New mummies, congratulations on your pregnancy!
I’m sure you must be full of emotions—happy, anxious, worry; the list just goes on.
You’re probably also thinking about how this will affect your body in the future, too.
That’s understandable, given how much mums out there have recounted their experience with weight changes during pregnancy.
Well, just know that weight gain during pregnancy is really a normal thing.
In fact, it’s actually something that should happen during your maternity experience!
Of course, it is something that needs to be done in a balanced manner, so let’s dive into this topic to find out more!
Is It Normal to Gain Weight During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy weight gain is something that is an extremely common thing that happens when you’re expecting.
Given that your body’s basically preparing itself to carry a growing baby inside you, it’s quite understandable that it will happen.
Many factors come into account when it comes to pregnancy weight gain.
Weight gain during pregnancy also changes between each person, as well as their circumstances.
Medical background and genetic inheritance also plays a part in how much weight gain happens while you’re expecting.
How Much Should You Gain?
Pregnancy weight gain is a good thing, but only if it falls in the threshold that is fitting for your Body Mass Index (BMI).
Your BMI takes account your height and weight, and categorises you into a list ranging from underweight to obese.
Most commonly heard is that pregnant women should gain somewhere between 11 kilograms to 16 kilograms.
This is mostly true… for those who have average BMI, that is.
The thing about pregnancy weight gain is that you need to take account for how much you weigh in the beginning of your pregnancy.
Using a BMI calculator will help you get a rough estimate of how much pregnancy weight gain is okay for you.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the recommended pregnancy weight gain for expecting mums are:
- Underweight: 12 kilograms to 18 kilograms
- Normal Weight: 11 kilograms to 16 kilograms
- Overweight: 7 kilograms to 11 kilograms
- Obese: 5 kilograms to 9 kilograms
Future mums who are expecting twins have a slightly different scale for this weight gain amount as well:
- Underweight: 23 kilograms to 28 kilograms
- Normal Weight: 17 kilograms to 25 kilograms
- Overweight: 14 kilograms to 23 kilograms
- Obese: 11 kilograms to 19 kilograms
While this is just a range, and can differ between each individual, it’s a huge help to know this as it will help you strike a balance in your pregnancy diet.
Where the Pregnancy Weight Goes
Pregnancy weight is something that affects your body, that much is true.
But, the burning question is this: Where does all that weight go?
After all, a baby only weighs so much, so why do we need such an ample amount of weight to gain?
Well, not all of the weight you gain during pregnancy is from your little one growing inside.
For a 13-kilogram pregnancy weight gain, the weight distribution would be as such:
- Baby: 4 kilograms
- Placenta: 600 grams
- Amniotic Fluids: 900 grams
- Uterus: 900 grams
- Breast Tissue: 900 grams
- Blood Volume: 2 kilograms
- Fluid Volume: 2 kilograms
- Fat Storage: 3 kilograms
Now, this is not an exact number, and this number differs between each expecting mum; but the general idea is usually like this breakdown.
By gaining weight in all these areas, your body is essentially trying to ensure you are prepared for motherhood, and all the twists and turns it will bring.
Weight Control
With all the information out of the way, how do you ensure your pregnancy weight stays on a stable threshold throughout your pregnancy?
During the course of your pregnancy, you should ideally control your weight gain according to the guidance from ACOG’s table.
The following example below refers to someone whose BMI is on the average scale.
First Trimester
During the first trimester of your pregnancy, you will find yourself possibly gaining somewhere between 1 to 2 kilograms.
However, do note that this can change on certain situations.
For instance, maybe mums who experience morning sickness will gain less weight during this phase.
On the other hand, mums who have pregnancy cravings going haywire during this phase may gain more weight than mentioned.
In the case where you may be having issues to control your weight, it is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist.
Not only will they be able to do a thorough check-up, but they can also help come up with solutions to get you to a stable weight in preparation for your later trimesters.
In addition to that, you can also try out these first-trimester oriented exercises to keep in shape!
Second Trimester
Now that you’re in the second trimester, your morning sickness should probably be gone by now.
You also may typically have a bigger appetite during this phase, considering the fact there is a baby growing inside you.
So, it’s more on the normal scale if you gain around ½ to 1 kilogram a week during this trimester.
In total, this trimester will typically have you gaining around 6 to 12 kilograms.
This also may be a pretty sensitive time in terms of weight, as you’re more likely to be able to see these changes in your body.
However, don’t fret, mummies; head over to read this article and see what exercises that are safe for pregnant mums to stay healthy!
Third Trimester
You’re almost at the end of your journey of pregnancy!
At this stage, you’re likely to have a more sporadic eating schedule.
Some days, you will find yourself feeling too nauseous and stuffed to eat.
There may also be days where you just feel hungry; after all, it’s hard work for your body to carry your little one.
Both these situations are normal during this stage of pregnancy, so don’t be too worried!
However, you must still try to at least get at least a bit of food inside you so that both you and your baby get the sufficient amount of daily nutrients.
You can also check out this article to see what you can or can’t do in your third trimester for more pointers!
Not Gaining Weight During Pregnancy
In the case where you find yourself not gaining weight during your pregnancy, there may be a few possible reasons behind that.
One specific reason may be due to hyperemesis gravidarum, which is, to put it simply, a worse version of morning sickness.
Alternatively, mums with history of an eating disorder may also have some difficulty with trying to put on weight.
In both these cases, it is best to seek assistance from your medical practitioner.
Not only will they be more aware towards your condition, but they will also be able to help you find ways to deal with these issues promptly.
It’s absolutely vital that you deal with these issues in the early stages of pregnancy to ensure your body can prepare itself for what’s to come.
Gaining Too Much Weight During Pregnancy
It’s quite normal to gain weight while pregnant, but there has to be a limit to it.
If your gain a huge amount of weight in the midst of your pregnancy, it is also a good idea to visit your medical practitioners to get it taken care of.
Excessive increase of weight during your pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes.
In addition to that, you may also end up having to deal with preeclampsia as well.
There’s also the heightened risk of having to go through a caesarean section birth rather than a natural birth, too.
So, in the case you find your weight increasing rapidly while pregnant, talk to your doctor to come up with plans to combat and control it.
You can also try out these maternity-friendly activities to stay active!
Will the Pregnancy Weight Stay Forever?
I know, pregnancy weight can seem like a daunting issue to deal with.
But, you can lose pregnancy weight after your little one arrives!
Granted, pregnancy does bring a permanent change to some aspects of your body.
That being said, your weight is not one of them.
One of the most effective ways to knock off those pregnancy pounds is by doing regular physical workouts.
You can do this by trying this pregnancy ball routine , or taking up something as simple as jogging, as this will burn that pregnancy weight off quick.
You can also read more on how to lose your postpartum weight here, too!
With all that out of the way, remember to not be too hung-up over the numbers on your scale.
Pregnancy is different for everyone, each one being a unique experience for each mum.
So, enjoy your pathway to motherhood!
After all, pregnancy is a journey that should be savoured; be it the good or the bad.
Have a healthy pregnancy, mummies!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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