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How much weight does a pregnant woman gain. How much weight can you gain during pregnancy, how much is considered the norm? General characteristics of the weight gain process

Weight gain during pregnancy is an actual problem of modern obstetrics. The average body mass index of women of all ages is increasing, many of them are obese before pregnancy, which leads to threats to the health of the expectant mother and child. Also, many women become pregnant later in life, already suffering from diseases such as hypertension or diabetes, which increase the risk of complications. Therefore, weight control of pregnant women is an important component of the birth of a healthy child.

Since the 1970s of the last century, the answer to the question of how many kilograms can be gained while carrying a child has sounded differently. Before that, it was believed that a normal increase was a maximum of 9 kg. Since the 1970s, this figure has been increased to 11 kg. However, in recent years, given that women with a large increase in body weight give birth to healthy children, these recommendations required revision.

In 2009, a new table of weight gain during pregnancy was developed in the United States based on WHO data. It takes into account the body weight of a woman before conception.

The norm of weight gain in the 1st trimester is 0.5-2 kg.

It is likely that women who are overweight according to these new guidelines will exceed normal gains. Therefore, they need to provide appropriate assistance even in the early stages of the gestational period. Recommendations may include both a balanced diet and an increase in physical activity in the early stages. It is also necessary to monitor the appearance of edema.

Normal weight gain

The weight gain calendar is individual. Someone is gaining kilograms at the beginning of bearing a child, someone - only in the third trimester.

However, there are average values that doctors are guided by.

Average body weight gain by week:

in the 2nd trimester, 300 grams per week;
starting from the 7th month - 400 grams per week (about 50 grams per day).

A low rate of weight gain is recorded with the addition of less than 270 grams per week, too high - more than 520 grams.

To monitor body weight, you need to weigh yourself correctly. It is best to do this in the morning after going to the toilet in the same clothes that do not tighten the body. In addition, weighing is necessarily carried out in the antenatal clinic. Both a pathological increase and its delay can be a sign of trouble.

Thus, the data on weight gain for a woman with a starting body weight of 65 kg might look like this:

at week 15: (+ 2 kg) 67 kg;
at week 20: (+ 1.5 kg) 68.5 kg;
at week 25: (+ 1.5 kg) 70 kg;
at week 30: (+ 2 kg) 72 kg;
at 35 weeks: (+ 2 kg) 74 kg;
before childbirth: (+ 2 kg) 76 kg.

For the entire time of bearing a child, the total increase will be 11 kg, that is, within the normal range. In some cases, at 36-38 weeks, the weight decreases slightly, by about 200-300 grams, this is normal. However, sharp fluctuations in body weight over long periods are dangerous and indicate trouble in the body.

The total change in weight by month of pregnancy for a woman with normal body weight:

Special groups of women

The weight gain schedule may look different for women in special groups.

short women

Height less than 157 cm is considered short. Studies have found that this increases the risk of caesarean section. However, this did not increase the likelihood of having a too small or large fetus, and postpartum weight recovery occurred in the same way as in women of higher stature. Therefore, for low patients, all indicators of normal increase do not change.

Teenagers and young women

If the body mass index (BMI) in women younger than 20 years is normal for older patients, their increase should also be normal. If there is a low initial weight and high growth, it is permissible to add more than 18 kg during pregnancy.

multiple pregnancy

with an initial normal weight - 17-25 kg;
with excess BMI - 14-23 kg;
with obesity - 11-19 kg.

Why does a natural increase in body weight occur during gestation?

During gestation, hormonal changes occur in the body, aimed at protecting the fetus from any adverse factors. Basically, they consist in the accumulation of fat reserves in the maternal body. Adipose tissue not only serves as a good shock absorber for the growing fetus, but also is a source of energy, and later - lactation.

Conditions for enhancing fat synthesis:

high concentrations of estrogen and progesterone in the blood;
physiological decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin;
increased levels of insulin in the blood;
increase in the synthesis of adrenal hormones - cortisol and androgens.

All these changes are aimed at increasing fat deposits in the 1-2 trimesters and mobilizing it at the end of pregnancy.

What is the weight of a pregnant woman?

By the end of the gestational period, it increases due to:

child's weight (3.5 kg);
placenta (1 kg);
increase in the volume of interstitial fluid (2 kg);
uterus (1 kg);
mass of mammary glands (1 kg);
increase in blood volume (2 kg);
reserves in the maternal body of fats and proteins (3.5 kg);
amniotic fluid (1 kg).

In total, the usual increase is about 15 kg. After childbirth, a woman quickly loses up to 10 kg, the rest of the kilograms go away gradually. It is recommended that the process be slow, no more than 4 kg per month. Most breastfeeding women quickly return to their original state.

How to avoid gaining weight during pregnancy?

The basis is proper nutrition. A balanced diet, devoid of too sweet and fatty foods, will help you gain the weight needed to fully supply the developing fetus with the necessary substances.

