Most women keep a close eye on their weight. But there are times when doctors take on this responsibility: we are talking about a happy time for bearing a child. Then weight gain occurs for natural reasons, but still it does not hurt to know how much they get better during pregnancy. What is too much weight gain and should it be a concern?
What is the rate of weight gain during pregnancy?
Watching how their weight is rapidly increasing, women in position begin to worry if everything is going as it should. What increase is considered the norm and how much can you get better during pregnancy?
For the entire period of bearing a baby, it is supposed to gain 9-14 kg. If twins grow up in the tummy, then the weight may increase by 16-21 kg.
Weight for 9 months of "interesting position" increases unevenly. How to get better during pregnancy is also an individual indicator. Some people begin to recover from the first days of conception, and then their body weight does not increase so actively.
But usually in the first trimester, weight does not grow so rapidly: a woman gains only 2 kg. The situation changes in the second trimester. The monthly increase can be about 1 kg (or 300 g per week). At a period of 7 months, when the fetus greatly increases in size, the woman's weight begins to rise to 400 g per week, that is, every day (normally) the scales will show 50 g more.
But these figures are not an absolute guideline. How much the expectant mother will eventually gain depends on her own weight and height, tendency to be overweight, age, size of the fetus and method of nutrition. To calculate the approximate rate of gain for yourself personally, you can use the following formula: divide your weight by height, raised to the second degree. The normal body mass index is 19.8-25.9. The lower this value, the greater the number of "allowed" additional kilos.
If the indicator is less than 19.8, then you can gain 15 kg. Women with a body index of 18.9-26 can gain (without negative consequences for themselves and the baby) no more than 13.5 kg. If their index is (or more) 26, then the allowed increase is 9 kg.
An alarming signal is both the complete absence of weight gain and its sharp jump. In these cases, be sure to visit a doctor to determine what caused such a failure.
If the weight began to fall, this may be due to the fact that the child is growing at the expense of his mother. This phenomenon may be normal if it occurs early in pregnancy. Toxicosis especially contributes to weight loss. Before giving birth, a woman can also lose weight.
Why is a very large weight gain scary? A sharp plus (if a pregnant woman gained 1-3 kg in a week) may indicate hidden or obvious edema. Fluid builds up in the body and leads to weight gain with a normal diet. If protein is found in the urine, pressure has risen and edema has formed, then this may be a sign of preeclampsia in the 2nd half of pregnancy. A complication of this pathology sometimes becomes eclampsia during childbirth or diabetes mellitus.
If the expectant mother has recovered too much (not necessarily because of pathologies, but from overeating), then she is guaranteed to have shortness of breath. Excess weight can turn into such problems for the expectant mother:
- hemorrhoids;
- pain in the legs and lower back due to increased stress on the spinal column and lower extremities;
- varicose veins;
- difficulties during childbirth;
- in exceptional cases - detachment of the placenta and premature birth.
Rapid weight gain is fraught with aesthetic problems. It can lead to stretch marks on the body. Remember also that how much women get better during pregnancy, it will be so much more difficult for them to bring their figure back to normal after childbirth.
If she gains 20-30 kg, this can be an indicator for a cesarean section, since the fetus will be very large. Overweight is dangerous not only for the mother herself. Children born to overweight women are often diagnosed with congenital defects or heart disease.
Pregnancy without problems: how to eat so that the weight grows correctly?
What should be nutrition during pregnancy? In order not to get better, it is better to forget the advice of grandmothers "eat for two!". Of course, diets for this period are canceled. The child should receive all the vitamins and components he is entitled to.
How to build your diet so as not to gain extra pounds? The principle of nutrition should be as follows:
- have breakfast without fail. If you skip your morning meal, you will soon feel overwhelming hunger and eat more than you should;
- it is useful to make a menu every day. This will reduce the risk that, due to constant snacks, you will gain more than the norm per day;
- if you go for a walk, bring an apple with you. If your appetite suddenly flares up, the fruit will save you from having to buy a pie, bun or chocolate bar;
- better to eat at home. In cafes and other food service points, dishes are usually very high-calorie, since they are made hearty and tasty to attract customers;
- remove spicy, smoked foods from the menu. Limit your intake of sweets. Do not get carried away with flour products;
- the correct diet for a pregnant woman looks like this: proteins - 100-120 g per day. Of these, 70-90 g should be animal protein, so you should eat milk, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, kefir, eggs, yogurt, fish and meat. The optimal amount of fat is 80-100 g (at least 20 g of them are vegetable). The volume of carbohydrates - from 350 to 400 g (by the end of pregnancy - no more than 300 g);
- consume 1-1.5 liters of liquid daily (if there are no kidney pathologies);
- eat 4 times a day in small portions;
- do not overload the stomach before bedtime. A late dinner can include dairy products, vegetables, or fruits.
