Nutrition and diets 

How many kg are gained during pregnancy? Weight gain during pregnancy. The dangers of rapid weight gain

During pregnancy, the expectant mother's body stores adipose tissue. It protects the baby from cold and external physical factors. Normal weight gain during pregnancy is about 10-15 kilograms. They also include the mass of the fetus, its membranes and amniotic fluid.

During the period of bearing a child, a woman is advised to follow a diet and not exceed the daily caloric intake. Overeating and physical inactivity contribute to obesity. It increases the load on the musculoskeletal, urinary and cardiovascular systems of the expectant mother, increasing the risk of developing diabetes, atherosclerosis and a number of other equally serious diseases.

Body mass index

Body mass index or BMI- an indicator reflecting the correspondence of body weight to a person’s height. With its help, the doctor can determine whether the patient is obese or underweight.

Body mass index is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. The resulting indicator must be equal to a two-digit number by which the result is determined.

A normal BMI value is considered to be from 18 to 25. Such numbers indicate a good physique and no health risks. A BMI value of less than 18 corresponds to underweight. This indicator indicates an increased risk of developing dystrophy, anemia, and cachexia.

A BMI ranging from 25 to 30 is a borderline situation in which the patient has increased body weight, but is not yet considered obese. People with this index value should try to lose excess weight.

Attention! Normally, during the entire pregnancy, a woman with underweight should gain no more than 18 kilograms, with a normal weight indicator - no more than 15 kilograms, and with obesity - no more than 9 kilograms.


A BMI over 30 indicates obesity. The higher the degree of the indicator, the more pronounced the mass gain in a person. People with a body mass index over 30 have an increased risk of diabetes, myocardial infarction and other diseases.

Calculation of body mass index has no prognostic value for people with overly developed muscles. A BMI value in athletes can exceed 25, but this will not indicate increased body weight. This feature is due to the fact that muscle tissue weighs much more than fat tissue.

Also, body mass index is not reliable in young children, amputees and pregnant women. For prognostic purposes, during pregnancy, the woman’s BMI value before conception is used. By calculating body mass index, the doctor can find out the normal weight gain at each stage of pregnancy.

Increase distribution

It is a mistaken belief that weight gain during pregnancy is associated only with fetal weight and fat deposition. In fact, this indicator includes several factors:

Fetus. The baby gains weight from the first weeks of pregnancy. However, a significant increase in his weight is observed in the third trimester. By this period, all the organs and systems of the unborn child are formed, he begins to prepare for birth through growth and weight gain. Typically, at the time of birth, children weigh from 2500 to 4000 grams.

Amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the habitat of the unborn child. Its amount increases in proportion to the baby's growth until about the middle of the third trimester of pregnancy, reaching 2-2.5 kilograms. After this, the volume of amniotic fluid gradually decreases. By the time the baby is born, the amount of amniotic fluid reaches 1.2-1.5 kilograms.

Uterus. Before pregnancy, its size does not exceed 8 centimeters. During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges 500 times and its muscle fibers hypertrophy. By the end of pregnancy, the weight of the organ can reach 1000-1200 grams.

Placenta and membranes. These structures also grow with the baby. The greater the baby's weight, the heavier and larger the placenta and amniotic sac. By the time of birth, the weight of the placenta is about 500 grams.

Mammary gland. Under the influence of the sex hormones estrogen and prolactin, breast enlargement is observed. It is achieved by the proliferation of gland ducts. Breast swelling begins in the first weeks of pregnancy. By the end of the gestation period, the mass of the mammary glands increases by 500 grams.

Intravascular fluid. During pregnancy, the mother’s cardiovascular system works “for two,” since the baby’s nutrition depends on its work. The unborn child requires intensive blood supply, which is why an increase in the amount of blood is observed in the body of the expectant mother. This change occurs in the middle of the gestation period. By the end of pregnancy, the increase in intravascular fluid volume is about 1200-1500 grams.