Causes of pathological weight gain

Possible factors for which there is a large increase in weight:

too low weight (very thin women usually quickly gain weight, ahead of normal indicators, in which case it is better to determine the “normal pre-pregnancy weight” using the formula “height (in cm) minus 100”, and calculate the increase based on its value);
high body weight and obesity;
high growth;
large fruit;
edema, including the development of preeclampsia;
increased appetite under the influence of high concentrations of estrogen at the beginning of pregnancy;
age over 35 years.

What to do with extra kilos?

The daily calorie requirement for a pregnant woman of normal weight with low physical activity (less than 30 minutes of exercise per week) is:

in the 1st trimester 1800 kcal;
in the 2nd trimester 2200 kcal;
in the 3rd trimester 2400 kcal.

This calorie content must be achieved by eating cereals, dairy products, animal and vegetable proteins, vegetables, vegetable oils. Refined foods, sugar, and saturated fats (mainly animals) should be limited.

Losing excess weight during pregnancy is difficult and in some cases not possible. However, you can slow down weight gain if you follow these recommendations:

Use low-fat dishes - chicken breast, herbs, tomatoes, baked potatoes. Avoid french fries, nuggets, fatty cheese.
Avoid fatty dairy products. It is necessary to consume at least 4 servings of milk per day, however, it should be skimmed or 1-2% fat milk or yogurt.
Limit sweets and sugary drinks, give preference to water, plain or mineral, with or without gas.
Do not add salt while cooking.
Limit high-calorie foods - confectionery, sweets, honey, chips. Replace them with fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt.
Reduce the amount of butter, mayonnaise, sour cream consumed.
Refuse to fry foods in oil, instead eat boiled or baked dishes.
Walk or swim regularly, unless your doctor has advised you not to exercise.

What can you eat to avoid excess gain:

bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, other cereals, whole grains are better (for example, brown rice and cereals) - these products should make up a third of the daily diet;
fruits and vegetables, up to 5 servings per day - this is another third of the products for the day;
meat (but not liver), fish, eggs and legumes;
skimmed milk, yogurt, low-fat cheese;
limiting fluid intake even with the appearance of latent edema is not recommended, it is advisable to drink as much as you want.

Cut food into very small pieces.
There is a dessert fork, and after each piece, put it on a plate and put your hands on your knees.
Chew food thoroughly.
After eating half the serving, take a break for 3 minutes.
Do not read or watch TV while eating.
Dine no later than 19 hours.
Go grocery shopping after meals.
Do not try the dishes during their preparation, do not finish the leftover food after the children.
Walk or stand for half an hour after eating.
Don't go to bed during the day.

Do not use the elevator.
Do not reach 1 stop before the desired one.
While talking on the phone and even watching TV, do not sit, but stand.
Do not use the TV remote control, but press the necessary buttons manually.
Take longer walks on weekends.
Do yoga or swim at least once a week or more.

Rapid weight gain may be a sign of hidden swelling. In this case, it is necessary, in addition to body weight, to control the amount of fluid drunk and excreted per day. If a woman takes in more fluid than she passes urine, the weight reading will increase rapidly. In such cases, obstetricians often prescribe treatment in a day hospital.

Insufficient weight gain

Risk factors for undernutrition in pregnancy:

both types of diabetes;
previous birth of a child with a defect in the nervous system;
past gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or polyhydramnios;
phenylketonuria, leucinuria;
resection of the stomach or intestines, bariatric surgery;
cystic fibrosis, colitis, Crohn's disease;
obesity or underweight;
smoking, drinking alcohol or drugs.

Patients from this group should carefully monitor their weight, trying to prevent a small increase during gestation.

Too slow weight gain or even weight loss can be due to such reasons:

Nausea and vomiting

Weight loss occurs even with moderate toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy. Its symptoms occur at 6-12 weeks, after which the lost kilograms return.

Diet

Proper nutrition is important during pregnancy. A special calorie-restricted diet is not recommended. However, women with initial obesity, switching to healthier foods, can lose several kilograms from the “previous stocks”.

pregnancy symptoms

Some of the symptoms associated with early pregnancy can affect eating habits. It can be an aversion to certain smells, tastes, or textures of foods. At the same time, heartburn and constipation occur, which forces a woman to eat less and, accordingly, lose weight.

Toxicosis

With severe nausea and vomiting, electrolytes and nutrients are removed from the body, and this condition can persist beyond the 12th week. Appropriate treatment is needed, including dietary changes, rest, and antacid medication. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized for intravenous fluids.

Miscarriage and missed pregnancy

These pathological conditions usually occur closer to the 13th week. Weight loss is one of the first signs. Then pain in the lower back, pinkish discharge from the genital tract, turning into bleeding, begin to bother. Additional signs of pregnancy disappear, for example, taste preferences. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If you are not gaining weight during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend the following measures:

There are small portions up to 6 times a day.
Always have snacks on hand - nuts, raisins, cheese, crackers, dried fruits, yogurt.
Add milk to mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, porridge.
Introduce additional foods into the diet - butter, cheese, sour cream.

