Gaining weight during pregnancy is a must for growing
a healthy baby. The average full-term infant weighs between 6.5 and 9
pounds. General weight gain guidelines recommend that you gain 25 to 35
pounds during pregnancy. Typically, if you were underweight prior to
pregnancy, your health care provider may suggest you gain more and if you
were overweight before you became pregnant, your provider may recommend that
you gain less. Refer to your provider regarding how much weight gain is
appropriate for you.
The preferred scenario is that you gain about 4 to 6 pounds the first
trimester, 11 to 15 pounds the second trimester, and about 11 to 15 pounds
the third trimester. The increased weight is distributed as follows:
| Baby |
6.5 to 9 pounds |
| Placenta |
1.5 pounds |
| Amniotic fluid |
2 pounds |
| Enlarged uterus |
2.5
pounds |
| Enlarged
breasts |
3
pounds |
| Increased
blood volume |
3 to 4 pounds |
|
Increased fluid |
2 to 3
pounds |
|
Fat stores and increased muscle |
4 to 10
pounds |
|
Total |
24.5 to 35 pounds |
For more information about this and other subjects
related to preparing for childbirth,
read
Motherwell Maternity Fitness
Plan by Bonnie Berk, RN.
Copyright
2005 Bonnie Berk, Inc.
