Losing weight or not being able to gain the desired weight can affect your baby’s health and lead to premature birth. Additionally, being overweight, obese, or gaining excessive weight can affect both mother and baby and can cause complications during labor, C-section, or miscarriage. It’s important to track your pregnancy weight and use a pre-pregnancy weight-based pregnancy weight gain tracker to ensure your weight gain is within a safe range.
How much weight can I gain during pregnancy?
The appropriate weight gain during pregnancy depends on many factors, including your pre-pregnancy weight, your body mass index (BMI), and whether you’re pregnant with twins.Here is a general weight gain chart showing recommended weight gain during pregnancy:
BMI Chart For Singleton Pregnancy Weight Gain
| Pre-pregnancy BMI | Category | Recommended Weight Gain |
|---|---|---|
| < 18.5 | Underweight | 28-40lb (13-18kg) |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal | 24-35lb (11-16kg) |
| 25-29.9 | Overweight | 15-25lb (7-11kg) |
| > 30 | Obese | 11-20lb (5-9kg) |
BMI Chart For Twin Pregnancy Weight Gain
If you’re pregnant with twins, you’ll need to gain weight accordingly. Here’s a general weight gain chart for twin pregnancies:
| Pre-pregnancy BMI | Category | Recommended Weight Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal | 28-40lb (13-18kg) |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal | 37-54lb (17-25kg) |
| 25-29.9 | Overweight | 31-50lb (14-23kg) |
| > 30 | Obese | 25-42lb (11-19kg) |
If you are pregnant with multiples or more than one baby, there are no set guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy due to a lack of data. Consult your gynecologist for advice on an appropriate weight gain strategy.
When does weight gain during pregnancy begin?
During the first trimester, your body begins to gain fluid, but the amount is small. During the first month of pregnancy, your baby is a tiny mass of cells, so weight gain may be minimal or nonexistent.In fact, early in pregnancy, nausea can make you lose weight. Most women gain approximately 1.6 kg during the first three months. Weight gain is greatest during the second trimester, as eating habits affect baby weight.
Weight gain typically occurs at a rate of about 0.5 kg per week, for a total of 5.5-6.4 kg.Significant weight gain also occurs during the third trimester, but due to food aversions and the active nature of babies, weight gain may slow during the third trimester. You should expect a weight gain of approximately 5 kg during the third trimester. Normal weight gain during pregnancy is between 10–15 kg, depending on your body mass index (BMI).