Consequences of deviations

In case of insufficient or excessive increase, you must follow all the recommendations of the doctor, since these conditions can cause severe pathological processes.

malformations of the nervous system and brain of the fetus;
intrauterine infection of the fetus;
spontaneous;
fetoplacental insufficiency;
premature birth;
pyelonephritis and diabetes in pregnant women;
heavy ;
delayed fetal development;
macrosomia (large fruit).

Undersupplementation is less common and less well understood, but there is strong evidence that children born later are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders and schizophrenia. Perhaps this is due to malnutrition of nerve cells during brain formation.

Other possible consequences of not gaining enough weight include:

premature birth;
low weight of the fetus;
the need for additional medical care for a newborn child, nursing him in a hospital.

Features of pregnancy management

In patients with inadequate weight gain, more careful medical supervision is necessary. It includes:

The use of micronized progesterone before the 16th week to prevent miscarriage.
Treatment of hypertension (magnesium sulfate, calcium antagonists, etc.).
Treatment of placental insufficiency.
Control of blood sugar levels, and at 24 weeks - a glucose tolerance test (for obesity).
Urinalysis to detect asymptomatic pyelonephritis.
In obese patients, delivery at 38 weeks is recommended.

Both malnutrition and overeating during pregnancy are equally harmful both for the intrauterine development of the baby and for the condition of the expectant mother. The issue of optimal, doctor-recommended weight gain worries everyone in this position - and rightly so. It is imperative to keep track of the kilograms arriving every day, avoiding both extremes - both their lack and excess.

To calculate the correct weight gain for expectant mothers, you need to know your body mass index, since all calculations will be made from it. To do this, you need to square your height (for example, 1.75 m x 1.75 m). And then divide your weight in kilograms by the resulting result of growth squared. And after that, draw conclusions:

BMI< 18,5 считается недостаточным весом;
BMI = 18.5–25 is normal;
BMI = 25–30 is already overweight;
with a BMI > 30 indicates obesity.

These figures should be constantly in front of the eyes of a pregnant woman so that she can control herself daily on the scales. If this table will bring tangible benefits in the last stages of pregnancy, then throughout the entire bearing of the baby, you can use a specially compiled weekly weight gain schedule during pregnancy. This will allow you to distribute the increase in kilograms competently and in portions.

week of pregnancy	Underweight	normal weight	Overweight

It should be borne in mind that these figures for each individual woman will be purely individual. Where are all those kilograms that a pregnant woman gains spent?

Causes of weight gain during pregnancy

All the kilograms gained during pregnancy are spent by the body very rationally. Why does he need so much?

child 3 kg;
uterus 1 kg;
500 g;
amniotic fluid 1 kg;
additional blood 1.5 l;
chest 500 g;
water 2 kg;
fat deposits in reserve 4 kg.

The indicators are quite approximate and individual, but they show why weight gain occurs and where all these gained kilograms go. The reasons for values that are out of the normal range can be edema or an improper, unbalanced diet. In such cases, doctors usually recommend reducing the amount of water and food.

Deviations from the norm

What to do if you are not able to gain weight during pregnancy within the above schedule? First, you should regularly consult with your doctor about this pregnancy. And secondly, take only those actions that he tells you.

1. Rapid weight gain during pregnancy

A sharp weight gain will complicate the course of pregnancy in that it will be too difficult to carry your own body, when a week ago the weight was practically not felt, and today it has already turned into a significant figure, even if not exceeding the norm. This can become an extra burden for various organs - the stomach, bladder, heart. But they already have to work almost for two. Can they handle it? If you feel that you are starting to gain weight dramatically, you do not need to go on a diet. After all, the cause of this phenomenon can be the usual edema for pregnancy.

2. Extra weight gain during pregnancy

It will be much worse for those who are gaining excess weight, significantly going beyond the schedule. Excessively gained kilograms will not allow the internal organs (and, above all, the kidneys) to function normally. In such cases, as a rule, fluid retention occurs in the body, which leads to. All these processes will negatively affect both the formation and development of the baby at any stage of pregnancy. In this case, it is already worth thinking about some kind of diet and balancing nutrition, but again only with the permission of a doctor.

3. Small weight gain during pregnancy

If the indicators given in the table cannot be caught up in any way, this is also fraught with consequences not only for health, but also for the life of the baby. Mom in this case will not be able to provide him with good nutrition and all the vitamins and minerals he needs. This will affect the formation of various vital systems, which can lead to premature termination of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, there are sometimes special cases when weight gain is calculated purely individually.

Special cases

Doctors refer to such cases as multiple pregnancy.

With multiple pregnancies, you should try to squeeze into the frame from 16 to 21 kg. You cannot allow one of your babies to starve inside the womb and receive less of the substances he needs.

2. Weight gain during the second pregnancy

May be 2-3 kg ahead of schedule data. This is normal, so don't worry.

Given all these nuances, you can quickly navigate the optimal numbers and no longer worry about it, tracking your diet and its quantity. Compliance with the norm will help to endure a healthy baby, avoid complications during childbirth and maintain your own health.

