How to Chart Your Pregnancy Weight Gain

Pregnancy is one time in your life when it's perfectly acceptable to put on pounds. But it's important to have slow and steady gain and to keep your weight within healthy range for your body type.

Here are some general guidelines—but remember to ask your healthcare provider for specific recommendations.

• RELATED: Pregnancy Weight Gain: What to Expect and Why It's Not As Bad As You Think

Determine Your Pre-pregnancy Weight

If you're 5' tall...

• Underweight: Less than 102 pounds
• Normal: 102-132 pounds
• Overweight: 133-147 pounds
• Obese: More than 148 pounds

If you're 5'2"

• Underweight: Less than 107 pounds
• Normal: 107-141 pounds
• Overweight: 142-157 pounds
• Obese: More than 158 pounds

If you're 5'4"

• Underweight: Less than 116 pounds
• Normal: 116-152 pounds
• Overweight: 153-170 pounds
• Obese: More than 171 pounds

If you're 5'6"

• Underweight: Less than 123 pounds
• Normal: 123-161 pounds
• Overweight: 162-180 pounds
• Obese: More than 181 pounds

If you're 5'10"

• Underweight: Less than 138 pounds
• Normal: 138-181 pounds
• Overweight: 182-202 pounds
• Obese: More than 203 pounds

Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart

Then use your ranking to figure out how much weight you should gain in 40 weeks:

• Underweight before pregnancy: 28-40 pounds
• Normal weight before pregnancy: 25-35 pounds
• Overweight before pregnancy: 15-25 pounds
• Obese before pregnancy: 11-20 pounds

If you’re carrying twins, pregnancy weight gain should vary slightly:

• Underweight before pregnancy: 50-62 pounds
• Normal weight before pregnancy: 37-54 pounds
• Overweight before pregnancy: 31-50 pounds
• Obese before pregnancy: 25-42 pounds

Pregnancy Weight Gain By Week

First Trimester Weight Gain

• Gain 0 to 1 1/2 pounds per month for a total of 1-4.5 pounds.
• Consume the same amount or no more than an extra 150-200 calories a day (for example, a glass of skim milk, and two slices of turkey breast)

Second Trimester Weight Gain

• Gain about 1 pound per week for a total of 12 to 14 pounds.
• Consume an extra 300 calories a day (for example, a cup of carrot-orange juice and a cup of low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt).

Third Trimester Weight Gain

• Gain 3/4 to 1 pound per week (weight gain often slows during the last month) for a total of 10 to 14 pounds.
• Consume an extra 300-450 calories a day (for example, a cup of low-sodium tomato juice and a small whole-grain bagel spread with low-fat cream cheese).