Gaining too little weight during pregnancy, especially if you start out underweight, can mean a higher risk of delivering a low birth weight baby (less than 5.5 pounds). This can cause a variety of problems for your baby, including feeding difficulty and low blood sugar. A low birth weight baby may also need to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time.

It's normal to not gain weight in the first trimester, or even lose some weight, due to morning sickness and other factors. In most cases, this weight loss isn't dangerous. But if you're losing a lot of weight (more than ten pounds, for example), or if you think you may be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness), tell your provider right away.

Average weight gain during pregnancy

There's no "normal" when it comes to pregnancy weight gain – it's all over the map. More than half of American women are overweight or obese when they become pregnant. Just about one-third of pregnant women gain the recommended amount of weight, and many gain more.

Studies have found that 32 percent of women gain weight within the recommended range for pregnancy, 21 percent gain too little, and 48 percent gain more than advised.

Increased appetite during pregnancy and pregnancy cravings can make it hard to stick to pregnancy weight gain guidelines. And if you're working and/or taking care of older children, you may not have much time to exercise and plan healthy meals.

Still, there are ways to avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy – drinking enough water, eating healthy snacks, sticking to a regular walking routine, and talking to your doctor or midwife about weight gain at every appointment will help you stay on track.

How do I lose weight after pregnancy?

You'll likely lose a fair amount of pregnancy weight in the first six weeks after delivery. Your baby accounts for about 7.5 pounds, and the amniotic fluid, placenta, and extra body fluids and blood in your body add up to another 8 to 12 pounds.

For the rest, remember that it took nine months to put on the weight, and it can take just as long or longer to lose it. Despite what social media may lead you to believe, it can take a while to return to your pre-pregnancy weight. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is the best way to lose weight after pregnancy.

Once you've recovered from birth, the postpartum period is a great time to find an exercise program that works for you and your new baby, whether that's stroller walks or trips to a gym with childcare.

Don't start cutting calories right away, though. Caring for a newborn requires lots of energy – and that means giving your body the postpartum nutrition it needs. And if you're breastfeeding, you'll continue to need extra calories for as long as you nurse your baby.

If you're concerned about losing weight, talk to your healthcare provider and consider seeing a registered dietitian. Sometimes moms have trouble losing weight and even gain weight after pregnancy due to an underlying medical condition like postpartum thyroiditis, diabetes, or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). If the weight isn't coming off, talk to your provider, who can help you with a treatment or nutrition plan that will address what's going on.

Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

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Beyerlein A et al. 2010. Within-population average ranges compared with Institute of Medicine recommendations for gestational weight gain. Obstetrics & Gynecology 116(5):1111-1118. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2010/11000/Within_Population_Average_Ranges_Compared_With.17.aspx [Accessed April 2022]

Blomberg M. 2011. Maternal and neonatal outcomes among obese women with weight gain below the new Institute of Medicine recommendations. Obstetrics & Gynecology 117(5):1065-1070. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21508744/ [Accessed April 2022]

Bodnar LM et al. 2010. Severe obesity, gestational weight gain, and adverse birth outcomes. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 91(6):1642-1648. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2869513/ [Accessed April 2022]

CDC. 2021. Weight gain during pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pregnancy-weight-gain.htm [Accessed April 2022]

De la Torre L et al. 2011. The effect of new antepartum weight gain guidelines and prepregnancy body mass index on the development of pregnancy-related hypertension. American Journal of Perinatology 28(4):285-292. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21229471/ [Accessed April 2022]

Durie D et al. 2011. Effect of second-trimester and third-trimester rate of gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology 118(3):569-575. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2011/09000/Effect_of_Second_Trimester_and_Third_Trimester.11.aspx [Accessed April 2022]

Gaillard R et al. 2013. Risk factors and outcomes of maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Obesity 21(5):1046-1055. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23784909/ [Accessed April 2022]

Heymsfield SB and Peterson CM. 2016. Why are there race/ethnic differences in adult body mass index–adiposity relationships? A quantitative critical review. Obesity Review 17(3): 262-275. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4968570/ [Accessed April 2022]

Hilson JA et al. 2004. High prepregnant body mass index is associated with poor lactation outcomes among white, rural women independent of psychosocial and demographic correlates. Journal of Human Lactation 20(1):18-29. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14974697/ [Accessed April 2022]

Hilson JA et al. 2006. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is associated with earlier termination of breast-feeding among white women. The Journal of Nutrition 136(1):140-146. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16365073/ [Accessed April 2022]