The period of pregnancy is a happy time for a woman, but a very difficult period for her body. To provide a child with good nutrition, the load on all body systems increases. Therefore, it is very important to control the course of gestation, starting from 10-12 weeks.

One of the important indicators of the normal course of pregnancy is weight gain. After conception, the placenta, the fetal bladder with fluid and the embryo itself are formed in the uterus. Within 10 months, the fetus grows along with the placenta, which leads to an increase in the woman's body weight, and this is the norm. Consider how much a woman can recover during pregnancy.

Why does weight increase during pregnancy

Weight gain during gestation is an important condition for the successful development of the baby. Doctors identify a number of physiological factors that provoke an increase in a woman's body weight:

Fetal growth. During gestation, the baby gains weight, respectively, the mother's body weight also increases.
placenta growth. The placenta or baby's place is an organ that provides a link between mother and baby, it grows with the fetus.
Increase in the volume and mass of the uterus. Before pregnancy, the uterus is very small and weighs only 50 grams. But as the baby grows, it stretches, and its weight increases 10 times.
Filling the uterus with amniotic fluid. As you know, the embryo is in the amniotic fluid, the amount of which increases with the growth of the child.
Increasing the volume of circulating fluid in a woman's body. Since it is necessary to provide food for the child and remove more waste products, urine and blood become more.
Breast enlargement. The breast of a pregnant woman is preparing for feeding, she swells, the glands begin to produce colostrum.
Formation of a fatty layer. This is how the woman's body takes care of the child, ensuring that in case of hunger, he will have enough nutrients for normal growth and development.

The weight of a pregnant woman normally increases along with the size of the abdomen. Therefore, in the first trimester, there is usually no increase, and in the presence of toxicosis, a woman can even lose 3-5 kg, depending on the severity of this phenomenon.

In the 2-3 trimesters, when the main organs of the fetus are already formed and it begins to grow actively, the woman gains weight. How exactly the increase will occur depends on the body of a particular woman. Factors that affect weight during pregnancy:

Body weight before gestation. The more a woman weighs, the more there is an increase during pregnancy. During the period of bearing a baby, it is very difficult to reconsider your lifestyle completely and start eating in a completely different way.
The amount of weight lost in the first weeks. The more a woman loses, the more and faster she will gain, as the body will try to compensate for the lost body fat. Therefore, you should not rush into all serious and overeat after the disappearance of nausea.
Age. The older a pregnant woman is, the more likely she is to put on a lot of extra pounds. The fact is that with age, metabolic processes are worse, and the likelihood of complications increases. In women after 35 years, a pathological course of gestation is more often observed.
Wrong attitude to food. Overeating is the most common cause of overweight during pregnancy, as many women start eating for two without limiting themselves to anything.

In most cases, a pathological increase can be avoided if you control your diet, lead a healthy lifestyle and regularly be examined in the antenatal clinic.

Weekly weight gain

What should be the weight of a woman at the end of pregnancy can be calculated approximately, based on the reasons for its increase. So, the child himself before birth will weigh from 3 to 4 kg on average. The uterus weighs 400-500 g, and another 1,000-1,300 g of amniotic fluid. The body of a pregnant woman will definitely store fat and water, the weight of which is from 3 to 4 kg. Thus, normally a woman gains 9-15 kg. If a multiple pregnancy is expected, then the increase is 15-20 kg.

The calculation of normal weight gain by week is carried out separately for each woman, since the result will depend on individual indicators. First of all, you need to find out the body mass index. To do this, you need to take your weight before pregnancy in kilograms, divide it by the square of height in meters. For example, if a woman's weight is 55 kg and her height is 1.68 m, then the BMI will be: 55 / (1.68 * 1.68) = 19.4.

Weekly weight gain rates in the table:

week of pregnancy	Increase in BMI<19.8	Gain at BMI 19.8 -26.0	Gain at BMI>26.0
2	500 gr	500 gr	500 gr
4	900 gr	700 gr	500 gr
6	1.5 kg	1 kg	600 gr
8	1.7 kg	1.2 kg	700 gr
10	1.9 kg	1.3 kg	800 gr
12	2 kg	1.5 kg	900 gr
14	2.6 kg	1.9 kg	1 kg
16	3.2 kg	2.3 kg	1.4 kg
18	4.5 kg	3.6 kg	2.3 kg
20	5.4 kg	4.8 kg	2.9 kg
22	6.8 kg	5.7 kg	3.4 kg
24	7.7 kg	6.4 kg	3.9 kg
26	8.6 kg	7.7 kg	5 kg
28	9.8 kg	8.2 kg	5.4 kg
30	10.3 kg	9.1 kg	5.9 kg
32	11.3 kg	10 kg	6.4 kg
34	12.5 kg	10.9 kg	7.3 kg
36	13.6 kg	11.8 kg	7.9 kg
38	14.5 kg	12.7 kg	8.5 kg
40	15 kg	13.5 kg	9 kg

Thus, the more weight a woman has during pregnancy, the less intensively she should gain weight while carrying a baby. This is due to the fact that there is already sufficient fat for the normal development of the fetus, so there is no need to accumulate excess fat.