Edema. In the last trimester of pregnancy, there is an increase in the load on the urinary system of the expectant mother. A woman’s kidneys do not have time to process the required amount of fluid that enters the intercellular space. Normally, by the end of pregnancy, the mass of edema should not exceed 2-3 kilograms.

Fat. Its deposition is considered a physiological reaction of the mother's body during pregnancy. However, normal weight gain due to adipose tissue should not exceed 4-5 kilograms.

Important facts about weight gain during pregnancy

Pregnancy weight gain chart

To determine physiological gain, a woman should know her BMI before pregnancy. With a lack of body weight, normal weight gain is greater than that of expectant mothers with the correct physique. Also, women with a higher BMI should gain fewer kilograms compared to pregnant women with a standard figure.

When carrying twins, normal weight gain is significantly higher than during a normal pregnancy. To calculate the rate of weight gain, the expectant mother can use a special table, where the values ​​​​indicate the possible increase in kg:

Weight deficiency before pregnancy

Normal weight before pregnancy

Excess weight before pregnancy

Carrying twins

Excess weight during pregnancy

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is a risk factor for certain diseases. Sometimes an increase in body weight is associated with the development of edema. Most often, this situation occurs at the end of pregnancy, but sometimes fluid stagnation occurs in the second trimester.

Massive edema is one of the signs of a dangerous complication of pregnancy - gestational arterial hypertension. This disease is characterized by increased blood pressure, the appearance of protein in a general urine test, and stagnation of fluid in the interstitial space.

If a woman observes swelling that extends above the ankles, or is located on the upper limbs and face, she should consult a specialist. Gestational hypertension is characterized by fluid stagnation that does not go away in the morning.

Excess weight during pregnancy is a risk factor for developing gestational diabetes. The disease is characterized by increased glucose in the blood serum. Gestational diabetes mellitus can cause fetal hypertrophy.

Pathological weight gain increases the load on the musculoskeletal system. Due to strong pressure on the spine, the chance of back pain, osteochondrosis, and lumbar hernia increases.


Excessive weight gain can cause complications during labor. In obese women, primary and secondary weakness of contractions and pushing is much more common. Also, extra pounds can provoke, leading to fetal hypoxia.

To lose weight during pregnancy, the expectant mother should follow several rules. You cannot limit yourself very strictly in food, since an unbalanced diet causes pathologies in the fetus.

A pregnant woman should eat in small portions 5-6 times a day. It is recommended that the expectant mother exclude flour, fatty, fried, and smoked foods. A woman should try not to overeat and stop eating when she is full.

Also, in order to reduce weight, the expectant mother should prevent constipation. Stagnation of feces worsens metabolism and contributes to the deposition of extra pounds. To prevent and treat constipation in a pregnant woman, it is recommended to drink 2 liters of clean water a day, eat dried fruits, white cabbage, plums, and apricots.

Once every one or two weeks it is useful to have a fasting day. During it, a pregnant woman should not starve; she should make a menu of fresh vegetables and fruits, kefir and cottage cheese. You can also include buckwheat and rice groats in your fasting day diet.

Underweight during pregnancy

Weight loss during pregnancy is a dangerous condition for the health of the unborn child. If the diet is insufficient, the baby does not receive all the necessary vitamins, proteins and minerals. Lack of nutrients in the diet of the expectant mother contributes to intrauterine growth retardation and development of the fetus, pathologies of his nervous system and anemia.

If there is insufficient weight gain, a woman is advised to slightly increase her caloric intake. However, your diet should not include harmful foods - processed foods, chips, mayonnaise, fast food. To increase the energy value of the menu, you should eat nuts, biscuits, olive oil and butter.

Quite often, lack of weight in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with. To combat it, the expectant mother is advised to have breakfast without getting out of bed, drink enough water, and have frequent snacks.

During toxicosis, many women are helped by eating mint, lemon, orange, crackers, sour cream, and bananas. If the expectant mother is bothered by vomiting more than 5 times a day, she should consult a doctor.

Diabetes and pregnancy

If the expectant mother has type 1 diabetes, she should consult a doctor when planning her diet. The specialist determines the required dose of insulin, depending on the stage of pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a complication of pregnancy; after childbirth, the amount of glucose in the blood normalizes. If this pathology is detected, the expectant mother should carefully plan her daily diet.

