What should be the normal weight during pregnancy? What should be the weight gain during pregnancy? Pregnant weight calculator by week

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%.

Weight gain during pregnancy is of great importance: women want to remain attractive and slim, and doctors monitor it because of the risk of complications and the development of pathologies. Intrauterine growth of the fetus is inevitably accompanied by weight gain, but it should not deviate significantly from the norm. This can be dangerous for both the woman and the child.

Why are these standards important for pregnancy?

According to recommendations for pregnant women of the American Institute of Health (used widely throughout the world), weight gain during pregnancy depends on the woman’s initial weight. To do this, you need to know your weight and height and calculate your body mass index (BMI). It is equal to the ratio of weight (kg) to height squared (m²). If a woman weighs 50 kg and is 1.60 m tall, then her BMI is: 50/(1.6)*2=19.5.

Allowable increase based on BMI:

  • up to 19.5 kg/m² – from 12.5 to 18 kg;
  • 19.8 – 26 kg/m² – from 11.5 to 16 kg;
  • 26 – 29 kg/m² (excess body weight) – it is recommended to gain a maximum of 11.5 kg;
  • 29 kg/m² or more (severe obesity) – no more than 6 kg.

It is necessary to adhere to the norm, since intensive recruitment can complicate the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the future life of the child. BMI is not calculated during pregnancy, as the indicator will be unreliable.

Causes of weight gain

During pregnancy, a woman gains weight not only because of the appearance and development of the child inside her, but also because of the changes that occur in her body's metabolism.

What causes physiological weight gain in a woman:

  • fetal weight – from 2.5 to 4 kg, increases gradually throughout the entire period, but active growth begins from 26 weeks;
  • uterus – reaches a weight of up to 1 kg;
  • placenta (due to which the fetus lives and feeds) – 600 – 650 g;
  • volume of amniotic fluid (necessary for intrauterine life) – 900 g;
  • fetal membranes (amnion, smooth chorion, part of the decidua) and umbilical cord - on average 300 g;
  • breasts – increases by 0.5 kg;
  • the volume of circulating blood through the vessels increases by 1 - 1.2 liters.

Due to the presence of physiological compensatory mechanisms, under the influence of hormones, a woman’s body prepares for childbirth, and therefore stores fluid. No more than 2400 g accumulates in adipose tissue, another 2500 - 2700 - in other types of tissues of organs and systems. If we sum up all the above factors, about 13 kg are added during 9 months of bearing a child. Scales for pregnant women are of particular value; they help control weight.

Marked weight gain may indicate the development of pathologies and disorders of lipid, protein, carbohydrate metabolism and water-salt balance. Often a sharp weight gain occurs due to edema, which is a sign of early or late gestosis (toxicosis).

Weight gain during pregnancy by week

Over 40 weeks, body weight is gained unevenly. It grows fastest at 2/3 (14 – 27 weeks). This is due to the fact that the metabolism of the expectant mother changes greatly. The placenta matures, intensive production of hormones begins, the volume of circulating blood changes, and the rate of deposition of “fat reserves” changes. The child has already formed the anlages of all organs, after which they begin to grow rapidly.

At the beginning and towards the end of pregnancy, weight gain is not so intense, because in the first 12 weeks the formation of internal organs occurs. In the later stages of pregnancy, functional maturation occurs and the fetus prepares for life outside the mother’s body (growth slows down).

Baby weight table by week of pregnancy

Table: Fetal weight gain in utero by week

Gestation period, week Weight of the unborn child, g
4 0,5
6 0,7
8 1
10 4
12 14
14 43
16 100
18 190
20 300
22 430
24 600
26 760
28 1000
30 1300
32 1700
34 2150
36 2600
38 3100
40 3400

Deviations from the indicated values ​​in a newborn within 800 g are considered conditionally normal. That is, a child 2600 - 4200 g is full-term, mature.

Normal mother's weight gain during pregnancy by week

Table: norms for weight gain during pregnancy by week for a woman

Gestation period, week Gain, g
2 500
4 700
6 1000
8 1200
10 1300
12 1500
14 1900
16 2300
18 3600
20 4800
22 5700
24 6400
26 7700
28 8200
30 9100
32 10000
34 10900
36 11800
38 12700
40 13600

The given values ​​are general for women with a normosthenic body type and a BMI of 21-25.5 kg/m². Weight gain by 21 weeks is a third of the total gain; after this period you need to weigh yourself every 7 days; if you suspect the development of edema, you should do this more often.

