In this article, we’re going to talk about weight gain during pregnancy. One of the most common questions pregnant women ask is, “How much weight gain is okay during pregnancy?” Stick with us till the end of the article to get the answer.
How Much Weight Gain is Normal?
Reasons for Weight Gain During Pregnancy
There are a lot of reasons why you gain weight during pregnancy. From the moment you find out you’re pregnant until your baby is born, you’ll keep gaining weight. One of the biggest reasons for this is your baby growing. But it’s not just your baby causing the weight gain. There’s also amniotic fluid around your baby, which adds to the weight. Your body also makes extra blood and nutrients to support your baby’s growth. As your baby grows, your uterus and placenta also get bigger, which means more weight gain for you.
When Do Pregnant Women Start Gaining Weight?
Now, let’s talk about when weight gain during pregnancy usually starts. If you’re pregnant with one baby, you probably won’t gain much weight in the first trimester—maybe around 2 kilograms. But if you’re expecting twins or more, you might gain more weight even in the first trimester. Generally, weight gain starts picking up around the fourth month. For women carrying one baby, the standard weight gain is about 2 kilograms from month one to three. After that, pregnant women should gain around 500 grams a week. If you’re eating more than 300 extra calories a day, you’ll likely gain those 500 grams after seven days.
Don’t forget to exercise during pregnancy! Staying active helps prevent excessive weight gain and makes labor easier.
What Happens if You Gain Too Much Weight?
One common worry is what happens if you gain too much weight during pregnancy. Weight gain should be monitored by your doctor. If you gain more than 16 kilograms over the nine months, both you and your baby could face serious risks. Moms who gain too much weight might have a harder time during labor. Other risks include high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and even miscarriage.
How to Avoid Excessive Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Some women gain weight during pregnancy, while others already have extra weight before getting pregnant. As we said, some weight gain is normal, but gaining too much isn’t good. However, pregnant women shouldn’t focus on losing weight or dieting during this time. Here are some tips to avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy.
Healthy Foods
As mentioned, some weight gain during pregnancy is okay. To avoid gaining too much, stick to healthy foods. Add fruits and veggies to your diet. For dairy, choose low-fat products. Pregnant women should have four servings of dairy daily, so low-fat options are a good choice.
Foods to Avoid to Prevent Excessive Weight Gain
To keep your weight gain in check, try to avoid foods that contain artificial sugars. Things like soda and candy are made with artificial sugars, so it’s better to drink water or natural fruit juices instead.