The choice of products for diabetes should be based on the number of “bread units”. The expectant mother should exclude foods rich in fast carbohydrates - candy, flour, chocolate, potatoes, rice, sweet vegetables and fruits.

Weight control and diet

Careful weight control during pregnancy prevents dangerous complications. To track weight gain, it is recommended to keep a chart according to the pregnancy calendar. A woman should weigh herself at least once a week in the morning after emptying her bladder and bowels. The obtained values ​​should be entered into the chart opposite the gestation period.

A smooth increase throughout pregnancy is considered normal. A pregnant woman should be alert to the following indicators:

  • gaining more than 2 kilograms per week at any stage of pregnancy;
  • any decrease in body weight per week at any stage of pregnancy;
  • gaining more than 4 kilograms during the first trimester;
  • gain more than 1500 grams in one month of the second trimester;
  • gaining more than 0.8 kilograms per week in the third trimester.
The diet during pregnancy should include a sufficient amount of protein foods - meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products. Also, the expectant mother should consume healthy carbohydrates contained in cereals, vegetables, fruits and berries. To compensate for the fat deficiency, a pregnant woman needs to include nuts and vegetable oils in her diet.

An approximate daily diet for normal weight gain is as follows:

  • 8:00. 100 grams of cottage cheese 3%, banana.
  • 11:00. Omelette of 2 eggs, 200 grams of fresh tomato and cucumber salad with vegetable oil.
  • 14:00. 150 grams of baked chicken breast, 150 grams of boiled buckwheat, a piece of rye bread.
  • 16:00. 200 grams of zucchini and potato casserole, 2 apricots.
  • 18:00. 150 boiled fish, 200 grams of boiled rice cereal, a piece of rye bread.
  • 21:00. 1 apple, 250 grams of kefir 1%.

Not all expectant mothers understand how important it is to respect reasonable boundaries when it comes to nutrition. Some people worry about their figure, which will be difficult to get into shape after childbirth, and begin to limit themselves in everything, while others think that now they literally need to eat “for two” and lean heavily on their favorite foods.

In fact, any deviations from the norm can equally pose a danger to the health of the woman herself and her baby. What do you need to know about changes in body weight during pregnancy, and how to correctly calculate optimal weight gain?

What are the dangers of being underweight or overweight during pregnancy?

The average weight gain during pregnancy is from 9 to 14 kg. Of course, this value cannot be applied to each specific case, since the exact figure depends on many factors, but a sharp deviation from it in one direction or the other should alert the expectant mother.

  • Underweight often occurs in pregnant women in the first months, that is, during the period when they suffer from toxicosis. If the loss is not accompanied by severe vomiting (after every meal), the baby is most likely out of danger.

Low weight carries the greatest risk in the second and third trimesters, when the fetus is in great need of nutrients and their lack can lead to a lack of body weight in the newborn, various developmental pathologies and psychological problems. In this case, the woman’s level of important hormones may drop, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

  • Excess weight is also not only an aesthetic problem for pregnancy, since the entire burden falls on the health of the mother. Often it provokes the development of gestosis - a dangerous condition called late toxicosis. Preeclampsia poses a direct threat to the child’s health, as it can cause other troubles. Read more about gestosis

Excess weight is even more dangerous when it occurs not due to overeating, but due to edema- usually in such cases the increase occurs in a short period of time (more than a kilogram per week). This may be the first symptom of dropsy - excess accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body, the main cause of which is a disorder of the kidneys.

It is categorically not recommended to solve such problems on your own, therefore, if a pregnant woman experiences a sharp increase in body weight, she should immediately consult a doctor.

And in order to notice a threatening condition in time and take action, the expectant mother must know what the optimal weight gain during pregnancy should be in her case.

Why do pregnant women gain weight?

Contrary to popular belief, pregnant women gain excess weight not only due to the weight of the growing baby and the fat layer - they make up about half of the total figure. Over the course of nine months, a woman’s uterus, blood volume and intercellular fluid increase, amniotic fluid and placenta are formed, and the mammary glands begin to actively grow.