For those expecting twins

If a woman carries 2 fetuses at the same time, this entails weight gain. The total mass of the placenta increases, the volume of circulating blood increases, and all physiological aspects of weight gain undergo similar changes. Over the course of 40 weeks, both fetuses should grow synchronously. Their mass should be the same and increase equally over the weeks.

At birth, the weight of each of the twins is 500 - 800 g less than at the birth of one child.

Norms of weight gain for a woman based on BMI:

  • from 18.5 to 24.9 – mother can gain from 17 to 25 kg;
  • 25 – 29.9 – increase is limited to 14 – 23 kg;
  • more than 30 – you can only add 11 – 19 kg.

How to calculate pregnancy weight by week

To do this, you need to know your initial weight (at the time of conception) and gestational age.

In the first 13 weeks, the increase should not be significant (5 - 10% of the total value). The second trimester is the most active in terms of weight growth. Up to 400 g per week (up to 45% of total weight gain). From the 26th week of pregnancy (in the 3rd trimester), weight gain slows down, and in each month you can gain no more than 1 kg, up to only 25% of the total value.

How to calculate a baby's weight during pregnancy

You can calculate the body weight of the fetus in later stages using the Jordania formula. To do this, you need to measure the circumference of the abdomen at the level of the navel, determine the height of the fundus of the uterus (the distance from the xiphoid process to the womb) and multiply the 2 resulting numbers. An interesting fact is that the height of the uterine fundus corresponds to the gestational age in weeks.

Calculation in 3 steps:

  • abdominal circumference (AC) = 93 cm;
  • the height of the uterus (HH) is 30 cm (that is, a period of 30 weeks);
  • the estimated weight of the fetus is equal to OL * VDM = 93 * 30 = 2790 g.

Yakubova's formula is also applicable. You need to add the numbers for the abdominal circumference and the height of the uterus, then divide by 4 and multiply by 100.

  • The patient's waist circumference is 93 cm;
  • height of the uterine fundus – 30 cm;
  • the estimated weight of the fetus is (93+30)/4*100=3075 g.

There are errors in calculations of this kind, so the most accurate and correct answer to the question about the child’s parameters can be obtained from the results of an ultrasound scan.

Losing weight during pregnancy

In addition to weight gain, there may be a decrease in body weight during pregnancy. In the first trimester, a woman often experiences severe stress. While she doesn't know she's pregnant, she's worried about her period being late. Toxicosis develops at 8–9 weeks. In this case, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are observed. As a result, the pregnant woman loses a little weight.

In the 2nd trimester, pregnancy is relatively calm; for most, this period begins at 18 weeks. The woman does not feel any discomfort psycho-emotionally. Physiological processes stabilize, and the fetus begins to actively grow. Stopping weight gain or severe underweight may indicate malnutrition. Weight gain during pregnancy is a physiological process. Excess weight will quickly disappear in the postpartum period, and exhausting diets can lead to malnutrition (underdevelopment) of the fetus.

In the 3rd trimester, a few days before giving birth, a woman’s weight decreases slightly. The main reason for weight gain is edema, not an increase in adipose tissue. Since the hormonal background of the body changes before childbirth, the woman begins to lose excess fluid, urination becomes more frequent, and her weight decreases.

How to avoid gaining extra pounds during pregnancy

Solving the problem of gaining excess weight is not difficult. A woman must understand that the diet should be balanced and simple. Dishes should include natural products: meat, fish, vegetables, cereals, pasta. You can eat steamed food without a lot of oil. It is recommended to consume soups with low-fat broths, cereals, and vegetable salads. You don’t have to limit yourself to bread, but it is advisable to eat yesterday’s bread, not fresh.

You should drink water; homemade compotes, fruit drinks, yoghurts, and milk are useful. The drinking regime during pregnancy is determined by the gynecologist. Normally, a woman should consume no more than 1500 ml of fluid per day, including soups, tea and other drinks. Exceeding this indicator can provoke the appearance of edema. If the weight is added daily and begins to grow rapidly, then you need to consult a doctor. In order to detect pathological weight gain in time, weekly weighing data should be noted on the calendar.

In order not to gain excess weight, during pregnancy it is recommended to give up fast food, large amounts of sweets, alcohol, spicy, fatty foods, highly carbonated drinks, and strong coffee. Ready-made juices in packages are also not recommended, as they contain a large amount of sugar. Daily caloric intake for women is calculated individually, depending on the initial BMI, but not less than 1500 kcal. To comply with consumption standards, you can use a calorie calculator for pregnant women.