Women with a lack of fat mass, on the contrary, need to gain weight, introduce nutritious and high-calorie foods into the diet. This is necessary so that the child gains sufficient weight before childbirth and is well formed and strong.

Causes and complications of being overweight

Every pregnant woman after registration in gynecology is recommended to come to the appointment regularly, at least 1 time in 2 weeks. During the examination, the doctor assesses the appearance of the patient, listens to complaints, if any, and also without fail weighs and records the results.

According to the norms, a pregnant woman should increase weight gradually. In the second trimester, the weight grows by 200 g per week, and in the third by 500-600 g. If there is too rapid weight growth, for example, by 2 kg per week, then complications can be suspected.

Excess weight during pregnancy can indicate such violations:

obesity on the background of overeating;
fluid retention in kidney disease.

Both of these conditions increase the likelihood of preeclampsia and the development of complications during childbirth. So, obesity and a large excess lead to a problem during labor. It often becomes difficult for a woman with huge excess weight to bear a child in the last weeks, she moves little, which causes constipation and other difficulties.

It is important to note here that we are talking about the extra weight that appeared during the period of bearing a child, since it is a sharp set that becomes a lot of stress for the body.

The greatest danger is created by a condition in which weight gain is observed against the background of kidney pathology. The fact is that during pregnancy, the load on the urinary system increases significantly. Due to the increased volume of fluid in the body, the kidneys work with a vengeance, filtering a huge amount of fluid.

If a woman is completely healthy, then no violations will occur. But if there are pathological changes in the kidneys, they will no longer cope with their work. As a result, the fluid will begin to accumulate in the tissues of the body, causing internal and external edema.

And the toxins that the kidneys did not have time to remove will begin to poison the body, provoking a deterioration in the condition of the woman, an increase in blood pressure. All this leads to preeclampsia, preeclampsia and emergency caesarean section.

It is because of the development of such pathologies that doctors closely monitor weight gain. And even if a woman does not have swelling outwardly, this does not at all mean that the kidneys are doing their job. Fluid can accumulate in the inner layers, and outwardly the woman will look quite healthy until severe complications occur.

Causes and consequences of underweight

Overweight is a more formidable complication than underweight, but poor gain can also have negative consequences. The most common cause of poor weight gain is the initial underweight of the patient. So, if a woman was very thin before giving birth, she ate little, then during pregnancy, most likely nothing will change.

It is important to note that the lack of body weight of a woman during pregnancy planning also creates some problems. In thin women, anovulatory cycles, irregular menstruation, and endometrial hypoplasia are more common. All this significantly reduces the likelihood of successful conception, normal implantation and development of the embryo.

Also, the cause of a poor set can be severe toxicosis. In some cases, nausea and vomiting haunt a woman for all 40 weeks, which is a fairly serious violation.

Problems with weight gain are also observed in women who do not monitor their diet. In the modern rhythm of life, girls often eat at random and anywhere. During pregnancy, you need to take this issue responsibly. It is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions, the diet should contain a lot of vegetables and fruits, dairy products, meat and fish.

The consequences of poor nutrition are always negative, both for the mother and for the baby. First of all, the body of the woman herself suffers greatly, because she gives all the available substances to the developing fetus. For example, if a baby asks for calcium to form his bones, the mother's body will find it by any means, but teeth, nails, bones will suffer, they will become brittle and thin.

In the absence of certain elements, the child will also begin to suffer. Against the background of starvation of the mother, the baby may develop malformations, and such children are often born with insufficient body weight, that is, they weigh less than 3 kg. Unfortunately, small babies are much more susceptible to infections, have a weakened immune system, and develop worse in the first months of life. Of course, this does not always happen, but the risks are quite high.

To avoid pathological weight gain or its lack, it is necessary to correctly relate to the planning and gestation period, control your condition and be regularly examined in the antenatal clinic.

During the planning period, it is easiest to adjust your weight to avoid difficulties in the future. If a woman is obese, it is better to review your diet and go in for sports. If you manage to reduce the fat mass, then it will be much easier to carry a pregnancy.

Underweight women need to start eating rationally. This does not mean that you can eat everything in a row, just to gain weight. To normalize the functioning of the reproductive system, it is enough to eat a balanced diet. To do this, it is advisable to calculate KBZhU, according to age and physical activity, and stick to the plan.

During pregnancy, strict diets are prohibited, even if there is a pathological increase. On the recommendation of a gynecologist, a fasting day can be carried out once a week, the rest of the time the food should be balanced. Women are advised to eat:

cereals;
vegetables;
fruit;
berries;
nuts, honey;
eggs;
meat and fish;
dairy.

From the diet it is better to exclude all food with dyes, preservatives, too salty and spicy, sweet. This restriction especially applies to women with kidney pathologies, since junk food leads to the fact that urine begins to irritate the organs of the urinary system and provoke inflammatory processes.

