What is a healthy weight gain in pregnancy?
As your baby grows, it is normal to gain weight during your pregnancy. In the first trimester (first 12 weeks), most women do not gain much weight (usually less than 2 kg) – which is just as well for those who have morning sickness early in pregnancy.
Some women even lose a small amount of weight. If this happens to you, you do not need to be concerned as long as you start to gain weight steadily in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy.
A healthy weight gain in pregnancy is typically 1–2 kg per month in the second and third trimesters, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight.
Recommended pregnancy weight gain
How much weight should you gain during pregnancy and what is “normal”?
While most women gain between 11 to 16 kg, the recommended pregnancy weight gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight: If you were underweight before pregnancy, you may need to gain a little more, and if you were overweight, you should gain a little less.
Pregnancy weight gain: Where does it all go?
During pregnancy, only a small portion of the weight you gain is actually fat. Here’s a breakdown of where that pregnancy weight gain typically comes from:
-Your baby: ~3–3.5 kg
-Uterus: ~1 kg
-Amniotic fluid: ~1 kg
-Placenta: ~700 g
-Larger breasts: ~0.5-1.5 kg
-Increased blood & fluid volume: up to 3 kg
-Additional fat stores: up to 3.5 kg.
Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart
Healthy weight gain during pregnancy varies depending on your pre-pregnancy BMI. This pregnancy weight gain chart helps you understand how much weight you should aim to gain to support a healthy pregnancy — based on your individual starting point.
Your personalized pregnancy weight gain calculator
Pregnancy weight gain isn’t one-size-fits-all. The recommended weight range a mom-to-be should aim for varies depending on her pre-pregnancy weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and whether she’s expecting multiples.
The general rule of thumb is that if you have a low BMI, then your recommended weight gain will be more than for someone with a higher BMI.
First, calculate your pre-pregnancy BMI, then use our pregnancy weight gain calculator to determine your recommended weight gain.
And don’t forget to stay active!