Consequences of deviations from the norm

It is necessary to comply with weight gain norms, since strong weight gain has negative consequences, just like pregnancy with obesity. Such women have a high risk of developing arterial hypertension, which may remain after childbirth. High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to complications later in pregnancy. Among them:

  • preeclampsia (edema, hypertension, massive protein excretion in the urine);
  • eclampsia (development of seizures).

Another consequence of excessive gain is a violation of carbohydrate metabolism. For a pregnant woman, this is fraught with the development of gestational diabetes mellitus, mesocenosis (vaginal infection) often appears, and for the fetus - macrosomia (a large fetus weighing more than 4.2 kg) and diabetic fetopathy. This newborn may have neurodevelopmental disorders or other developmental abnormalities. In some cases, there is evidence of pathology in dental deposits and cryptorchidism (undescended testicle into the scrotum) in boys.

Often, women with excess body weight gain are diagnosed with the development of a large fetus and polyhydramnios. This complicates the process of future childbirth. The likelihood of labor disruption increases. There may be the development of a clinically narrow pelvis. This is a condition when the fetus is too large for the existing size of the mother's pelvis. In this case, the question of surgical delivery (caesarean section) will already arise.

How is calculation done using an online calculator?

Calculating mass using an online calculator is simple. To do this, you need to know your weight before pregnancy, height, weight at the time of calculation, body mass index, and period in weeks. You need to enter data into the fields of the fetal weight calculator, and the result will appear on the screen.

  1. Enter your initial data: pre-pregnancy weight, height in centimeters, gestational age in weeks (from 1 to 40).
  2. Click the button "Calculate weight gain".
  3. In the free fields below the button, the parameters calculated from your data will immediately appear: body mass index (BMI), “net” theoretical weight gain, weight taking into account the gain.

A few words about weight

Almost all expectant mothers are in one way or another concerned about the issue of weight gain during pregnancy. Some people are worried about why their belly is so small; for others, on the contrary, their belly seems huge and their entire figure is “elephant-like” (by the way, dissatisfaction with your appearance is one of the main causes of stress during pregnancy). And when you are sitting waiting for an appointment with a gynecologist among the same “pregnant women”, the simplest and most natural conversation starts with the words: “What week? How much is the increase? Do you arrange fasting days?”

Your weight is indeed a fairly indicative criterion for the normal course of pregnancy and subsequent childbirth. An insufficient set can cause disturbances in the development of the fetus, and an excess set can complicate childbirth. Let's figure out how much “theoretically” a woman gains during pregnancy “within the normal range”?

Weight gain by trimester

1st trimester: the weight doesn't change much. Usually the increase is no more than 2 kg in 12-14 weeks.

2nd trimester: weight gain of about 1 kg per month (or up to 0.3 kg per week).

3rd trimester: weekly weight gain of about 400 grams (approximately 50 grams per day).

Weight is added evenly. During the entire pregnancy, a woman gains from 9 to 14 kg (if twins are expected, then from 16 to 21 kg). But these figures are average. Below we list factors that can affect the value on the scale. But first, a few words about weighing.

If you are not interested in the “theory” and want to see a table of weight gain depending on body type and period, then click on.

Weighing

Weigh yourself before breakfast after your morning toilet. Try to ensure that your clothes are always approximately the same (by type, to minimize this error). The obtained values ​​can be written down in a notebook or entered into a special application on a smartphone - this makes it more convenient to track the dynamics.

They are also weighed at a doctor’s appointment in the antenatal clinic (once a month; and 2 times a month after 30 weeks).

What do the gained kilograms consist of?

The bulk of the weight gained is directly the fetus, the child itself. His share is 3-4 kg. Approximately the same amount will be in the resulting fat deposits (the body stores “nutrients”).

Weight of the uterus and amniotic fluid - more +2 kg.

Additional blood volume - plus 1.5-1.7 kg.

Afterbirth - 0.5 kg.

Breast enlargement - 0.5 kg.

Extra fluid - from 1.5 to 2.8 kg.

So even if she gains 14 kg by the end of her term, a pregnant woman does not have to worry about being overweight.

