Weight Gain in Pregnancy

One of the first questions asked at the initial prenatal visit is , "How much weight should I gain in pregnancy?","What is too much?" or "Too little?".

If a woman is of normal weight when beginning her pregnancy and on a healthy balanced diet, then it doesn't matter what the scale says. A good average is between 25-40 lbs.. The weight gained in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy is what the mother needs for good breast feeding stores and the last few weeks is when the fetus puts on most of his/her weight. That is why it is so crucial to continue with a healthy diet the last 4-5 weeks of pregnancy, avoiding excess empty calories (fast foods, sugar,white flour, etc...) One of my favorite stories to share with my clients as an excellent example of this, is about a woman who I helped and always had 8 1/2 lb. babies. Her first out of hospital birth with me was baby number 6. With this baby, she did her usual 42 week pregnancy and birthed an 11 1/2 lb. baby boy without any problems at all!! When I questioned her during the immediate postpartum period about what she ate the last few weeks, she smiled and said, "Dairy Queen 2-3 times a week"!! With her next baby, she paid close attention to her diet throughout her pregnancy and even closer attention those last 4 weeks and her next baby weighed 8 1/2 lbs. I do want to mention that she  had only gained 11 lbs in her pregnancy with baby #6 and 4 lbs. was in the last 3 weeks. Also, I think this example is a bit extreme as most of us aren't going to go to Dairy Queen 2-3 times a week but even the most conscious "health food junkies" can fall off track. Those last few weeks,almost all women just don't feel like cooking and start reaching for more "comfort foods".

As a midwife, instead of looking at what weight is gained between each prenatal, I look at the overall weight gain, as each woman/pregnancy is different. Some women may have a large weight gain in the beginning and then none or very little for several months and then another big gain but still be well within the average amount. A woman may be on the high end of what is considered "normal weight" pre-pregnancy or slightly over weight and gain very little in the pregnancy and still have a healthy baby of normal weight and size.

A well balanced diet that consists of fresh vegetables and fruits,good sources of protein, calcium (in food form or supplements equaling 1200mg a day) ,  whole grains, and a diet free of white flour and sugar, is the best diet you can give to you and your growing baby.