Your diet, lifestyle, and pregnancy weight gain can all play a major role in your baby’s future health.
A normal pregnancy weight gain can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery.
How much weight should you gain during pregnancy?
How much weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI).
For someone carrying one baby with a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI, the recommended weight gain is 11.3–16 kg (25–35 pounds).
Most people gain 1–2 kg (2–4 pounds) in the first trimester, followed by about 0.5 kg (1 pound) per week during the second and third trimesters.
If you’re pregnant with two or more babies, you’ll likely need to gain more weight. Work with your healthcare professional to figure out what’s right for you.
If you were overweight or obese before pregnancy, guidelines recommend less weight gain during pregnancy.
If you were underweight before pregnancy, gaining enough weight is important. Too little may increase the risk of a premature or smaller baby.
What is a healthy BMI for pregnancy?
Your pre-pregnancy BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared, measured before pregnancy. It helps doctors guide healthy pregnancy weight gain.
Understanding the importance of a healthy BMI for pregnancy can help you determine what healthy weight gain looks like for you and your baby.
There is no separate BMI range specifically for pregnancy. Instead, healthcare professionals generally use your pre-pregnancy BMI to determine the recommended weight gain during pregnancy.
A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered the normal range for adults. If your pre-pregnancy BMI was below or above this range, your recommended pregnancy weight gain will be different.
An active lifestyle and a balanced pregnancy diet can help you stay within your recommended weight gain range.