Factors influencing weight gain

  • Initial weight. The less weight a woman had before pregnancy, the faster her weight gain will be. Conversely, “women in shape” increase more slowly.
  • Tendency to corpulence. Women who are prone to obesity can gain 2-3 kg more, even if before pregnancy they kept themselves in shape by playing sports and eating right.
  • Height. It is believed that the taller a woman is, the more kilograms she can gain during pregnancy.
  • Large fruit size. This is a natural indicator. The expectant mother, who is expecting a large baby, gains more than the average weight herself.
  • Dropsy of pregnancy. Edema signals the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the body, which “weights you down.”
  • Toxicosis of the first and gestosis of the third trimester of pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting during these unpleasant conditions can lead to weight loss.
  • Increased appetite. It is directly related to an increase in estrogen levels. You must try to take control of your appetite, otherwise you risk gaining extra pounds.
  • Polyhydramnios. An increase in the amount of amniotic fluid also affects overall weight.
  • Age. In adulthood, a woman is more likely to exceed the weight gain norms set by doctors.

Calculation of increase

Each pregnant woman can independently calculate the weight gain during pregnancy that is acceptable for her body type. First you need to get . It is calculated very easily: you need to divide your weight in kilograms by your height in square meters.

There is a conditional division of women into body types based on body mass index:

Group 1 (BMI up to 19.8)– thin women;
Group 2 (19.8-26)- average build;
Group 3 (from 26)- obese women.

Using your body mass index, you can find the average weight gain during your term using the table:

Week of pregnancy BMI<19.8 BMI = 19.8 – 26 BMI>26.0
Weight gain, kg
2 0.5 0.5 0.5
4 0.9 0.7 0.5
6 1.4 1.0 0.6
8 1.6. 1.2 0.7
10 1.8 1.3 0.8
12 2.0 1.5 0.9
14 2.7 1.9 1.0
16 3.2 2.3 1.4
18 4.5 3.6 2.3
20 5.4 4.8 2.9
22 6.8 5.7 3.4
24 7.7 6.4 3.9
26 8.6 7.7 5.0
28 9.8 8.2 5.4
30 10.2 9.1 5.9
32 11.3 10.0 6.4
34 12.5 10.9 7.3
36 13.6 11.8 7.9
38 14.5 12.7 8.6
40 15.2 13.6 9.1

When calculating acceptable weight gain, you can also use scale of average physiological gain, which is used by doctors starting from the 7th month of pregnancy. Based on the data on this scale, the expectant mother should dial per week about 20 grams for every 10 cm of your height.

Weight of the fetus (child) during pregnancy

Determining the weight of a child during pregnancy is one of the important criteria for diagnosing its development. After all, it is this indicator that helps the doctor understand whether the fetus is developing normally or whether there are any deviations. The weight of the unborn child is determined using ultrasound.

If the baby’s weight is below or above normal, this is a reason to conduct a more detailed study in order to adjust the management of the pregnancy. After all, underweight of the unborn child is a clear sign that the fetus is experiencing a deficiency of nutrition or oxygen. And also, unfortunately, developmental delays or freezing.

If a child's weight during pregnancy is above average, it is also a reason for the expectant mother to undergo a more detailed examination. Most likely, doctors will advise her to adjust her diet.

How does a baby gain weight during pregnancy? At the very beginning, the future baby weighs only 1.5 grams. The uterus increases in size, almost 500 times, and the baby also grows. At first, he gains 10-60 grams per week, and closer to the end of pregnancy - 100-300 grams in the same time.

What are the dangers of being overweight during pregnancy?

Sometimes girls eat for two during pregnancy and, as a result, gain excess weight. Gynecologists unanimously repeat that excess weight is harmful, nutrition should be correct, and foods should be healthy. However, with traditional weighing, the kilograms add up. And this is not at all because the future baby is actively gaining weight. This is the mother’s excess weight, which is unnecessary ballast, which, moreover, is also dangerous. Is it possible to gain weight during pregnancy? And what are the dangers of being overweight during pregnancy?

  • the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases increases;
  • there is a risk of disruption of the functions of the endocrine system;
  • there is a risk of varicose veins;
  • the likelihood of late toxicosis increases.

Excess weight during pregnancy can lead to difficulties during childbirth. For example, you have to have a caesarean section, since natural childbirth with excess body weight is dangerous for the life of mother and baby.

And excess weight during pregnancy is an annoying factor that prevents girls from quickly losing it after the birth of the baby.

How to avoid gaining weight during pregnancy

While expecting a baby, girls “bloom” and look especially beautiful. Therefore, recommendations on how not to gain weight during pregnancy will be relevant. After all, you want to preserve beauty both at the beginning of pregnancy and in its later stages.