Important during pregnancy and drinking regimen. Both excess fluid and its lack can lead to the formation of edema. Therefore, a woman should drink at least 2 liters per day of pure water without gas.

An increase in the amount of the subcutaneous fat layer of the expectant mother is an essential condition for the successful and full development of the baby throughout the entire embryonic period. Typically, younger pregnant women gain less weight than older women. But bearing, for example, twins or even triplets will significantly increase the weight of mothers of any age period. In each of these cases, a pregnant woman in one way or another observes changes in her body weight, which is not always the norm.

To determine the weight indicators of a pregnant woman, you need to get used to properly organized weighing:

It is recommended to measure body weight once a week, you should try to get to the same time period before breakfast, which increases the accuracy of further calculations and dynamic evaluation of the results.
Weighing is done after emptying the bladder and large intestine.
The same scales are used.
Each time, it is best for a woman to weigh herself in clothes specially allocated for this (with the subsequent deduction of her weight) or without it at all.
To facilitate calculations and track the level of body weight, it is better to record the results in a special notebook.

The above tips are appropriate only if a pregnant woman is weighed at home with her own scales. But if the expectant mother undergoes this procedure only at the appointment with the leading obstetrician-gynecologist, it is worth visiting it at approximately the same hours, and immediately before getting up on the scales, empty the bladder again.

Body mass index table

When evaluating the results of the obtained body weight values, all specialists and trained pregnant women use body mass index calculation. This technique allows not only to simplify all calculations, but also to identify overweight or underweight with the same ease. To calculate the body mass index, special calculators have been created. They include the following values:

weight before pregnancy (in kg);
height (in cm);
the presence or absence of twins;

date of the beginning of the last menstruation;
weight at a given weighing (in kg).

In this way, the increase in body weight produced for a certain period of time from the beginning of pregnancy is calculated.

In the case we are considering, weight consists not only of the mass of all organs and biological fluids of a person, but also body fat stores. In addition to the usual formation of a certain amount of subcutaneous fatty tissue, in the body of the expectant mother, growth of a new organism, which has a constantly increasing from week to week of its intrauterine development.

Do not forget that in order to ensure the normal development of the fetus the uterus grows in size, there is the formation of female milk in the mammary glands, the placenta is born and grows, constantly present amniotic fluid, membranes of the fetus and the umbilical cord, which also contributes to the level of body weight.

Factors affecting weight gain during pregnancy

The presence and severity of the fetus affects the body weight during gestation, because with it there is an active loss of fluid through frequent vomiting, which leads to dehydration and weight loss.
Such pathological variants of the course of pregnancy, as well as the presence of a pronounced edematous syndrome, contribute to weight gain.
gestation two or even three fruits at the same time provides a more pronounced increase in body weight than with a singleton pregnancy.
, the mode and amount of fluid absorbed during pregnancy has a strong effect on a woman's metabolism, which indicates a direct effect of these factors on the formation of a fatty layer, the growth of the placenta, uterus, the fetus itself and the formation of milk.

Normal weight gain during pregnancy

The rate of weight gain during pregnancy by week

How much weight gain during pregnancy? In women with the usual normal physique and the correct build, the increase in body weight for the entire period of bearing the baby, according to the obtained dynamic data for assessing the mass index, including the child, should be 10-15 kg. For cases with reduced weight, the level of increase from 12 to 18 kg is considered normal, with obesity of the 1st degree - from 6 to 10 kg, with obesity of the 2nd degree - from 4 to 9 kg.

If a woman is waiting big addition to the family, then the scale of the norm of weight gain during pregnancy is slightly different from the scale indicated above. For normal body weight, the values of the increase are from 15 to 25 kg, for obesity of the 1st degree - from 14 to 24 kg, for obesity of the 2nd degree - from 10 to 19 kg.

Thus, the thinner the pregnant woman, the more weight she can gain when carrying a baby. On the contrary, ladies with an excess of weight are prone to smaller gains.

Weekly weight gain during pregnancy: table

Weekly weight gain chart during pregnancy

For the convenience of evaluating the results and analyzing the weight gain of a pregnant woman, experts developed indicators weekly weight gain during pregnancy.

They are still dependent on the type of constitution of the mother and her personal body mass index, but most importantly, they reflect in detail the weight gain for each stage of pregnancy. This greatly facilitates not only the work of leading obstetricians and gynecologists, but also the understanding of their pregnancy by the expectant mother herself.

The change in the weight of a pregnant woman in any of the cases depends on the characteristics of her metabolism, the nature of nutrition and the needs of the fetus, which only confirms the individuality of these weight parameters.

For women of normal body weight:

1-17 weeks - an increase of 2.35 kg;
17-23 weeks - an increase of 1.55 kg;
23-27 weeks - an increase of 1.95 kg;
27-31 weeks - an increase of 2.11 kg
31-35 weeks - an increase of 2.11 kg;
35-40 weeks - an increase of 1.25 kg;
for the entire period - an increase of 11-15 kg.