Most pregnant women look forward to the moment they have. But along with this, expectant mothers are somewhat alarmed by the change in their own dimensions, because other parts of the body are rounded along with the stomach. And this pleases not every woman.
Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. Any normal pregnancy should be accompanied by an increase. But she "has no right" to go beyond the established framework, which in each individual case may be different.
What does weight gain depend on?
So, if the pregnancy is going well, then as it develops, the woman's weight will inevitably increase. The amount of fluid in the body increases, the uterus, fetus and placenta grow, the breast prepares for feeding, and small fat reserves are also deposited to provide the baby with everything he needs. Naturally, all these gains become noticeable even without weights. However, expectant mothers are not all getting better.
The number of kilograms gained during pregnancy depends on many factors. First of all, from the original weight. The more it fell short of the norm, the faster it would rise. The process will go faster if you have a tendency to be overweight, but previously held back the weight with moderate nutrition and physical activity. Tall women will also score more than short women.
If expected, it is obvious that the placenta will be larger and heavier, and with it the total weight. The tendency to swelling also affects this indicator: the more fluid is retained in the body, the further the scale arrow deviates.
It is noteworthy that a decrease in weight in the early stages due to a strong, later can cause its rapid increase: the body, as it were, is making up for lost time, trying to recover.
In addition, almost all expectant mothers have an increase in appetite at certain times, which is associated with an increase in estrogen levels. And if a woman is not able to control him, then overeating also leads to a set of extra, and in this case, unwanted pounds.
The fluid retention in the tissues (which causes swelling) is also displayed in extra numbers on the scales. More unauthorized kilograms are formed when. Naturally, the expectant mother will weigh more than if she was pregnant with one child.
One should not forget about age: over the years, the tendency to be overweight and gain extra pounds increases.
Increase rates
Underweight or overweight during pregnancy threatens with various complications. So, too large increases may be accompanied, which is considered a violation. Overweight becomes an obstacle during childbirth, making it difficult for a baby to be born. It is also a great burden on the heart and musculoskeletal system of a woman, the risk of thrombophlebitis and the occurrence of various pains. And too small increases can be a sign of fetal development disorders.
Doctors for a reason monitor the weight of the pregnant woman throughout the entire period, and especially in the second half of pregnancy. To assess this indicator, conditional "corridors" have been created, into which the expectant mother should normally fit. Of course, these norms are averaged and can be adjusted depending on individual characteristics. But in general, they can be expressed in the following table:
The rate of weight gain during pregnancy
Week of pregnancy | 19,8<ИМТ<26,0 | ||
The BMI in the table is the body mass index, which is calculated as follows:
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m) 2.
For example, with a weight of 60 kg and a height of 160 cm, BMI = 60 / 1.62² = 23.44.
Different BMI indicators in the first, second and third columns are characteristic of women of thin, medium and large build, respectively.
As you can see, you should almost not gain weight: the increase is on average 1-2 kg. In the second trimester, every week, weight can be added by 250-300 g. Starting from 30 weeks - 300-400 g per week or 50 g per day. There is also such a formula for calculating the allowed increase in the 3rd trimester: for every 10 cm of growth, you can add a maximum of 22 g per week.
However, the rate of weight gain is as individual as the gains themselves. Some women begin to round up from the very first weeks, while others have sharply increased in volume in the last months.
Most obstetricians agree that on average you can gain 12-13 kg per pregnancy. If twins are expected, then the increase will be 16-21 kg.
Undoubtedly, it should be alerted if a woman did not gain a single gram in two weeks or the increase in a week was more than 500 g. You should also consult a doctor if the weight is growing unevenly.