In fact, everything is simple - eat healthy foods, do not overindulge in baked goods, maintain water balance in the body, and spend more time in the fresh air. Let's talk about this in more detail...

Pregnant girls actually need more calories. And if previously 2000 kcal was enough for you to feel normal, while expecting a baby this amount will increase to 2800 kcal per day. But the products must be healthy.

As soon as you feel hungry, snack on fruits, yogurt, nuts, and dried fruits. Forget about fast food, sauces, sausages. Neither you nor the child will benefit from them.

An expectant mother should not eat “for two,” even if she is actively persuaded. Eating a cutlet or sandwich by force will not bring any benefit, but it will deposit excess fat.

Walking in the fresh air will help you avoid gaining weight during pregnancy. This is both a charge of life-giving oxygen and physical activity that will help keep the body in good shape.

Normal weight gain during pregnancy by week

The expectant mother learns that there is a norm for weight gain during pregnancy almost at her first visit to the antenatal clinic. And in order for your weight to be normal, it is important to control it.

To determine whether the expectant mother's weight is overweight, low or normal for her height, doctors use a special indicator - body mass index (BMI). And here’s the formula: body mass index = body weight in kg?/? height in meters, squared.

Example for calculation: your height is 1.70 m and your weight is 60 kg. We consider: BMI=60?/?1.7*1.7=20.7.

If the index is less than 18.5, the weight is considered below normal; index 18.5–25 is normal weight; 25-30 – overweight. And if the weight is more than 30 kg, this is already obesity.

When the weight is within normal limits and is gained smoothly, there is no reason to worry. And if the expectant mother has lost weight, stopped gaining weight, or this happens spasmodically, she should consult a doctor.

Pregnancy weight gain chart

Expectant mothers are always wondering where the extra pounds come from during pregnancy? Let's count together:

The result was an average weight gain of 12.5 kg. But since each girl’s pregnancy proceeds individually, the weight indicators will be different. Some have more, some have less.

However, we must remember that excess weight during pregnancy, as well as its deficiency, is something that should be avoided.

Diet during pregnancy for weight loss

The expectant mother's menu should include foods that are healthy for her and the future baby. The amount of energy consumed during pregnancy increases from the traditional 1800-2000 kcal to 2500-2800, so the need for food increases. But you need to eat right, and “not just two people.” After all, it is known that many expectant mothers allow themselves what they limited themselves to in the “pre-pregnancy” state. Hence the extra pounds.

How to eat to avoid gaining weight during pregnancy? Let's count:

  • the need for protein food increases to 100 g per day. And this is approximately 100-150 g of veal or beef, or 150-200 g of fish, 100-150 g of low-fat cottage cheese; 50-70 g cheese. The remaining 40% of protein must be “gained” by eating vegetables, fruits or cereals;
  • the amount of fat during pregnancy is an average of 80 g, of which 30% is vegetable. This is 25-30 g of unrefined vegetable oil per day.
  • The need for carbohydrates during pregnancy increases to 400 g per day. To give them to the body, you need to eat fruit and 50 g of black and white bread every day.

What and how much should the expectant mother eat in order to follow the diet and provide the baby with iron, calcium and magnesium? We tell you: 100 g of meat (iron), 100 g of cheese or 0.5 liters of milk or kefir (calcium), 1 egg, 100 g of wholemeal bread (magnesium).

This approach to menu planning will help organize proper nutrition for excess weight, if the expectant mother has it.

A very important indicator of the normal course of pregnancy is pregnancy weight. Russian standards have established an optimal weight gain of 10 - 15 kg.

These 15 are made up of several parts: an increase in breast weight, blood volume, the weight of the baby's uterus and amniotic fluid, as well as a natural set of adipose tissue. But each organism is unique in its own way.

So, for example, thinner mothers gain more weight, and fatter ones gain less. In order to correctly calculate your weight during pregnancy, our pregnancy weight calculator will help you. Our calculator takes into account your height, weight, and week of pregnancy. And based on this data, it builds a graph of ideal weight during pregnancy. You will be able to see in time the deviations of your current weight from the norm.

Weight during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special period of time in a woman’s life when every kilogram she gains is perceived completely differently than before. During this important period, expectant mothers try to provide their future baby with all the nutrients and microelements they need. However, there is a big risk of overdoing it and gaining more than necessary, which will negatively affect not only the appearance, but also the health of the mother and fetus. But what is considered the norm, and how not to accidentally go “beyond what is permitted”?

