It is important that you remember that weight gain is a normal
and healthy part of pregnancy. You have to gain weight in order
to provide a healthy and comfortable home for the child that you
will be nurturing for the next nine months.
Most women want to know what the ideal weight is during
pregnancy. Honestly, there is no one answer. Weight gain will
vary from woman to woman. There is no one ‘ideal’ weight during
pregnancy, just like there is no one ‘ideal’ weight that is just
right for al women.
That said there are certain guidelines that you can follow to
ensure that the weight you gain during pregnancy is healthy.
Most physicians will recommend the following weight gain:
If you are normal weight before getting pregnant you should
expect to gain between 25 and 35 pounds throughout your
pregnancy.
If you are underweight prior to pregnancy you will need to gain
more weight, typically between 28 and 40 pounds during your
pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide you
with more specific guidelines.
If you are overweight when you become pregnant you will only
need to gain between 15 and 25 pounds during your pregnancy.
Keep in mind that if you are carrying multiples (twins or more)
you will typically be asked to gain even more weight, 45 pounds
or more, depending on how many babies you are carrying.
When you become pregnant it is important that you avoid dieting.
So, for purposes of this book we want to emphasize that it is
vital that you eat healthily during your pregnancy, not diet. A
healthy diet that is composed of food from each of the four food
groups will help ensure that you gain the right amount of weight
during your pregnancy, making it easier to shed pounds after you
give birth.