Where do kilograms come from?
We found that "legal" weight gain over the entire pregnancy can be an average of 13 kg. What do these "pregnant" kilograms consist of:
- child - 3000-3500g;
- uterus - 900-1000 g;
- the last one - 400-500 g;
- amniotic fluid - 900-1000 g;
- an increase in blood volume - 1200-1500 g;
- additional liquid - 1500-2700;
- an increase in the mammary glands - 500 g;
- body fat - 3000-4000 g.
Total - 11400-14700
As you can see, food for two is not provided here. So this idea can be thrown away at once. Nevertheless, for the development and bearing of a healthy child, reserves are needed, which the mother's body draws from nutrition. The diet of pregnant women really should be a little more calories than the rest, but not much - only plus 200 calories per day in the first half and plus 300 calories per day in the second half of pregnancy.
If the doctor comes to the conclusion that the weight of the pregnant woman exceeds the permissible norm, you must first try to give up flour, sweet and animal fats. You should not sharply limit your diet, because changes in weight provoke changes. You should reduce portions gradually, but you should not give up cereals and plant foods. You need to eat often, but little by little. And monitor your fluid intake: 6-8 glasses a day by all means.
It is advisable to weigh yourself every day for monitoring purposes, it is best to do this in the morning on an empty stomach and always in the same clothes to obtain the most reliable data.
Do not rush to get upset if your indicators do not coincide with the above norms, because everything is individual. Focus on your health and doctor's advice. Remember that after giving birth, you will gradually return to your previous forms if you put in a little effort. This process will go faster if you are breastfeeding your baby. But in the case of gaining excess weight during pregnancy, it will be more difficult to part with those extra pounds.
Keep in mind that malnutrition during the period of gestation is much more dangerous than overeating. However, try to keep yourself within limits.
Especially for- Elena Kichak
One of the main thoughts that haunt girls long before pregnancy is the fear of gaining a lot of weight. This is partly correct, since many women after childbirth begin to have problems with being overweight. But you should not be afraid of this in advance, and even more so, you cannot postpone pregnancy on this occasion. If you lead an appropriate lifestyle, then the weight during pregnancy will not be excessive. Proper nutrition is the key to the minimum weight gain for the entire nine months of pregnancy.
Weight during pregnancy is normal
The fact that a woman will gain weight during pregnancy is a fact. The main point for the doctor is not the aesthetic side, but the timely identification of the pathological increase. Therefore, during each visit to the gynecologist, the woman stands on the scales and reports the result to the gynecologist.
It is important to know the exact numbers of weight gain, so you should not overeat before going to the doctor and wear too much clothes. You can measure the weight of the house, which will allow you to identify an excess increase in time.
Nutrition and weight
In order to control weight during pregnancy, you need to monitor your diet and do not forget about physical activity. Of course, if there is a threat of interruption, then bed rest is necessary and there can be no question of any fitness or pool. But if the pregnancy proceeds without complications, then you need to move as much as possible. Daily walks, morning exercises, exercise for pregnant women should be a must. Then the weight during pregnancy will be the norm for all nine months.
An important point is the nature of the diet, and the amount of food eaten. It should be remembered that the child will always take the elements he needs from the mother's blood. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve balance so that there is enough nutrients, but there is no excess either. You should not exclude potatoes or pasta from your diet, but these foods can be limited. But vegetables and meat should be in the diet regularly and in sufficient quantities.
If a woman was overweight before pregnancy, then it is impossible to start losing weight after she became pregnant. Also, you can not lose weight at the stage of planning pregnancy. Losing weight is a difficult process that affects many organs. This can negatively affect the development of the child. Thin girls should not overeat with the thought that this is for the good of the baby. Fast weight gain is no less harmful than fast weight loss. There should be a "golden mean" in everything.
The listed points are the answer to the question: how not to overload the weight during pregnancy? In most cases, subject to basic rules, weight gain can be controlled. Sometimes genetic predisposition or disease tendencies take over, making it harder to keep track of your weight. But in any case, overeating and too high-calorie foods should be avoided. Then, even with bed rest, the weight of a pregnant woman will be within normal limits.
