In this article you will learn the following
First things first: every woman is different and unique. And so it is with weight gain during pregnancy.
It is not possible to say in general how much weight every woman has to gain and when it is too much or too little.
This article is about how much weight you should gain during pregnancy and how these extra kilos change distributed in the body, and what risks can arise from being overweight or underweight.
How much weight gain is “normal”?
Women increase weight during pregnancy woman varies greatly and also depends on the initial weight.
The fact is that every woman has to gain weight during her pregnancy.
Of course, this increase is not constant. Women usually gain very little weight in the first trimester of pregnancy. Some women even lose some weight because of the initial loss of appetite or nausea. However, this is usually not a problem.
From the second trimester, when the hormonal balance has stabilized and everything has settled down, a “normal” weight gain should be between 1.5 and 2 kilos per month, so that at the end of the pregnancy there are between 12-14 extra kilos on the scales .
In order to document your weight progress, you will also be weighed at your gynecologist appointments.
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How are the extra pounds distributed on my body?
Most of the time, not that much happens on the scales in the first trimester. In the fourth month you will probably weigh about 2-3 kilos more. The embryo grows very slowly and your body adjusts to the upcoming time.
You should gain a little more weight from the second trimester.
At the end of the pregnancy you will see a approximate weight distribution as follows:
- your baby weighs around 3500 grams
- your uterus about 1 kilogram
- the placenta 750 grams
- your amniotic fluid about 1.3 kilograms
- your breasts about 600 grams
- your Blood volume 1.15 kilograms
- Additional tissue fluid around 2 kilograms
- Depot fat with around 1700 grams.
This results in around 12 kilograms of weight gain of the pregnancy as a whole.
However, this should only be seen as an approximate guideline. Every woman is different and unique. Many also gain significantly more weight and are still healthy and fit.
In addition, how many extra kilos are healthy for you and your baby also depends heavily on your starting weight. You can stick to the body mass index (BMI) and use these values as a rough guide:
| BMI | classification | optimal weight gain |
| below 18, 5 | Underweight | 12 to 18 kg |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal weight< /td> | 11 to 15 kg |
| 25 – 29.9 | Overweight | 6 to 11 kg |
| over 30 | obesity |
5 to 9 kg |
If you're worried or you see big fluctuations in weight, it's best to talk to your doctor about it.
Risks of being overweight and underweight
Many women have concerns when it comes to weight gain. “How can I get rid of the pounds quickly” or “Oh dear, I mustn't gain a lot of weight” are understandable thoughts during pregnancy.
Some women even start a real diet during pregnancy. This is of course the wrong way and unhealthy for the mother-to-be and the baby.
If there is a suspicion of underweight even before pregnancy, it is best to discuss directly with your gynecologist what you should pay attention to in your diet. In special cases, you can also arrange an appointment with a nutritionist. If the baby does not get enough important nutrients and vitamins, it can lead to underdevelopment or premature births.
Another risk is overweight. Here you should try to avoid sweets, fast food and “unhealthy snacks”. The increased weight threatens increased blood pressure on the one hand and the risk of so-called gestational diabetes on the other.
Conclusion on weight gain during pregnancy
Gaining weight is a tricky subject.
And it is not easy for everyone to regain the usual weight after pregnancy Getting back in shape and feeling good in her body.
But the fact is that if you eat a mostly healthy and balanced diet and keep yourself physically fit through exercise and sport, you will do so during and after pregnancy much easier to stay fit and in shape. Of course, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't treat yourself during your pregnancy.
On the contrary, you should ultimately enjoy it.
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