Johnson J et al. 2013. Pregnancy outcomes with weight gain above or below the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. Obstetrics & Gynecology 121(5):969-975. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3971915/ [Accessed April 2022]

Kaar J et al. 2014. Maternal obesity, gestational weight gain and offspring adiposity: The EPOCH Study. The Journal of Pediatrics 165(3):509-515. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4145019/ [Accessed April 2022]

Leddy MA et al. 2008. The impact of maternal obesity on maternal and fetal health. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology 1(4):170-178. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2621047/ [Accessed April 2022]

Ludwig D and Currie J. 2010. The association between pregnancy weight gain and birthweight: A within-family comparison. The Lancet 376(9745):984-990. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20691469/ [Accessed April 2022]

Macdonald-Wallis C et al. 2013. Gestational weight gain as a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 209(4):327.e1-327.e17. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937813005310 [Accessed April 2022]

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Potti S et al. 2010. Obstetric outcomes in normal weight and obese women in relation to gestational weight gain: Comparison between Institute of Medicine guidelines and Cedergren criteria. American Journal of Perinatology 27(5):415-420. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20013574/ [Accessed April 2022]

Truong YN et al. 2015. Weight gain in pregnancy: Does the Institute of Medicine have it right? American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 212(3):362.e1-362.e8. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2815%2900040-X/fulltext [Accessed April 2022]

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Weight gain during pregnancy - how not to gain weight?

Contents:

What are the optimal weight limits?
Pregnancy Weight Chart
How to weigh yourself correctly during pregnancy
Why does weight gain occur?

During pregnancy, it is important for a woman to eat a varied diet so as not to deprive the unborn baby of essential minerals and nutrients. Both excessive weight gain and weight loss are equally dangerous. But evidence suggests that more than half of European and American women gain more weight during pregnancy than recommended ¹ . So now is the time to give up what does not bring any benefit, but only extra pounds: sweet, fatty, fast food. Being overweight can cause problems during pregnancy and childbirth.

What are the optimal weight limits?

The average weight gain during pregnancy is about 10-12.5 kilograms ² . But a child is born weighing 3-4 kilograms, where does everything else come from and when does the excess go away?

In addition to the fetus itself, the uterus and breasts become larger in preparation for feeding. Muscle and fat increase - the body stores energy.

This is how the weight gained by a woman during pregnancy is distributed on the eve of feeding,
0.9 kg - amniotic fluid,
1.4–1.8 kg - blood and organic fluids, thanks to which the child receives the necessary oxygen,
0.9 kg - uterus (20 times more than normal weight),
0.7 kg - placenta, the main element through which the fetus receives nutrients.
Add the weight of the unborn baby, and you will get the approximate weight that a woman gains in nine months.

Doctors say that everything is individual and there are no uniform standards for how many kilograms to gain during pregnancy. But let things take their course, there is something horrible and you can’t completely forget about the scales. Watch your weight - you will avoid many problems during pregnancy and childbirth and easily return to your previous weight. You will have "strategic reserves" for feeding the baby. Don't worry, those extra pounds will go away as quickly as they appeared. But only on the condition that you eat right during pregnancy and lactation.

Pregnancy weight chart

The recommended weight gain during pregnancy for women with a normal body mass index is 11.5-16 kilograms. Those who are overweight during pregnancy are advised to gain a little less - from 7 to 11.5 kilograms. Those who are expecting twins or triplets, on the contrary, should score more. For example, in a multiple pregnancy with twins for a woman of normal weight, the recommended weight gain is from 16.8 to 24.5 kilograms ³ .

Trimester weight gain during pregnancy varies ³ . A woman gains the least during the first trimester - from 1.6 to 2.3 kg. Nausea in the first trimester usually causes loss of appetite and some weight loss may occur.

In the second and third trimesters, a woman gains an average of 200 to 500 g per week.

