About this topic
No matter what you weigh before getting pregnant, you must gain weight during pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the time to lose weight. Steady weight gain that you get from a balanced and healthy diet does good things for you and your baby. The weight you gain gives your growing baby food. The extra weight will be used later to make milk. ‚
Weight gain should be slow and steady. If you were a normal weight before getting pregnant, your doctor expects you to gain a certain amount during each stage of your pregnancy. ‚
- First trimester: 1 to 41/2 pounds which is about 2 to 10 kg.
- Second and third trimester: 1 to 2 pounds each week which is about 2 to 4 kg each week.
You should eat a variety of foods with lots of: ‚
- Carbs to give you energy
- Proteins. You need proteins for your baby to grow and for your changing body.
- Fats. Healthy fats give energy and help your baby grow.
- Fiber. Helps you digest your food.
Most of the foods in these groups have vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may also ask you to take a vitamin pill. ‚
General
The right weight for you is based on your weight before you got pregnant. The weight gain is also based on how many babies you are carrying. Eating for two does not mean eating twice as much. Doctors and dietitians may look at your height and weight before getting pregnant to help decide how much weight you should gain. The following are some suggested weight gains when pregnant. ‚
- If you are overweight: 11 to 25 pounds
- If you are normal weight: 25 to 35 pounds
- If you below normal weight: 28 to 40 pounds
If you were a normal weight before pregnancy, you only need 300 extra calories each day in your second and third trimester for you and your growing baby. If you were below a normal weight before pregnancy, you will need to put on weight. If you were already overweight when you got pregnant, you will still need to gain weight for the baby. ‚
Here is a sample of where the weight gain will go if you were at a normal weight before getting pregnant. ‚
- 7 to 8 pounds = babys weight when born
- 6 pounds = uterus, fluid, and placenta
- 2 pounds = mother's breast
- 4 pounds = mother's blood
- 11 pounds = mother's fat, water, and nutrition
What will the results be?
A healthy weight gain during pregnancy will help you and your baby. Healthy weight gain may prevent problems during pregnancy, labor, and when giving birth. Your baby will have a good source of foods needed to grow and develop. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Workout regularly but moderately. Exercise is good for toning muscles and may help lower muscle aches and pains.
- Stay away from secondhand smoke. Breathing in the fumes from smokers may be harmful to the baby and you.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order a vitamin for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Try to eat every 3 hours while awake.
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Make sure that each meal has the right amount of nutrients and minerals that you and your baby needs. You may ask your doctor about seeing a dietitian.
What foods are good to eat?
- Healthy carbs:
- Fresh fruits like oranges, apples, pear, peaches and watermelon
- Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, and other green leafy vegetables
- Fiber-rich food:
- Whole wheat bread
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice, whole grain pasta
- Seeded rye, barley
- Wheat berries
- Foods high in minerals like folic acid, iron, and calcium:
- Green leafy vegetables, broccoli
- Apples, oranges
- Bread, cereals
- Milk
- Lean meats, deboned fish
- Baked beans
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
What foods should be limited or avoided?
- Foods that are not cooked like:
- Raw meat
- Lunch meat
- Raw shellfish: Oysters, clams, and mussels
- Raw eggs and homemade foods made of raw eggs like mayonnaise
- Foods that may carry illnesses like:
- Unpasteurized milk
- Soft cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola, queso blanco and queso fresco
- Unwashed vegetables
- Foods that are high in sugar, salt, or other things that are not good for you or your baby.
- Fish high in mercury: Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tuna, and tilefish
- Smoked seafood
- Food with saturated fat: High-fat cuts of meat (beef, lamb, pork), chicken with skin, whole fat dairy like whole milk, butter, cheese, ice cream
- Canned fruits with syrup ¢ ˆ ’ have more sugar
- Canned vegetables ¢ ˆ ’ have more salt
- Instant grains and refined carbs: Instant oatmeal or rice, cookies, soda pop
What problems could happen?
- Loss of baby
- Birth defects
- Baby is born early
- You have diabetes during pregnancy and have to take insulin
- Your have a large baby
- Baby may grow up to have weight problems and diabetes
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Vaginal bleeding
- Cramping
- Too much weight gain
Helpful tips
When buying food, read the label. Reading the label will help you decide what foods are best. ‚
Where can I learn more?
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ‚
http://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/why-your-weight-matters-during-pregnancy-and-after-birth ‚
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq056.ashx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