Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 29 September 2022

Preg weight gain Living a healthy lifestyle can boost your baby's health and help you control weight gain throughout pregnancy. Additionally, choosing healthy foods during pregnancy can make it simpler to lose excess weight after giving birth. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the weight you gain during pregnancy has an impact on both the short- and long-term health of both you and your unborn child. Learn about the recommended weight gain during pregnancy and the actions you can take to achieve your weight gain objective. Depending on their pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index, a pregnant individual has to achieve the required weight increase targets (BMI). Health issues may result from gaining weight less or more than is advised.

According to Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito of Medical News Today, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), pre-pregnancy weight, twin or multiple pregnancies, stage of pregnancy, or trimester, the overall health of the fetus, and BMI measures a person's body fat based on weight and height, are just a few of the variables that affect pregnancy weight gain. The following are basic recommendations from the CDC regarding pregnancy weight increase for a woman carrying a single kid, despite the fact that there is no uniform method to it:

Underweight (BMI less than 18.5): 28–40 lbs.
Normal, or moderate, weight (BMI 18.5–24.9): 25–35 lbs.
Overweight (BMI 25–29.9): 15–25 lbs.
Obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30): 11–20 lbs.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) provides the following basic recommendations for women carrying a single fetus and having a moderate prenatal BMI:

First trimester: A person does not need extra calories during the first trimester. They may gain no weight to only about 1–5 pounds (lb) during the first trimester.
Second trimester: A person needs an extra 340 calories per day during the second trimester. They may gain about 0.5–1 lb per week.
Third trimester: A person needs an extra 450 calories per day during the third trimester. They may gain about 0.5–1 lb per week.

According to ACOG, a woman carrying multiples needs an additional 300 calories for each fetus. Therefore, a woman carrying twins needs an additional 600 calories per day. A patient should consult their doctor if they have triplets or more. Is it okay to lose weight when expecting? It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy, according to Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito, in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy and promote the fetus' development and growth. Therefore, even if a pregnant woman is overweight, doctors do not advise that she diet or lose weight. A pregnant woman's doctor could advise weight loss if she is really overweight. But they should only do this with their doctor's approval and supervision.

A pregnant woman and their unborn child may be harmed by gaining too much weight. Pregnancy-related issues such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, pregnancy-related hypertension, cesarean delivery, early labor, extended labor, and stillbirth may be more likely to occur in a person. The birth of a baby that is larger than typical is referred to as macrosomia. Additionally, they have a higher risk of later-life health issues like obesity and heart disease. Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito recommends that a person can stay healthy during pregnancy if she consumes a healthy, balanced diet, exercises regularly—walking and swimming are two examples of safe and effective prenatal exercises—drinks plenty of water, takes the necessary supplements, and frequently visits a doctor who will keep an eye on her weight and general pregnancy health.

The expected weight gain differs from person to person and is influenced by a number of variables, including pre-pregnancy weight. To reach their pregnancy weight gain goal and maintain overall pregnancy health, a person should work closely with their healthcare provider. In order to avoid pregnancy-related issues brought on by gaining too much or too little weight, it is imperative to do this.

ZDN DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND

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