Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Weight gain during pregnancy varies from woman to woman. it also depends on body type. Talk with your healthcare provider about the amount of weight gain that's best for you. Also talk with your provider about diet and exercise during pregnancy.
Recommendations for pregnancy weight gain by BMI
The information in the chart below comes from the Institute of Medicine.
|
Prepregnancy
BMI
|
BMI
|
Total gain
range
|
Rate of gain in 2nd and 3rd
trimester
|
|
Underweight
|
less than 18.5
|
28-40 lbs
|
1 (1-1.3) lbs/week
|
|
Normal Weight
|
18.5-24.9
|
25-35 lbs
|
1 (0.8-1) lbs/week
|
|
Overweight
|
25.0-29.9
|
15-25 lbs
|
0.6 (0.5-0.7) lbs/week
|
|
Obese
|
greater than 30.0
|
11-20 lbs
|
0.5 (0.4-0.6) lbs/week
|
In most cases, total weight gain at the end of pregnancy is estimate below. The information comes from the March of Dimes.
|
Baby
|
7.5 pounds
|
|
Maternal energy stores
(fat, protein, and other nutrients)
|
7 pounds
|
|
Fluid volume
|
4 pounds
|
|
Breast enlargement
|
2 pounds
|
|
Uterus
|
2 pounds
|
|
Amniotic fluid
|
2 pounds
|
|
Placenta
|
1.5 pounds
|
|
Blood
|
4 pounds
|
Online Medical Reviewer:
Freeborn, Donna, PhD, CNM, FNP
Online Medical Reviewer:
Sacks, Daniel, MD, FACOG
Date Last Reviewed:
6/1/2018
© 2000-2018 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.