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On average, a healthy amount of weight gain during pregnancy is 22-35 pounds for normal weight women. This is usually accomplished by gaining 4-6 pounds during the first trimester, and about two-thirds to one pound a week during the second and third trimesters.
Where does this weight come from? According to the Nemours Foundation, this is how a 30-pound pregnancy weight gain is typically distributed:
Pregnant Woman
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Keep in mind that pregnancy weight gain may vary.
If you gain too much weight during pregnancy, you will be at increased risk of complications, including diabetes , high blood pressure , constipation , and backaches. In addition, your labor and delivery may be longer and more difficult. On the other hand, if you don’t gain enough weight, you baby will not get the nutrients he or she needs to grow and develop properly.
References:
Eating during pregnancy. Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/eating_pregnancy.html . Accessed August 1, 2005.
Fit for two: tips for pregnancy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Weight—Control Information Network website. Available at: http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/two.htm . Accessed August 1, 2005.
RESOURCES:
American Pregnancy Association
http://www.americanpregnancy.org
Last reviewed May 2007 by Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC, FACOG
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.