These changes are necessary for the proper growth and development of the baby, that is, they should be monitored not only by the gynecologist, but also by the woman herself.

What determines weight gain during pregnancy?

To calculate the acceptable weight gain for a woman, her initial weight should be taken into account, that is, BMI (body mass index), which is calculated using a special formula: body weight in kilograms/height in meters squared. The resulting result allows you to evaluate how close a woman’s weight is to normal: if the figure falls in the range of 19.8-26, the weight is normal, less than 19 is insufficient, more than 26 is excessive, and a BMI above 30 indicates obesity.

  • Thin, fragile women (the so-called asthenic type) should gain 13-18 kg during pregnancy;
  • For women with a normal build and weight, the permissible increase is 11-16 kg;
  • Obese and overweight ladies normally gain from 7 to 11 kg;
  • In case of obesity, the doctor prescribes a special diet for the expectant mother, and her weight gain should not exceed 6 kg.

In addition, it is very important to take into account the gestational age of the fetus by week, since during each week certain changes occur in the body of the woman and the fetus that affect the overall weight.

Weight by week of pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy occurs unevenly over the weeks - at the very beginning it is almost unnoticeable, increases significantly in the middle and decreases again closer to childbirth.

The second trimester, when the baby begins to grow and develop especially actively, a woman should be especially careful, as weight gain takes on its initial significance. The numbers are distributed as follows: about 500 g per week for thin women, no more than 450 g for pregnant women of normal weight, and no more than 300 g for overweight women.

In the third trimester, pregnant women gain less weight, and this process is natural, as their body prepares for the birth of the baby.

It is very important to ensure that body weight does not decrease too sharply, as this may indicate pathologies in the development of pregnancy.

What are the dangers of slow weight gain?

Slow weight gain is a relative concept for pregnant women, since in the first trimester it may not only not gain, but also decrease.

Some expectant mothers gain the first kilograms only after the 14th week - this usually concerns petite women who do not have a genetic predisposition to be overweight or women suffering from toxicosis. In the first case, weight gains slowly throughout the entire nine months, which should not cause concern if the pregnant woman is feeling normal. If we talk about women suffering from toxicosis, then by the second trimester the malaise usually disappears, body weight returns to normal and weight gain takes its course.

If a pregnant woman fasts, follows a strict diet, or simply eats poorly, then her risk of miscarriage or premature birth increases significantly.

In such a situation, a woman needs to give up restrictions and bring her diet back to normal. You need to eat small portions several times a day, between meals, snack on cheese, nuts or dried fruits, and you can add a little butter or sour cream to your food.

Read about nutrition rules during pregnancy

What are the dangers of rapid weight gain?

Rapid weight gain is typical for multiple pregnancies, women with underweight and too young mothers whose bodies are still developing.

In other cases, it is the result of normal overeating and requires adjustments to the diet. Excess weight does not pose a direct threat to the life of a child, but it can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia and excess body weight in the baby, which can lead to complications during childbirth and even cesarean section.

If weight gains too quickly, a woman is advised to consult a nutritionist and give up quickly digestible carbohydrates (sweets, baked goods, pasta) and include fruits, vegetables, cereals and dairy products in her menu.

The situation is much more dangerous if excess weight is a consequence of edema. In order to identify the problem in time and receive medical help, the expectant mother should have a table of weight gain during pregnancy and accurate scales at hand - an increase of more than 1 kg per week is a serious cause for concern.

Read about how to avoid gaining excess weight during pregnancy.

Is weight loss during pregnancy dangerous?

In the first trimester of pregnancy, weight loss is quite possible due to toxicosis, in the second this situation is usually associated with various diseases and stress, and in the third trimester, a loss of 1-2 kg is a harbinger of an early birth.

In any case, weight gain during pregnancy is a purely individual matter, so it is very important for the expectant mother to monitor her well-being and the quality of food she eats.

