How Many Pounds Should We Gain During Pregnancy? – Being Parents

Weight is one of the most considered factors during pregnancy, as it can be a sign of pathology. However,  there are no standards regarding the weight limits that a woman can experience during pregnancy. Therefore, the number of pounds that one should gain during pregnancy varies from woman to woman.

The ideal is to avoid any obsession with this subject and to pay close attention to what you eat. Indeed, it could affect your health and that of your baby.

Weight gain during pregnancy

When it comes to pregnancy weight gain, there are a number of arguments and myths to consider. One of them is the state in which the mother was at the time of conception.

In this sense,  pregnancy with extreme thinness or obesity becomes a risk factor. It is therefore important to take into account and monitor what is consumed, so that the health of the child is not affected.

Other factors that condition weight gain are fluid retention and diet control. Here are others as well, such as:

• The baby’s weight.
• The weight of the placenta.
• Amniotic fluid.
• The growth of the uterus.
• Blood flow.
• The weight of breast tissue and fat deposits.

How Many Kilos Should You Take During Pregnancy?

It will depend on every pregnant woman, because every organism and even every pregnancy is never the same. However,  the average established by the experts on this subject varies from 7 to 16 kilos. Some bet on the famous kilo per month, others on a gradual increase by suggesting the following:

• During the first three months:  1.5 to 2 kilos.
• During the second trimester:  between 3 and 5 kilos.
• In the final phase:  a weight gain of about 1.5 kilos per month.

It is also proposed that if the patient is underweight, she can gain up to 16 kilograms. At normal weight, she could gain between 12 and 15 kilograms, while an overweight woman can gain between 6 and 10 kilograms. Finally, in case of obesity, the increase could be between 4 and 8 kilos.

Ideally, weight gain should come from a healthy diet that provides the necessary building blocks for both baby and mom.

What should a pregnant woman’s diet look like?

When you find out about your pregnancy, you need to start eating a healthy and balanced diet. In general, medical nutritionists advise increasing daily intake as follows:

• First trimester:  around 1,800 calories per day.
• During the second trimester:  2200 calories.
• In the third trimester:  about 2,500 to 2,600 calories per day.

This nutrition should be accompanied by daily exercise, depending on the state of pregnancy. It is advisable to gradually increase the diet with mainly dairy products and proteins. This is due to the important function that these nutrients perform for the normal development of the fetus.

“Ideally, the weight gain should come from a healthy diet that provides the necessary elements for the baby and the mother”.

Some tips for monitoring weight gain during pregnancy

In order to avoid uncertainties about  the number of pounds that one should gain during pregnancy,  it is essential to have control. For it to be effective, the following recommendations must be put into practice:

A balanced diet

Reduce the consumption of saturated fat and increase the intake of omega 3 found in fish, nuts and flax seeds. These will promote the growth of the baby and the proper development of the central nervous system.

“Keeping in mind the number of pounds you should gain during pregnancy will help you take the necessary steps to avoid the risks”

Have a gynecological check-up

A month-to-month gynecological check-up will help your obstetrician to  assess the growth of the fetus and to check if you are having an appropriate diet. Additionally, it will measure blood pressure levels to determine if there is fluid retention.

Take snacks

Eating snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon will reduce anxiety levels. This will lead you to eat less and avoid gaining too much weight.

It is also advisable to drink two liters of water. Store-bought juices and soft drinks, even if they are dietetic, should be avoided because they contain high amounts of sugar.

In addition, it is important to practice physical activity according to your state of health. It could be easy hikes, water aerobics or other activities supervised by professionals.

In short, having in mind the number of pounds you should gain during pregnancy will help you take the necessary steps to avoid the risks. Remember not to eat double, but for two.