Weigh ourselves correctly

Weight during pregnancy must always be monitored. The expectant mother should get into the habit of weighing herself at least once a week. This should become some kind of ritual. It is best to do this in the morning before your first meal, so the readings will be as accurate as possible. It is also important to use just one piece of clothing for weighing and not change it, so that again the data obtained will be correct to the nearest gram. After each weigh-in, it is important to record the result to compare the dynamics of weight gain.

How does body weight gain occur?

Weight gain during pregnancy is an individual process for each woman, so there is no clear data that is the same for everyone. It all depends on a number of physiological characteristics: the build of the expectant mother, her height, tendency to be overweight, metabolism, size of the fetus, etc. However, there are still certain limits that must be adhered to. Most Russian obstetricians and gynecologists agree that total weight gain during pregnancy should not exceed 10-12 kg.

Many expectant mothers are also interested in how weight is gained week by week during pregnancy. Normally, a woman gains from 300 to 400 grams in 7 days in the first half of pregnancy, and 250-300 grams in the second half. If the expectant mother was underweight before conception, she should gain from 12 to 15 kg during pregnancy. Whereas for an overweight woman it will be normal to gain 8-10 kg of weight. And again, all these figures are approximate and are needed only for guidance. By monitoring your weight during pregnancy week by week, you will immediately notice a dangerous trend in changes in body weight.

What are the dangers of being overweight during pregnancy?

First of all, pathological weight gain creates problems when a pregnant woman moves. It becomes increasingly difficult to walk, and you may even experience shortness of breath. Excess weight also negatively affects the birth itself, which for this reason can be complicated. It will be difficult for the expectant mother not only to give birth, but also to get rid of extra pounds after pregnancy. It is worth noting that with a significant increase in body weight, problems may arise not only for the pregnant woman, but also for the fetus.

The side effects of excess weight on the fetus are expressed in chronic oxygen starvation, which slows down its development due to lack of nutrition and can sometimes even provoke intrauterine death. For an expectant mother, excess weight is a signal of an even more terrible threat - it can signal the onset of late toxicosis, which is an unhealthy condition of pregnancy. During it, a large volume of fluid accumulates in the woman’s body, which forms terrible swelling.

With late toxicosis or gestosis, as it is also commonly called, the pressure can jump significantly, and if protein appears in the urine and swelling is observed, then the pregnant woman is most likely diagnosed with neuropathy - kidney damage. In especially severe cases (in the last stages of gestosis), a woman develops signs of damage to the central nervous system, premature labor may begin, placental abruption may occur, as well as convulsions and even a stroke.

Among other things excess weight during pregnancy creates discomfort and causes pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen. Excess body weight makes it difficult for muscles to work. Pain in the back and legs may also appear, blood circulation may be impaired and varicose veins may worsen. As a result, the pregnant woman gets tired much more often and more severely, and because of this she becomes irritable.

How are the added kilograms distributed?

During the entire pregnancy, the expectant mother must accumulate a certain layer of adipose tissue, which she will need to produce milk and further breastfeeding. These reserves remain for some time after childbirth, but then gradually disappear if the woman plays sports and her lactation process is established. However, the increase in body weight does not occur only due to fat. The bulk of the weight falls on the placenta (650 g), uterus (970 g), amniotic fluid (800 ml) and the fetus itself (3400 g), enlarged mammary glands (405 g), blood (1450 ml), extracellular fluid (1480 G). The volume of body fat is usually 2345 g.

Nutrition and weight gain

How correct the weight gain during pregnancy will be largely depends on the pregnant woman herself. Only proper nutrition will help you stay within limits. What should it be like?

  • First of all, you should limit your consumption of foods rich in “empty” calories, which do not provide any benefit.
  • There is also no need to follow the principle of eating “for two”; nutrition should remain the same as before, provided that the menu is balanced and includes all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
  • Meals should be regular and small, since hormonal changes occur in the pregnant woman’s body, due to which blood sugar quickly and strongly decreases and an acute feeling of hunger appears. You should avoid overeating and try to sit at the table at the same hours.
  • In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, the body will require a little more than usual, so you can increase your diet by 200-300 kcal per day, but no more. However, nutrition should be as healthy as possible, with a minimum amount of fats and carbohydrates, which do not take any part in building the fetal body.
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