If weight goes away quickly and sharply (especially in the first and second trimester), you should immediately inform your doctor about this, as this can be a serious threat to the health and even the life of the baby.

Diet during pregnancy

Diets, strict nutrition systems and fasting days (especially the so-called “hungry days”) during the period of bearing a child are strictly prohibited, even if the pregnant woman is overweight.

It is very important to ensure that the baby receives all the nutrients, vitamins and microelements, so the expectant mother should not starve - she just needs to balance her diet accordingly, and if necessary, get advice from a specialist.

Norms of weight gain and fetal growth

Increases in height and weight of a child are no less important parameters than the body weight of the expectant mother. They begin to measure it from about the 8th week, since it is simply impossible to do this earlier.

The baby's body weight and height increase unevenly - at first the fetus grows rapidly, and starting from the 14-15th week the process slows down slightly. This is due to the fact that the child’s main task during this period is to develop new skills (blinking, moving his arms, etc.), and not to gain weight and height. At the beginning of the third trimester, the baby's weight gain accelerates again, and by the date of birth his body weight reaches 2.5 to 3.5 kg.

The weight and height of a child are individual parameters and depend on many factors, primarily gender and genetic predisposition, but there are average figures that are considered to be the norm.

In addition, an ultrasound examination necessarily measures such indicators as:

  • BPR - biparietal head size (the distance between the outer surface of the lower contour and the inner surface of the lower);
  • DB - thigh length;
  • AB - abdominal circumference;
  • DHA - chest diameter.

These indicators should increase in proportion to the duration of pregnancy, and together with height and weight, they are very important parameters that can tell about the presence or absence of any pathologies.

Any lag or advance is a reason for consultation with a doctor, but in no case a reason for panic, because every little person is an individual who may have his own characteristics.

Many women are concerned about whether they will be able to regain their normal weight after giving birth. In addition, the expectant mother is simultaneously concerned about another problem: is her baby getting enough nutrients in her tummy?

Maintaining a balance between the intake of food into the body and its expenditure for various needs, and primarily to meet the needs of the developing fetus, is one of the most important tasks during the entire period of pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to have an idea of ​​the norms when carrying a baby and to control your diet.

Norms of weight gain

Weight gain during the 9-month period of bearing a baby depends on many factors: the woman’s body weight before pregnancy (overweight women are recommended to gain a little less than overly slim women), metabolic characteristics, presence or absence, and other reasons.

information Before the baby is born, the expectant mother usually gains from 7 to 16 kg - such an increase in body weight is within the normal range. Weight gain can reach 20-22 kg.

Body mass index

When calculating individual weight gain rates, you need to know your body mass index, to determine which it is necessary to divide body weight by height in meters squared. For example, if a woman’s weight before pregnancy was 58 kg and her height was 165 cm (i.e. 1.65 m), then body mass index (BMI) = 58 / (1.65 x 1.65) = 21.3 .

important A normal body mass index is between 19.8 and 26. A lower figure indicates underweight or exhaustion, a high one indicates the presence of excess fat tissue in the body or obesity.

Depending on the value of body mass index before pregnancy, calculated weight gain norms by week:

  • in (-) a woman usually gains no more than 0.5 kg per month and gains about 2 kg over the specified period;
  • in (-) her body weight increases by 6-7 kg compared to the initial weight;
  • in (-) the rate of increase in body weight slows down, and throughout pregnancy, women with a high BMI usually gain from 7 to 12 kg, with an average BMI - from 12 to 14 kg, with a low index - from 14 to 17 kg.

Reasons for deviations

During pregnancy, there may be either very low weight gain, which is caused by insufficient intake of nutrients from, strong, some diseases or influences, or too intense weight gain.

Pathological weight gain in a pregnant woman can occur in the following cases:

  • excess caloric intake of the diet: excessive consumption of bakery and confectionery products, fatty meats and other products;
  • hypothyroidism, in which metabolism slows down as a result of insufficient hormone production;
  • fluid retention in the body due to impaired kidney function, which leads to the formation.