Update: October 2018
Pregnancy for each expectant mother proceeds in its own way: for someone the beautiful 9 months are given easily, someone suffers from unbearable toxicosis, back pain, headache, edema, constipation, etc. during the gestation period.
Newborn crumbs differ little in terms of weight from each other, their mothers, while carrying the fetus, gain different amounts of kg, fit into the norms or gaining excess. Some women do not gain weight at all or lose it at all. We will understand all these subtleties in this article.
Weight gain rate
It is a misconception that weight is gained only for the needs of the fetus. A set of kilograms with a certain margin is necessary for the development of pregnancy in general and the subsequent life of a newborn.
| Weight distribution | Weight | % of total weight gain |
| The weight of the child at the time of delivery is 2500-4000 g, and it increases significantly during the last weeks of pregnancy | 25-30 % | |
|
400-600 g | 5 % |
|
1-1.5 liters by 37 weeks, 800 ml at the time of delivery | 10 % |
|
1000 at the time of delivery | 10 % |
|
1.5KG | 25 % |
|
1.5-2 kg | |
|
0.5KG | |
|
3-4 kg | 25-30 % |
| Total | 10-15 kg | 100% |
How to track weight gain?
Of course, weight must be controlled. From the first day of a confirmed pregnancy, a woman should buy a good scale and start a notebook or sheet of paper in which she will note the weekly weight gain.
- It is necessary to weigh in one day weekly;
- In the morning;
- With or without clothing;
- Before meals;
- By emptying the bowels and bladder.
Normal weight gain during pregnancy
Weight gain occurs unevenly, not only by week, but also with individual characteristics: someone gains weight already from the moment of conception, and someone notices weight gain only from 20 weeks.
- At standard flow about 40% of the weight gain occurs in the first half, and the remaining 60% in the second half of pregnancy.
- Average body weight gain during the first three months it is 0.2 kg weekly, but it is during this period that many have toxicosis, someone even goes into a minus.
- For the first three months the expectant mother is gaining about 2-3 kg.
- The second trimester is characterized by the improvement of the general condition of the woman and an increase in appetite - it is during this period that the most intense weight gain will fall. A woman gains about 300-400 g per week.
- On the last dates weight gain, as a rule, is suspended, sometimes the weight decreases slightly against the background of hormonal changes associated with preparation for delivery and due to the removal of excess water.
What indicators does weight gain depend on?
There is no single rate of weight gain under which all pregnant women could be summed up. The optimal set in weight directly depends on the initial weight to an interesting position: the smaller it is, the more it is allowed to set during gestation. So, as a rule, this is what happens - overweight women gain a little and become "visually pregnant" only at a later date, it is much more difficult for thin women to hide pregnancy.
- To determine whether normal, low or overweight initially, the calculation of the body mass index (BMI) allows, for calculating which figures of height and weight are needed - before pregnancy!
- BMI is equal to the weight (body mass) in kilograms divided by the woman's height in meters squared.
- Example: 50 kg at 160 cm, 50 / (1.6 * 1.6) = 19.5 BMI
Optimal set of kg during gestation - decoding BMI
Weekly gain table based on baseline BMI
The norm of weight by weeks of pregnancy depends on the weight before pregnancy, on the basis of which it is necessary to calculate the BMI:
| A week | BMI less than 18.5 kg | BMI 18.5-25 | BMI over 30 |
| 4 | 0 - 0.9 kg | 0 - 0.7 kg | 0 - 0.5 kg |
| 6 | 0 - 1.4 kg | 0 - 1 kg | 0 - 0.6 kg |
| 8 | 0 - 1.6 kg | 0 - 1.2 kg | 0 - 0.7 kg |
| 10 | 0 - 1.8 kg | 0 - 1.3 kg | 0 - 0.8 kg |
| 12 | 0 - 2 kg | 0 - 1.5 kg | 0 - 1 kg |
| 14 | 0.5 - 2.7 kg | 0.5 - 2 kg | 0.5 - 1.2 kg |
| 16 | up to 3.6 kg | up to 3 kg | up to 1.4 kg |
| 18 | up to 4.6 kg | up to 4 kg | up to 2.3 kg |
| 20 | up to 6 kg | up to 5.9 kg | up to 2.9 kg |
| 22 | up to 7.2 kg | up to 7 kg | up to 3.4 kg |
| 24 | up to 8.6 kg | up to 8.5 kg | up to 3.9 kg |
| 26 | up to 10 kg | up to 10 kg | up to 5 kg |
| 28 | up to 13 kg | up to 11 kg | up to 5.4 kg |
| 30 | up to 14 kg | up to 12 kg | up to 5.9 kg |
| 32 | up to 15 kg | up to 13 kg | up to 6.4 kg |
| 34 | up to 16 kg | up to 14 kg | up to 7.3 kg |
| 36 | up to 17 kg | up to 15 kg | up to 7.9 kg |
| 38 | up to 18 kg | up to 16 kg | up to 8.6 kg |
| 40 | up to 18 kg | up to 16 kg | up to 9.1 kg |
I would like to pay special attention to the issue of nutrition for women who are initially overweight. Pregnancy is definitely not going to be the easiest period since the weight will have to be kept under control, but it means it's time to starve! Refusal to eat is fraught with disturbances in the development of the fetus and the release of toxins into the bloodstream due to the breakdown of fats. The recommended diet will be determined by the gynecologist!
