Weight Gain Recommendations

The Pregnancy Book for later.

Weight gain recommendations have been widely debated by researchers over the years. The only thing that is sure is that it is better to gain twenty five pounds on a healthy diet than gaining fifteen pounds from chips, sodas and chocolate.

Recommended weight gain averages and birth weights were increased since the 1970's, when the emphasis shifted from quantity to quality of foods. Doctors are widely agreeing that a woman who gains extra pounds from a constructed nutritional program is healthier and her chances to go back to her normal figure increase.

In studies conducted by the Institute of Medicine, testing the connection between weight gain and premature labor, the results were surprising: ninety percent of the studies showed a link between low rate pregnancy weight gain and premature labor, meaning if the women did not gain enough weight, she was at a higher risk to give birth prematurely.

Fetal growth has also been connected to weight gain rates in pregnancies. Low maternal weight can cause low birth weight and extremely high maternal weight can cause high birth weight.

Rates of weight gain should be monitored in prenatal visits. A Canadian study found that women who gained excessive weight in the first twenty weeks, would likely retain the weight after birth, making the task of getting back into shape much harder.

Underweight Women

Underweight women are at a higher risk for having a low-birth-weight infant. This risk increases if she does not gain enough weight during her pregnancy. A woman with a BMI (Body Mass Index – a chart calculating your weight according to height) of 19.8 before getting pregnant, is considered under weight. Weight gain recommendations for underweight women are approximately 0.5 pounds a week (30-40 pounds during her pregnancy). If you are an underweight woman, consult your doctor or a dietitian about your dietary needs and general lifestyle.

Overweight Women

Maternal obesity increases the chance of birth complications and fetal risk. A woman with a BMI of over 27 is considered obese, which can lead to pregnancy diabetes, hypertension, urinary infections and more.

As a result, the chance for a cesarean operation increases substantially. Recommendations for an overweight woman is approximately 15 to 25 lb weight gain.

If you suffer from obesity or overweight consult your doctor on things you should do during your pregnancy such as exercises, controlled weight loss and dietary requirements.

Normal-Weight Women

A normal-weight woman has a BMI of 19.8 to 26.0. Recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy are from 25 to 35 pounds in a rate of 0.5 to pounds a week. At your prenatal visit, consult your doctor on dietary needs and check for levels of iron, blood pressure and glucose. Maintain consistent weight gain and stay active during your pregnancy.