Normalization of weight gain

If you notice too rapid weight gain during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend the following measures to normalize this indicator:

  • Selection of a balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of the fetus, but limits the consumption of high-calorie foods.
  • Undergoing a comprehensive medical examination to determine the cause of excessive weight gain and choose a treatment method. Can be prescribed: general and to determine the level of thyroid hormones; and other organs.
  • Compliance with the recommended physical activity regime: regular walks in the fresh air, doing feasible housework.

Dangers

dangerous Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can be dangerous for both the expectant mother and her baby.

The negative impact of this factor is as follows:

  • adhere to the principle of moderation in nutrition;
  • lead enough;
  • promptly correct identified metabolic disorders (thyroid activity, kidney function, etc.).

Conclusion

Maintaining a normal level of weight gain while carrying a child is not so difficult; it is enough to organize regular diets, reduce the amount of sweets in the diet, undergo the necessary examinations and pay attention to possible alarming symptoms in a timely manner. Excessive weight gain can lead to a number of health problems not only for the expectant mother, but also for the baby, so it is necessary to take care of the health of the future family member from the very first days of pregnancy.

Weight is an eternal problem for women. They very scrupulously monitor the arrows of the scales; some are actively losing weight, while others, on the contrary, cannot cope with painful thinness. But one day the time comes when doctors begin to actively monitor your weight. And not at all in order to turn a woman into a beauty, but to monitor the state of her health and the health of her unborn baby. In this case we are talking about pregnancy.

Weighing for pregnant women becomes as necessary a procedure as, in fact, brushing your teeth in the morning. A pregnant woman is weighed by a doctor at every examination; she herself must monitor her weight: step on the scale every morning, on an empty stomach, and preferably in the same clothes.

In the first two months of pregnancy, a woman’s weight does not gain momentum. This is the stage when the woman’s body and the baby’s body “get used” to each other. In addition, toxicosis often occurs, which contributes to weight loss rather than weight gain. The approximate weight gain is about one or two kilograms.

A pregnant woman begins to grow and expand already in the second or third trimester. On average, the scales each week stop at indicators that are 250-300 g higher than the previous ones.

Normally, during the entire nine months of pregnancy, a woman should gain 10-12 kg. According to doctors, from the thirtieth week, the weight of the expectant mother begins to increase by 50 grams per day. For 300-400 g - per week. And no more than 2 kg per month.

A gynecologist will most likely use it to determine acceptable weight gain. In addition, he also observes the scale of weight gain in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

As a rule, doctors think something like this: no more than 22 grams for every 10 cm of height weekly. That is, if a pregnant woman is 160 cm tall, then normally she can gain 352 g in weight. And if she is 180 cm, then 400 g.

But each case is deeply individual, so all these indicators, although ideal, are quite conditional. How much a pregnant woman “gains” is influenced, first of all, by her age: the older she is, the more prone she is to becoming overweight. Of course, a pregnant woman’s weight also depends on whether she is inclined to be overweight or thin according to the constitution of her body. Of course, the weight you had before pregnancy is also important. By the way, the less she weighed before, the more she can weigh during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that before pregnancy the body could experience a “deficit” in the kilograms it needed. In addition, weight loss cannot but have an effect - the body will try to replenish it. And, of course, if it’s more than 4 kilograms, then the expectant mother has every right to gain a lot of weight.

Again, in “ideal” cases, the gained kilograms of a pregnant woman (the norm is 10-12 kilograms) are distributed as follows: the baby weighs about 3300 g, the uterus and amniotic fluid - 900 g each, the placenta - 400 g, the increase in circulating blood volume - 1200 g, mammary glands - 500 g, adipose tissue - 2200 g, tissue fluid - 2700 g.

This is how these 12 kilograms are formed. It is worth noting that this is the weight that is very easy to lose after childbirth - by eating wisely and properly and doing special gymnastics.

To calculate how many kilograms you can afford during pregnancy, you don’t have to go to the doctor. Try to calculate your norm yourself. All you need to know for this is your height and initial weight. Together they become the BMI index. Calculate your BMI: BMI = weight (kg) / [height (m)]².