Pregnancy weight gain: weekly chart, weight in kilograms

Week	Minimum	Average weight	Maximum
14	1.1	1.5	1.9
15	1.6	2	2.4
16	1.9	2.3	2.8
17	2.2	2.8	3.4
18	2.5	2.8	3.4
19	3	3.7	4.5
20	3. 5	4.2	5
21	3.9	4.7	5.6
22	4.2	5.2	6.2
23	4.6	5.7	6.9
24	4.9	6.1	7.4
25	5.3	6.6	8
26	5.6	7	8.5
27	6	7.5	9
28	6.3	7.9	9.5
29	6.7	8.3	9.9
30	7	8.7	10.4
31	7.3	9	10.8
32	7.5	9.4	11.3
33	7.8	9.7	11.7
34	8.1	10.1	12.1
35	8. 4	10.5	12.6
36	8.6	10.8	13
37	9	11.2	13.5
38	9.3	11.6	14
39	9.4	11.7	14.1
40	9.5	11.8	14.2

How to weigh yourself correctly during pregnancy

Doctors do not recommend weighing yourself daily, it is not always informative, fluctuations are not always noticeable, the error is large, and in general this can lead to unnecessary worries. The correct option: control the weight once a week, in the morning, on an empty stomach. It is important to use the same scales, now the priority is “dynamics”. Weigh yourself only at home or in the office of your gynecologist.

Why does weight gain occur?

Excess weight is caused by hormonal changes in the body, which makes the expectant mother constantly feel hungry. Many pregnant women decide that now they need to eat for two. No need. Just eat twice as good - more varied, more correct, but not more.

Sources:

* Not a drug. dietary supplement. There are contraindications. ** Estimated period of use within the Elevit line of vitamin and mineral complexes. According to the instructions, Elevit Pronatal can be used at the stage of pregnancy planning, during pregnancy, after childbirth and during breastfeeding.

Healthy maternal nutrition: a better start to life report WHO, Regional Office for Europe 2016.
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/how-much-weight-will-i-put-on-during-my-pregnancy/
Poston L. Gestational weight gain // https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gestational-weight-gain, accessed 07.10.2018.

CH-20220504-32

Weight during pregnancy

Weight control during pregnancy is extremely important. Indeed, by the way the expectant mother gains kilograms, one can judge the rate of fetal growth, the formation of the placenta, the quality of its work, and how the woman's body copes with the load. Both excess and lack of body weight during pregnancy is a signal of trouble. Why? And at what pace should I gain weight while waiting for the baby?

Norms of weight gain for a future mother

It is believed that during pregnancy a woman can normally gain about 12 kg. This is an average. “The specific figure for each expectant mother depends on her weight before pregnancy, more precisely on her body mass index (BMI),” says Natalya Radlevich , an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Miracle Doctor multidisciplinary center.

*If BMI before pregnancy was less than 18.5 (low body weight), then 12.5-18 kg can be added in 9 months without any negative consequences.

*With a BMI of 19 to 25 (normal values) - 10-15 kg.

*BMI over 26 indicates overweight, over 29 indicates obesity. It is clear that in this case it is undesirable to recover strongly: your norm is 7-11 kg.

The rate of weight gain

No less important than the total number of kilograms that a woman gains in all nine months.

*In the first 13 weeks of pregnancy can be added 1-3 kg , and with severe toxicosis, do not gain weight at all.

* By week 20 body weight should ideally increase by 4 kg .

* After 20 weeks normal weight should be increased gradually: approximately half a kilo every 7 days .

*A woman usually gains about 1 kg in 9 months.

“At the same time, it is important to take into account that life makes many adjustments to this scheme: for example, during the week a woman’s weight may not grow at all, and the next week it may double,” adds Tatyana Boyko , general practitioner of the Center for Immunology and Reproduction. - Some jumps in weight gain may be a variant of the norm. Do not panic because of them prematurely, consult your doctor. However, they should not be left completely unattended.

How to add within the norm

Forget about the fact that during pregnancy you can eat for two. The energy requirement of the expectant mother increases by only 300 kcal per day. And, of course, you need to get them with healthy products - cottage cheese, kefir, fish, vegetables, fruits, and not a piece of cake. In the first half of pregnancy, the total energy value of the diet should be an average of 2500 kcal. It is recommended to include 110 g of proteins, 80 g of fats, 350-400 g of carbohydrates. In the second half of pregnancy - 2800 kcal: the amount of proteins increases to 125 g, fat - up to 70-90 g, carbohydrates - up to 400-420 g.

“In order not to go beyond the norm, I would advise pregnant women to control the amount of portions,” adds Natalya Radlevich. - For cereals, cereals, cottage cheese and side dishes - no more than 4 tablespoons. For liquids (soups, juices, kefir, etc.) - about 250 ml (glass). Vegetables and fruits - 150 g at a time. And be sure to limit your intake of salt and spicy foods. Such food leads to fluid retention in the body, which causes edema and polyhydramnios.

