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Healthy Weight Gain

Make sure you're on track and gaining just the right amount of pregnancy weight. Too much can be bad for both you and Baby!
By Dr. Laura Riley from Parents Magazine

If you are starting your pregnancy weighing more than you'd like, don't try to diet. Dieting will rob you and your baby of needed nutrients. Focus instead on eating a healthful diet, avoiding junk food, and exercising to the extent that your doctor allows. Aim for gradual weight gain. It's best to gain a little at a time rather than load on 6 pounds in 1 week and nothing for several weeks afterward. Pay attention to the scale and these general weight-gain guidelines:

  • If you are a normal weight before pregnancy, gain 25-35 pounds
  • If you are overweight before pregnancy, gain 15-25 pounds
  • If you are underweight before pregnancy, gain 28-40 pounds
  • If you are obese, gain 15 pounds or less.

If you are pregnant with multiples, your weight gain will depend on several factors, including your prepregnancy weight and how many babies you're carrying. For example, a normal-weight woman who is having twins should gain 35-45 pounds.

Originally published in You & Your Baby: Pregnancy.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

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