According to the results of women with BMI< 19,8 - худощавого телосложения. Если

BMI = 19.8 - 26.0, then these are women of average build, and if BMI > 26, then this is already a category of obese women.

Especially for- Maria Dulina

Pregnancy progresses differently. For some, everything is fine and all 9 months are not overshadowed by anything. Many suffer from toxicosis, back or head pain, some have swelling or constipation. Weight is also individual and should gradually increase throughout pregnancy. Newborns differ little from each other in this indicator. But their mothers can gain different amounts of kilograms during the period of carrying them, some do not gain weight at all or even lose weight. Let's try to figure out why this happens.

Weight gain: normal

There is a misconception that weight gain is only for the fetus. Gaining extra pounds is necessary for the proper course of pregnancy, and is also necessary for a newborn.

Weight distribution:

  • Fetus. By the time of birth, the baby's weight is 2.5-4 kg. Of the total weight gain - this is 25-30%.
  • Placenta. This organ provides communication between mother and child, delivers oxygen and nutrition, and takes away waste products. Its weight is 400-600 grams, which is 5% of the total weight.
  • Amniotic fluid is the liquid medium in which the fetus lives. Its weight is 1-1.5 liters by the 37th week, closer to childbirth - 800 ml. This is 10% of the total weight.
  • The uterus is where the fetus develops. At delivery, she weighs 1 kg, which is 10% of the total weight.
  • Freely circulating blood - 1.5 kg.
  • The intercellular fluid weighs 1.5-2 kg, which is 25% of the total mass.
  • Development of glandular tissue in the chest - 0.5 kg.
  • Fat deposits that ensure breastfeeding after childbirth are 3-4 kg, which is 25-30% of the total weight.

The total is 10-15 kg.

Weight gain tracking

Weight needs to be controlled. From the first day of pregnancy, a woman must constantly weigh herself and record the results in a notebook. This needs to be done weekly. Weighing rules:

Weight during pregnancy: rate of increase

  • some gain weight immediately after conception, while others begin to gain extra pounds after 20 weeks.
  • Typically, pregnancy proceeds with an increase in weight by 40% in the first half and 60% in the second.
  • During the first trimester, weight increases weekly by 0.2 kg. But for some, it is during this period that toxicosis occurs, so their weight becomes even less than before pregnancy.
  • Within three months from the beginning of conception, a pregnant woman gains approximately 2-3 kg.
  • Starting from the fourth month, a woman develops an appetite, her general condition improves, and intensive weight gain occurs. Over the course of a week, a pregnant woman gains approximately 300-400 grams.
  • In the third trimester, weight gain stops, in some cases due to hormonal changes that are associated with preparing the body for childbirth and removing unnecessary water.

Indicators affecting weight

There is no norm for weight gain during pregnancy. The optimal gain depends on the woman’s body weight before pregnancy: the less, the more you can gain. Therefore, often in overweight women, pregnancy becomes noticeable only in the later stages, while for thin women it is almost impossible to hide their interesting position.

You can determine your initial weight by calculating your body mass index. It is obtained from pre-pregnancy height and weight data. The formula for obtaining BMI looks like this: body weight (in kg) divided by height (in meters), which must be squared. For example, a woman’s weight before pregnancy is 50 kg, and her height is 160 cm, that is, 1.6 m. We multiply 1.6 by 1.6 to get 2.56, then divide 50 by 2.56 to get 19.5 BMI.

Optimal weight gain during pregnancy based on BMI

If the BMI is less than 18.5, then the body weight is below normal. Normal - from 18.5 to 25, overweight is considered when the BMI is from 25 to 30, obese - from 30 and above. So, now let's calculate how many kg should you gain during pregnancy, body mass index will help us with this:

  • During a singleton pregnancy, if the weight was below normal, then the pregnant woman needs to gain from 12.5 to 18 kg. With a normal constitution, you should gain 10-15 kg during pregnancy. If you are overweight, you can gain 7-11 kg, if you are obese - no more than 6 kg.
  • If the pregnancy is multiple. A lack of BMI indicates that you need to gain 19-27 kg during pregnancy, with a normal BMI - 17-25 kg, with overweight - 14-23 kg, with obesity - 11-19 kg.