Excessive weight gain

Carrying extra pounds with every month of pregnancy will become more and more difficult. “Such a load can lead to diseases of the cardiovascular system and spine,” says Tatyana Boyko. - In addition, against the background of high body weight, hormonal disorders often form, which negatively affect the development of the baby. In the first trimester, busting with weight rarely happens. Most often, expectant mothers experience excess weight gain in the second and third trimesters. There are several reasons for this.

*Large fetus or multiple pregnancy. In this case, the weight of the expectant mother grows at the expense of the baby. Alas, it is impossible to influence this process, the doctor simply must take it into account in the further management of pregnancy and childbirth. Such pregnant women cannot limit themselves in nutrition.

*Polyhydramnios. Its cause can be both multiple pregnancy and pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus or Rhesus conflict. Polyhydramnios is well defined by palpation and ultrasound. If the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to find out the cause and start appropriate therapy.

*Edema. Usually associated with late toxicosis (preeclampsia), against which protein appears in the urine, blood pressure rises. The doctor must find out the cause of preeclampsia (thrombophilia, kidney dysfunction, etc.) and eliminate it. In addition, the cause of edema can be the use of a large amount of liquid, salty foods: this causes fluid retention in the body. In this case, a high-protein diet and correction of the drinking regimen will help to solve the problem - the liquid in the diet of a pregnant woman should be no more than 1.5 liters per day.

*Nutritional factor. Excessive or unbalanced (high-calorie) diet is the most common cause of excess weight gain. In this case, the body does not gain water, but fat. If a woman enters a pregnancy with overweight and it continues to grow rapidly, simply correcting the diet is not enough. It is necessary to consult an endocrinologist and a therapist in order to exclude chronic diseases and metabolic disorders.

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How to adjust your weight

*After consulting a doctor, you can reduce the calorie content of the diet by 200-300 kcal a couple of times a week. Just reduce portions without giving up the whole meal.

*Try to eat at the same time. The diet disciplines your body: it will be ready for each next meal, which means it will absorb it better.

*Eat 5-6 small meals a day (average 200 g). The interval between meals should be 3-4 hours.

*Properly distribute food throughout the day. Breakfast should account for 30% of the calorie content of the diet, lunch - 40%, second breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner - 10% each.

Insufficient weight gain

It is said if a woman with a normal or thin physique gained less than 7 kg during the entire period of pregnancy. Doctors are also alarmed by the fact that the weight is worth it: the expectant mother does not add a single gram for three weeks in the first half of pregnancy. And within two weeks - in the second. It is also bad if the weight decreases: sharply or by more than 4 kg in the first trimester. Doctors consider any of these situations more alarming than the one when the expectant mother is seriously recovering. After all, because of her, one way or another, the baby suffers. What are the risks?

*Defective fetal development. From a mild degree of intrauterine malnutrition to developmental anomalies.

*Risk of having a small baby (less than 2.5 kg). Such children are often weak, have neurological problems, and are prone to infectious diseases.

*Early termination of pregnancy. If the weight loss is due to the fact that a woman is malnourished, she loses the synthesis of hormones necessary to maintain pregnancy.

Rapid weight loss is especially dangerous for the unborn baby. In this case, the concentration of ketones, close relatives of acetone, increases in the blood of a pregnant woman. This toxic substance through the placental bloodstream penetrates to the fetus and can cause malformations of its development.

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Causes of insufficient weight gain

In any period

*Undernutrition, unbalanced, irrational nutrition. The reason for this can be either social factors, or when a woman deliberately cuts her diet, fearing that during pregnancy she can get very fat.

*Chronic diseases of the future mother: endocrine disorders, such as thyrotoxicosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, oncological diseases.

First trimester

*Toxicosis. As soon as the problem is solved, the woman begins to put on weight.

In the second and third trimester

They talk about it if the amount of amniotic fluid does not exceed 500 ml. Bacterial infections, insufficient development of the epithelium lining the amniotic membrane, or a decrease in its secretory function, severe forms of preeclampsia lead to oligohydramnios. Therapy of oligohydramnios is the treatment of the underlying disease, against which it developed. *Low fruit weight. This may be an individual feature of a woman if she has already had small children. Another reason is fetal growth retardation syndrome. It is formed due to hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the baby, infections, genetic forms of thrombophilia, pathologies of the thyroid gland of a pregnant woman, etc.