Weight gain during pregnancy is one of the most worrying issues in pregnancy monitoring, and one that cannot be generalized, as each pregnant woman has different characteristics.
It is the doctor or midwife who, depending on the physical complexion of each woman, her BMI (body mass index) and her state of health, will set the guidelines to follow in each case.
That said, if we talk about a woman with normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9), the recommended total weight gain is between 11.5 and 16 kilos, according to the SEGO (Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics). ).
How is BMI calculated?
The BMI is the body mass in relation to height, and is calculated in adults by dividing the kilograms of weight by the square of the height in meters. BMI = weight (kg)/ height (m²).
For example, if you weigh 60 kilograms and are 1.65 meters tall, your BMI is 22.04 (normal weight).
Weight gain in pregnancy by trimesters
Weight gain is not usually identical throughout the pregnancy, being different in each trimester. It is common that, largely due to the nausea and discomfort of the first few weeks, little weight is gained during the first trimester.
The second and third trimesters of pregnancy are when the greatest weight gain occurs. In women with a normal BMI, the recommended gain is approximately 400-500 grams per week .
For overweight women, it is less, about 300 grams a week.
In the first trimester:
- Low weight: 200 grams per week
- Normal weight: 180 grams per week
- Overweight: 140 grams per week
- Obesity: 100 grams per week
In the second and third trimester:
- Low weight: 500 grams per week
- Normal weight: 400-500 grams per week
- Overweight: 300 grams per week
- Obesity: 250 grams per week
Weight gain in pregnancy, month by month
It is often said that pregnant women have to gain a “kilo per month”, that is, nine kilos in total, which is wrong advice, since each woman is different.
For example, a woman with a low BMI can gain up to 18 kg without being a problem, something that gives us an average of two kilos per month, while an obese woman should not gain more than nine kilos in total.
Average weight gain in pregnancy month by month
Taking into account the particularities of each woman and that during the first trimester of pregnancy the weight gain is lower, we have prepared a table of the approximate kilos to increase during pregnancy month by month .
|
starting weight |
MONTH 1 |
MONTH 2 |
month 3 |
month 4 |
month 5 |
month 6 |
month 7 |
month 8 |
month 9 |
total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOW WEIGHT (BMI <18.5) |
+0.5 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1.5 kg |
+1.5 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
From 12.5 to 18 Kg |
|
NORMAL WEIGHT (BMI 18.5-24.9) |
0 g |
+0.5 g |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
From 11.5 to 16 kg |
|
OVERWEIGHT (BMI 25-29.9) |
0 g |
0 g |
+0.5 g |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1.5 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
From 7 to 11.5 kg |
|
obesity (BMI >30) |
0 g |
0 g |
+0.5 g |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
+1 kg |
From 5 to 9 kg |
|
MULTIPLE EMBARAZO (normal BMI 18.5-24.9) |
+0.5 kg |
+1 kg |
+1.5 kg |
+2 kg |
+2 kg |
+2.5 kg |
+2.5 kg |
+2.5 kg |
+2.5 kg |
From 16.8 to 24.5 kg |
Weight control during pregnancy is a sign of a healthy pregnancy, since excessive weight gain is related to problems during pregnancy such as hypertension, gestational diabetes and premature birth, among others.
Eating a varied and balanced diet and practicing exercise will help you maintain an adequate weight during pregnancy.
In Babies and more | Healthy eating during pregnancy: 11 nutrition keys for you and your baby
