Pregnancy and Weight Relation

Healthy weight gain during pregnancy

You're probably concerned about the amount of weight you're gaining, the effect it has on your body, and even how difficult it will be to take off after your pregnancy. Though your midwife or OB/GYN is your best source of advice about healthy weight gain during pregnancy, there are general guidelines.

Depending on your weight at the beginning of your pregnancy, you may be advised that a healthy weight gain for you is anywhere between 15 and 40 pounds. If you're underweight to start (a BMI of less than 18.5), 25 to 40 pounds is a reasonable weight gain during pregnancy. If you're overweight, 15 to 25 pounds is what to shoot for. Of that weight, 6 to 8 pounds of it is the baby. The rest is amniotic fluid, extra tissue and blood to nourish the baby (this includes the placenta), and the increased size of your breasts. You'll lose as much as 15 pounds of it with the birth (amniotic fluid, placenta, and, of course, the baby).

Any midwife or doctor will tell you that pregnancy is NOT the time to go on a diet or to be on a strict, low-protein vegan diet like the one discussed in this article. Your body AND your baby need the nutrients of an adequate, balanced diet to keep both of you healthy.

This doesn't mean you should throw all your restraint to the winds and "eat for two," though. Your body needs approximately an extra 300 calories a day to build a healthy baby. Those 300 calories should come from the same healthy variety of foods that a healthy, balanced diet gives you.

You can expect to gain weight along a pretty predictable pattern. In the first three months, you'll gain 2-4 pounds altogether. During the second trimester, you can expect to gain between 3-4 pounds a month (this evens out to a pound per week). During the last three months, you'll put on an additional 8-10 pounds. Your doctor or midwife will weigh you regularly, and she may express concern over a deviation from this pattern.

If your midwife or doctor advises you to try to limit your weight gain during pregnancy, be sure to choose a healthy diet that provides all the necessary daily requirements for vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Remember that a "diet" during pregnancy isn't meant to help you LOSE weight, but rather to limit the amount of weight gained.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise is also good for both you and the baby. You can maintain most of your daily activities, and if regular workouts were a part of your daily routine, then keep them up. You'll feel better, and your body will be less likely to protest the extra weight with aches and sores. Do keep in mind that exercise during pregnancy shouldn't be ridiculously strenuous, and that you should avoid activities with a risk of falling or injury. Also remember that your center of balance is different -- it may feel awkward to do the things you usually do while you're carrying the bun in the ove.

If you're concerned about gaining weight, or feel you're gaining too much, you can ask for a consultation with a nutritionist to help you design a healthy eating plan that will make sure the baby is well-nourished, and your concerns about your weight are met.