What is the threat of underweight or overweight during gestation?
The optimal is a smooth weight gain without visible jumps, which ultimately fits into the recommended indicators. Both lack and excess weight threaten the health of the fetus and the expectant mother.
Insufficient weight gain and inadequate nutrition can lead to malnutrition of the newborn and various options for intrauterine growth retardation. Children born with a weight of less than 2.5 kg are at risk of developing various physical and mental pathologies. Insufficient intake of nutrients in the body of a woman carrying a child leads to hormonal disruptions and increases the threat of miscarriage and early birth. Even a tendency to lose weight or the absence of at least some weight gain should be the reason for an urgent visit to the doctor.
Excess weight should be alarming no less shortage:
- more than 2 kg per week for any period;
- more than 4 kg in the first 3 months;
- more than 1.5 kg monthly for the second trimester;
- more than 800 g weekly in the third trimester.
An excessive increase can lead to an increase in blood pressure, the development of diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, osteochondrosis, premature aging of the placenta, and complications in childbirth.
The biggest danger of being overweight is latent or overt swelling. In this case, the plus on the scales is not associated with overeating, but is a consequence of the fact that the body, or rather the excretory system, cannot cope with the load and fluid begins to accumulate in tissues and organs. Edema threatens the development of late toxicosis, with an increase (see).
Explicit swelling can be noticed on your own: if after removing the socks on the legs there is a trace, the jewelry is hardly removed from the finger, the face looks puffy, and urination is rare - you have swelling, you should urgently go to the doctor. Latent edema can only be detected by a doctor, so you cannot neglect the planned visits that a gynecologist prescribes, even if you feel great.
How not to gain weight
Do not overeat
The advice of caring mothers and grandmothers that now you can eat for two is absolutely wrong. The body must receive the proper amount of nutrients, but without overloading, both in portions of food and in time. You need to eat a little, but more often than usual. On average, an increase in calories by 200-300 calories more than the usual diet is considered normal, but these figures cannot be guided by everyone without exception, especially women who are obese.
Fight constipation
One of the unfavorable factors affecting weight is a tendency to constipation, since a rare bowel movement not only increases weight on the scales, but also negatively affects the general condition of the body, slagging it (see outside pregnancy). Especially often pregnant women suffer from constipation in the later stages. For obvious reasons, you cannot use it regularly. The best thing:
- At night there is a portion of fresh white cabbage salad - in the morning there will be a bowel movement
- Eat 2-3 dried apricots or prunes every day, in the summer you can eat fresh apricots or plums
- According to the doctor's prescription, you can take such a safe and effective prebiotic (osmotic laxative) as Lactulose - Normase, Portalak syrup, Lactulose Poly, Goodluck, Lactulose Stada, Livolyuk-PB, Romfalak. It is approved for use at any stage of pregnancy.
Avoid useless, harmful and quickly absorbed carbohydrates
Avoid sweets, baked goods, sweets, and pastries. Nothing contributes to the addition of unnecessary fatty deposits as all kinds of puff, shortbread cookies, with and without filling, buns, rolls, cakes, pastries, ice cream, etc. Give them up completely if they tend to be overweight and have already gained extra pounds.