What are the risks of being overweight?

During pregnancy, it is considered optimal smooth gain of kg, without jumps, which fits into the indicators. Its deficiency, as well as its excess, has a detrimental effect on the health of the mother and fetus. Inadequate nutrition with insufficient body weight threatens malnutrition of the newborn and leads to various types of delays in fetal development.

If a child is born weighing less than 2.5 kg, then he is at risk of physical pathologies and mental disorders. Lack of nutrition in a pregnant woman is fraught with hormonal imbalances and an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Not only the lack of weight gain, but even the emerging trend should be alarming. This is a reason to urgently consult a doctor.

Excess weight should also cause concern and cause a review of the diet:

  • At any stage, the increase per week is more than 2 kg,
  • During the first trimester more than 4 kg,
  • During the second trimester more than 1.5 kg every month,
  • In a week, more than 800 g in the third.

Important! Excessive increase threatens: increased blood pressure, development of diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, late toxicosis, osteochondrosis, premature aging of the placenta, fetal hypoxia, complications during childbirth.

The biggest danger of excess weight during pregnancy is edema, which is not only obvious, but also hidden. In this case, the extra pounds are not associated with overeating, the reason is a malfunction of the excretory system, which, unable to cope with the load, refuses to remove fluid as needed and it accumulates in organs and tissues. Edema leads to late pregnancy toxicosis and threatens kidney hydronephrosis, which causes an increase in protein in the urine.

Obvious swelling is noticeable to the eye:

  • after taking off socks there is a visible mark on my feet,
  • the ring cannot be removed from the finger,
  • the face becomes puffy,
  • urination is rare.

These symptoms indicate swelling, which should be seen by a doctor. If the swelling is hidden, you may not know about it, so even if you feel excellent, you should not neglect routine examinations performed by your doctor.

How to stop weight gain:

With the consent of your doctor, take a safe prebiotic, for example, Lactulose-Normaze, Portalac syrup, Goodluck, Romphalac, Lactulose Stada, Duphalac and others. They are approved for use at different stages of pregnancy.

To prevent constipation, give up useless, easily digestible carbohydrates that can only cause harm. These are: baked goods, sweets, sweet dishes, confectionery. These foods are most likely to contribute to weight gain. Various puff and shortbread cookies, buns, cakes, rolls, pastries, ice cream and others. If you have already gained extra pounds, give them up completely.

These products are loaded with harmful food additives and oils: coconut, rapeseed and palm. They load the digestive system, contribute to obesity, and, according to the results of scientific research, lead to oncology.

How to gain missing weight

If you are underweight, listen to the following tips:

  • Eat 5 or 6 meals a day without overloading your stomach.
  • In case of severe toxicosis, complete refusal of food will only bring harm. Therefore, wait out the attack of nausea and eat at least a small piece. Try moving food to fresh air or to bed, where the symptoms of toxicosis are less pronounced.
  • Carry with you everywhere: nuts, bananas, cheese, yoghurts, dried fruits, biscuits.
  • Eat peanut butter for energy and protein. For allergies, prohibited.
  • Season dishes with olive oil, sour cream, cream, butter, avoid mayonnaise.
  • Don't neglect dairy products, drink enough fluids.

How to prevent gaining extra pounds?

No diets are suitable for pregnant women. Avoiding fast food, flour and confectionery products, salty, smoked and spicy foods that cause thirst and force you to take in excess liquid will help you keep your weight at the same level or lose it.

Make the menu like this:

Take your last meal at 19:00. After dinner, a quiet walk in the fresh air is shown. As for liquid, give preference to clean water. Doctors recommend drinking 1.5 liters per day. Divide them into three parts, drink the first two before 16 hours, the rest should be consumed before 20 hours. This ratio will help avoid edema, and the kidneys will be relieved at night.

A balanced diet, a proper daily routine, with room for rest and activity, will help keep the body in order, without gaining extra pounds.