McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version

When you are pregnant, you need to get enough calories from your food to nourish your baby and stay in good health yourself. In this discussion of pregnancy and weight control you will learn how much weight you should gain and why it is important not to gain too much or too little.

How much weight should I gain?

Your health care provider will suggest a range of weight that you should gain, usually about 20 to 35 pounds.

You will gain 20 pounds just by being pregnant as your breasts, uterus, and baby get bigger. The placenta, bag of waters (amniotic sac), and extra blood and body fluids also are included in this 20-pound gain.

The following table gives recommended ranges of total weight gain for pregnant women according to their weight-for-height category:

 
Weight-for-Height Category      Recommended Weight Gain*
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Low (underweight)               28 to 40 pounds
Normal                          25 to 35 pounds
High (overweight)               15 to 25 pounds
Obese                           less than 15 pounds
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* Young women less than 18 years old should try to gain 
  weight at the upper limits of these ranges. 

Overweight mothers may have larger babies and may be at higher risk for diabetes during pregnancy. However, if you are overweight, you should not try to lose weight during pregnancy. This can be harmful to the baby. You should still gain 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are more than 10% below the average weight for your height, you are more likely to have problems such as preeclampsia (blood pressure problems), premature delivery, and bleeding. Your health care provider can help you plan a diet to help you gain enough weight.

What if I gain too much weight?

If you gain too much weight, you may be overeating or eating the wrong types of foods. Your health care provider can review your diet and decide whether you are eating too much. If you are not overeating and are eating the right types of food, the extra weight is usually extra water. Try to stay within the range your health care provider sets for you. If you gain too much weight, you may have trouble losing the extra pounds after the baby is born.

What if I don't gain enough weight?

If you are not gaining enough weight (less than 2 pounds a month in the last 6 months), the baby is more likely to have problems at birth. It is important not to lose weight while you are pregnant. Ask your health care provider to help you plan your diet.

Special Situations

• If you are a teenage mother, you have special requirements because you are still growing yourself and need extra nutrients. Talk to your health care provider about a diet plan.
• If you need financial help buying nutritious foods, a government program called the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children can help you buy foods like milk, eggs, cheese, and bread.
• If you have cravings for things that are not food (such as starch, clay, or ice) and eat these things instead of food, the result is poor nutrition and poor weight gain. Talk to your health care provider if you have these cravings.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.