In addition, all these products are saturated with food additives and such (palm, coconut, rapeseed) that load the digestive tract, contribute to the development of obesity, and according to the results of some research by scientists - even oncology.
Arrange light fasting days
They help not only to normalize the emerging tendency to gain excess weight, but in general they will give some respite to the body. It is enough to arrange unloading once every 2 weeks. Fasting day, again, does not mean starvation! On this day, most of the usual diet should be replaced with vegetables or low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, and some liquid should be limited.
Be reasonably physically active
Daily walks in the fresh air will not only prevent excess fat from forming, but are also beneficial for the baby, since the mother's blood is saturated with oxygen. You should not completely give up feasible homework and familiar things.
The other way around is to gain the missing weight.
If the weight stubbornly stands still, there are some guidelines for gaining it:
- Eat 5-6 times a day, but not overload;
- With painful toxicosis, you still need to eat, in small pieces, waiting out the attacks of nausea. You can eat in the fresh air, at night in bed - i.e. in an environment in which the manifestations of toxicosis are minimal.
- Carry a healthy snack with you: nuts, biscuits, banana, cheese, dried fruits, yoghurts;
- Eat peanut butter, which is rich in energy and protein (if you are not allergic to it);
- Season dishes with sour cream, olive oil, butter, cream (but not mayonnaise);
- Drink enough liquid, do not neglect dairy and fermented milk products.
How to safely stop excess weight gain
Naturally, no strict or mono diets for pregnant women will work.
Losing weight or keeping it at certain numbers will help a complete rejection of flour products from wheat flour and confectionery, fast food, as well as salty, spicy and smoked foods that cause thirst, forcing you to drink excess liquid.
- The menu should contain complex carbohydrates (300-350 g daily): whole grain cereals, vegetables and seasonal fruits.
- You cannot limit fish and meat (100-120 g per day), but the menu should include dietary and lean varieties of these products: rabbit, turkey, beef, pike perch, cod, navaga.
- Butter is allowed in the amount of 10 g per day, it is better to replace refined sunflower oil with unrefined one.
- Cooking method - steaming, boiling, stewing.
- Meals should be moderate, for 1 meal - no more than 1-2 dishes.
- You can not refuse lunch and breakfast, but dinner can be replaced with a dairy product.
- The optimal ratio of calories by meals: breakfast 30%, 2nd breakfast 10%, lunch 40%, afternoon tea and dinner - 10% each.
- It is permissible to drink a glass of water 10-15 minutes before meals.
- Salt is reduced to 5 g per day.
- The usual desserts should be replaced with low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese.
- The last meal should be at 19.00.
- After dinner, a quiet stroll is recommended.
From liquids, preference should be given to clean drinking water. The recommended 1.5 liters should be divided into 3 parts, two of which should be drunk by 4 pm, and the rest - by 8 pm. Such a system will avoid edema and give the kidneys a relief at night.
Flour products: dietary salt-free, bran, rye bread up to 100-150 g per day.
- Soups: vegetables with limitation of pasta, cereals and potatoes up to 200 g daily.
- Meat and meat products: steam dumplings, meatballs, puddings, zrazy, beftroganes from pre-boiled meat, aspic - up to 150 g per day.
- A fish: steamed soufflé, mashed potatoes, stewed fillets up to 150 g per day.
- Milk and dairy products: whole milk 1 glass per day, low-fat cottage cheese 150 g, low-fat yoghurts, yogurt up to 200 g per day.
- Eggs: 1-2 weekly as steamed omelets and soft-boiled.
- Cereals and side dishes: the most useful are oatmeal, buckwheat porridge, cereals in soups. If the amount of cereals increases, you should limit bread on this day.
- Vegetables: zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, herbs. Preferably fresh or steam soufflés, mashed potatoes.
- Snacks: vegetable salads, low-fat ham, aspic fish, meat.
- Sauces: from low-fat cottage cheese with herbs, low-fat sour cream, milk sauces.
- Spice: bay leaf, herbs, cloves. In limited quantities.
- Fruits and berries: sweet and sour fresh.
- Beverages: weak tea with 1/3 of milk, unsweetened juices in half with water, natural fruit drinks without sugar.