For women with grade 1 obesity:

1-17 weeks - an increase of 2.25 kg;
17-23 weeks - an increase of 1.23 kg;
23-27 weeks - an increase of 1.85 kg;
27-31 weeks - an increase of 1.55 kg
31-35 weeks - an increase of 1.55 kg;
for the entire period - an increase of 7-11 kg.

For underweight women:

1-17 weeks - an increase of 3.25 kg;
17-23 weeks - an increase of 1.77 kg;
23-27 weeks - an increase of 2.1 kg;

35-40 weeks - an increase of 1.75;
for the entire period - an increase of 12-19 kg.

When carrying a multiple pregnancy:

1-17 weeks - an increase of 4.55 kg;
17-23 weeks - an increase of 2.6 kg;
23-27 weeks - an increase of 3 kg;
27-31 weeks - an increase of 2.35 kg
31-35 weeks - an increase of 2.35 kg;
35-40 weeks - an increase of 1.55 kg;
for the entire period - an increase of 15-20 kg.

weight loss during pregnancy

Weight loss in pregnant women should be considered by trimester of pregnancy.

In the first trimester weight loss is most often an obvious sign of early-formed toxicosis, in which the pregnant woman loses kilograms due to dehydration and the woman's frequent refusal to eat a full meal.
For the second and third trimesters the reasons for weight loss are very similar and are expressed in the malnutrition of a pregnant woman (most often due to the fear of gaining extra pounds, which is an absolutely unjustified and dangerous desire for the unborn baby) or the presence of somatic pathology of any organs or systems.

In any case, a woman should be sure to consult with the gynecologist leading her pregnancy.

Large weight gain during pregnancy is far from safe. The reasons for its occurrence can be considered due to the weakening of the excretion of fluid from the body, the aforementioned high-water pregnancy and the presence of hypothyroidism with a reduced release of thyroid hormones into the blood.

In the event that the gynecologist detects the presence of such a large weight gain during pregnancy, untimely and irrational assistance to them can lead to the development of preeclampsia in pregnant women, and the Rh conflict between the baby and the woman.

Of course, these causes are pathological for both the mother and the fetus. But physiological reasons (for example, the mother’s great age and a genetic predisposition to be overweight) are no less dangerous in this regard.

Adequate treatment pathological weight gain during pregnancy is:

without high-calorie foods;
in limiting water intake;
in the most complete laboratory, instrumental and hardware examination of a woman;
in regular walks and reasonable home physical activity of the expectant mother.
in the introduction of fasting days.

This type of therapy and prevention of overweight in a pregnant woman is recommended for no more than once or twice a week.

Fasting day is eating products of the same kind and water in an amount of about 1 liter. The expectant mother can experiment and independently decide on the menu for fasting days, however, it is still worth discussing your plans with a leading gynecologist.

Examples of unloading days:

Vegetable(zucchini or pumpkin with a small amount of sour cream).
Apple(a kilogram of fresh apples or baked for 6 meals).
Fruit(using the same apples, but all the fruits at the request of the mother and the recommendations of the doctor).

Video about weight gain during pregnancy

For a more complete understanding of the topic weight gain during pregnancy you can watch a video that popularly highlights the causes of increased body weight, rules and recommendations for weighing and calculating mass indices, as well as normal values of weight gain during each week of the fetal embryonic period.

A general discussion will only help you fully understand the pregnancy weight gain schedule, so feel free to ask and share your own experiences with other people. Your reasoning will help not only you, but also girls and women planning a pregnancy, which is important for their moral preparation for pregnancy.

Watch the video "Important facts about weight gain during pregnancy"

You are pregnant, which means that you must gain weight. The good news is that for once in your life, those few extra pounds are nothing to worry about. In fact, this is a healthy and necessary part of the process. But what kind of weight gain is considered normal during pregnancy? How much is too much weight gain or too little? What determines how much you add? We will try to answer all your questions that may arise on this topic.

How much weight can you gain during pregnancy, how much is considered the norm?

This question worries every woman. Obviously, during pregnancy, weight should increase significantly. However, this does not mean that you should "eat for two". Some, on the contrary, restrict themselves in food, because they are afraid of a big weight gain. These two extremes are unacceptable. Lack of necessary elements and lack of body weight can lead to numerous problems during pregnancy, difficult childbirth or the birth of small and weak children. Overeating and being overweight are also very unhealthy. Keep your weight within normal limits, then pregnancy and childbirth will be easy.

What weight gain during pregnancy is considered normal?

Normal weight gain during pregnancy is 7-16 kg. If a woman is fragile, her weight gain can be up to 12 kg, if large - about 17 kg. Women who are pregnant with twins add 14 to 22 kg, which is the norm.

Weight gain during pregnancy depends on several factors. One of them is your pre-pregnancy weight. Underweight women often gain more during pregnancy, overweight women less.

What causes weight gain during pregnancy?

