It can be difficult to remember how much weight you should acquire and when you should gain it with everything else you have to do now that you’re pregnant. But, for your health and that of your baby, it’s more crucial than ever to keep an eye on the scale (within reason!).
Going at a moderate pace is recommended because gaining too much or too little weight can cause a variety of problems throughout pregnancy and after delivery. And, in most situations, there’s a lot you can do to keep your pregnancy weight gain in check — and, of course, your doctor or midwife will be there to help.
You may have heard that while pregnant, you should gain 25 to 35 pounds. However, that range only applies to persons whose BMI before pregnancy was in the “normal weight” category. Your BMI is determined by taking your height and weight into account. The first step in determining your specific weight gain objective is to calculate your BMI prior to pregnancy, which influences how many pounds you should gain during your pregnancy.
Each trimester, how much weight should you gain?
The process of gaining weight during pregnancy is not a precise science. However, the rate at which you gain weight is just as crucial as the number of pounds you gain, because your baby requires a consistent supply of nutrients and calories to grow while in the womb.
The length of time it takes you to gain weight during pregnancy is determined by a number of factors, including your metabolism, level of exercise, and heredity. It’s just another reason why it’s critical to keep up with your doctor visits during your pregnancy.
Do you want to know when you’ll gain the most weight? For people with a normal BMI before conception, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has the following recommendations:
-First trimester: Because your kid is still small, you don’t need to gain more than 2 to 4 pounds. You might not gain an ounce or perhaps lose a little weight if you have morning sickness. That’s fine as long as you lose those pounds within the next six months. Alternatively, if you have consistent pregnancy cravings, you may acquire more weight in the first trimester, in which case keeping a closer eye on the scale over the next two trimesters will help you stay on track with your overall pregnancy weight gain.
-Second trimester: Your baby begins to grow in earnest, which means that your pregnancy weight gain should ideally climb to around 12 to 14 pounds.
-Third trimester: The baby’s weight will increase, but yours may begin to taper, resulting in a net gain of 8 to 10 pounds. During the ninth month, some women’s weight stays the same or even decreases, as their abdominal quarters become increasingly tight, making it difficult to eat. If you drop a few pounds at the conclusion of your third trimester, that’s entirely normal.
Keep in mind that these are only averages, not a set of rules. Some weeks you’ll be ravenous all the time, but others will make your stomach turn if you eat too much of anything.
Try not to be overly concerned. You’re on track as long as your total pregnancy weight gain is on track and you’re gaining at around the rate you should be.
During pregnancy, where does the additional weight go?
Have you ever wondered where the weight gained during pregnancy goes? It may appear that everything is contained within your stomach, however this is not the reality. Here’s a rough breakdown of a 30-pound pregnancy weight gain:
-Baby weight: 7.5 lbs
-1.5 pound Placenta
-2 pounds amniotic fluid
-2 pound uterine enlargement
-2 pounds of maternal breast tissue
-4 pound maternal blood volume
-4 pounds of fluids in maternal tissue
-Maternal fat reserves: 7 lbs.
To have a healthy baby and pregnancy, as well as to prepare your body for breastfeeding, you must acquire weight in all of these regions.
How can I keep my pregnancy weight gain?
Keep an eye on the scale for the finest pregnancy weight increase results. What you don’t know can cause you to lose your weight. Make an attempt to weigh yourself:
-At the same hour every day
-Wearing the same number of outfits (or none at all)
-On a similar scale
Once a week or twice a week (step on more often, and the day-to-day fluid fluctuations may drive you nuts)
It’s fine to wait until your normal prenatal exam if weighing yourself at home is too distressing. Keep in mind that a lot may happen in a month, and falling off course will make it more difficult to meet your overall goals.
Eating a well-balanced diet, which includes keeping a rough daily estimate of your calories during pregnancy, is another key to healthy pregnancy weight gain.
Calculate your pregnancy calorie targets based on how many calories you consumed prior to becoming pregnant, increasing your daily intake each trimester:
-First trimester: Unless you started your pregnancy underweight, you won’t require any extra calories in the first trimester.
-Second trimester: Increase your pre-pregnancy calorie intake by 300 to 350 calories per day.
-In the third trimester, you’ll require roughly 500 calories per day more than you did before you got pregnant.
If you were underweight before to becoming pregnant, you may need to increase your calorie intake. If you’re expecting multiples, add 300 calories per baby to these figures.
Are you wondering how many calories you should consume while pregnant if you were overweight or obese before to conception? Consult your physician. You might not need as many calories as you think. If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you reduce your calorie intake.
You don’t have to keep complete journal of all of your food intake and calorie calculations, though. It’s easier to know you’re eating enough but not too much if you keep track of the number on the scale.
It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about your weight increase and daily caloric consumption to get specific advice.