- Generally, most women gain between 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.
- A woman can gain more or less than these amounts and still have a normal pregnancy and birth.
- If you are underweight before you are pregnant you will need to gain more and overweight women should gain less.
- Talk with your health care provider about the ideal weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
- If you gain more than 6.5 pounds a month or gain less than 2 pounds a month in the second and third trimester you should talk to your healthcare provider.
- Good nutrition will provide a healthy and gradual weight gain – follow Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Living.
- Maintain an active lifestyle.
- Allow your appetite to tell you how much food to eat.
- Pregnancy is not a time to be dieting as this could prevent healthy growth and development of your baby.
Where Does the Extra Weight Go?
- Amniotic Fluid – 2 lbs
- Baby – 7.5 lbs
- Blood – 4 lbs
- Breasts – 3 lbs
- Extra body supplies for pregnancy and breastfeeding – 5-8 lbs
- Retention of fluid- varies
- Uterus – 2.5 lbs
Rate of Gain:
- Pregnant women should increase their caloric intake by
- 100 calories/day in the first trimester
- 300 calories/day in the second and third trimester
- 450 calories/day while breastfeeding
- First Trimester- 2-8 lbs
- Second Trimester- 1 lb per week
- Third Trimester- 1 lb per week
|
Twitter / 
Facebook