In the first months of pregnancy, a woman must accumulate a layer of adipose tissue in order to prepare for milk production and breastfeeding. This fat reserve remains after childbirth. It usually disappears within a few months if the woman is breastfeeding and exercising. Weight goes not only to adipose tissue. More than half of the weight goes to the placenta, amniotic fluid and the baby. Let's calculate how the 11-13 kg gained during pregnancy are distributed on average:

fruit - 3400 g;
placenta - 650 g;
amniotic fluid - 800 g;
uterus (increases in size during pregnancy) - 970 g;
mammary glands (increase in size during pregnancy) - 405 g;
increase in blood volume by 1450 g;
increase in extracellular fluid - 1480 g;
body fat - 2345 g.

Total: = 11.5 kg

Weight gain in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine if your pre-pregnancy weight was overweight, low, or normal for your height.

Body Mass Index = weight in kg / height in meters^2

Example: your height is 1.70 m, your weight is 60 kg, your BMI= 60/(1.7*1.7)=20.7

The rate of weight gain during pregnancy:

If your pre-pregnancy BMI was less than 20, it means you were underweight before pregnancy. The recommended weight gain for you is 13-16 kg.

If the BMI before pregnancy is between 20-27, then this corresponds to normal weight. In this case, it is recommended to gain 10-14 kg during pregnancy.

If your pre-pregnancy BMI is greater than 27, you are overweight. If more than 29 - you are obese, but this does not mean that you should starve during pregnancy, trying to lose weight. Trying to lose weight during pregnancy can adversely affect the development of the baby in utero. Therefore, even if a woman is overweight, she still needs to gain weight during pregnancy, usually around 7 kg.

The rate of weight gain during pregnancy by week

week of pregnancy	BMI<20 (итоговое значение в кг)	BMI = 20-26 (final value in kg)	BMI >26 (final value in kg)
2	500	500	500
4	900	680	500
6	1350	1000	590
8	1590	1180	680
10	1810	1270	770
12	1990	1500	900
14	2700	1860	1000
16	3170	2265	1360
18	4530	3620	2256
20	5440	4760	2850
22	6795	5660	3400
24	7700	6400	3900
26	8600	7700	4983
28	9740	8154	5440
30	10200	9000	5900
32	11330	9970	6390
34	12460	10870	7250
36	13600	11780	7880
38	14500	12680	8600
40	15200	13600	9060

Weight gain in each trimester of pregnancy

The average weight gain in the first trimester of pregnancy is 1.5-2 kg. It is worth noting that at this stage, weight loss is also possible. (Most often, toxemia is the culprit. If you notice weight loss in yourself, consult your gynecologist.)

In the second trimester, you will gain up to 6-7 kg.

During the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy - 0.5 kg per week.

In the 9th month of pregnancy, you will lose 0.5 kg per week - so the total gain in the third trimester is 4-5 kg.

When you needto consult a doctor about weight gain during pregnancy?

If your weight is within the normal range and there are no sharp jumps up and down - everything is OK! You should consult your doctor if:

your weight is significantly different from the norm;
you do not gain or lose weight in the first trimester of pregnancy. Especially if you have lost weight suddenly and in a short period of time and all this is accompanied by poor health;
you gain more than 1.5 kg per week in the second trimester;
you gain more than 1 kg per week in the third trimester;
You do not gain weight for two weeks in the second or third trimester.

Important! These figures are not absolute indicators and strict rules to evaluate the increase in body weight during pregnancy. Only a doctor can determine what is normal for you.

Weight gain during pregnancy questions and answers

Nutrition during pregnancy. How much more should I eat?

During pregnancy, the number of calories consumed should be increased. In the first three months of pregnancy, you need an additional 100 calories per day. In the next six months of pregnancy, your energy requirement rises to 300 calories per day in addition to your usual daily calorie intake.

How to lose weight after childbirth? Will it be easier to get back to my normal weight if I put on fewer pounds during my pregnancy?

No. Recent studies have shown that the percentage of women who manage to regain their original weight does not depend on the weight they gained. Obviously, women who breastfeed their babies lose the weight they gained during pregnancy more easily and quickly.

What determines the size of the abdomen during pregnancy?

The size of the abdomen and the height of the fundus of the uterus (the length between the pubic bone and the top of the uterus) depends on the gestational age. The size of the abdomen also depends on the individual characteristics of the woman. Sometimes anatomical structure matters: petite women with a narrow pelvis are more likely to stick out their stomachs compared to tall women with curvy hips. The size of your belly also depends on your total weight during pregnancy.

Weight gain during pregnancy. Why am I gaining weight too fast?

Sometimes rapid weight gain means you are eating too much. However, moderation in food does not guarantee normal weight gain during pregnancy. In some women, too much fluid accumulates in the body - for example, due to poorly functioning kidneys. Therefore, if a pregnant woman is gaining weight too quickly, she should compare the amount of fluid she drinks and the amount of urination per day. In healthy women, more fluid will pass out than is consumed. Fluid retention in the body leads to weight gain. Not only external, but also internal organs swell.

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