Healthy weight gain during pregnancy varies according to the mother’s body mass index and her health before pregnancy. If the pregnant woman’s weight is healthy before pregnancy, it is assumed that the weight gain in the first trimester is equivalent to 500-2000 grams, or she does not gain any excess weight at all, but in the second and the third trimester of pregnancy, the pregnant woman should gain about 225 grams to 450 grams per week. For women who are at a healthy weight when pregnant, the key to healthy weight gain is to slowly increase calories.
| Less than 18.5 | below normal
| 450g to 589g.
| 12.7 lbs. to 18.1 lbs.
| Unknown
|
|---|
18.5-24.9
| normal weight
| 362g to 450g.
| 11.3 lbs. to 13.6 lbs.
| 16.8 kg to 24.5 kg.
|
|---|
25-29.9
| Increase in weight
| 226g to 317g.
| 6.8 kg to 11.3 kg.
| 14.1 lbs. to 22.7 lbs.
|
|---|
30 and above
| obese
| 181g to 272g.
| 5 kg to 9 kg.
| 11.3 lbs. to 19.1 lbs.
|
|---|
Calories:
General daily caloric needs should be discussed with your doctor. Since every woman is different from the other, but during pregnancy the increase is as follows:
- During the first trimester of pregnancy in one fetus: it does not change from the woman's need before pregnancy.
- During the second trimester: You need to add 340 calories per day, in addition to your basic calories.
- During the second trimester: You need to add 450 calories per day, in addition to your basic calories.
- A pregnant woman with twins needs to add 600 calories per day, while a pregnant woman with triplets needs to add 900 calories a day.
Effect of obesity on pregnancy:
If the body mass index is higher than normal, or has reached the stage of obesity, this negatively affects pregnancy, as the possibility of infection increases:
- Pregnancy diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- Eclampsia.
- Premature birth.
- Caesarean delivery.
In addition, newborns may develop the following problems:
- Birth defects.
- The size of the fetus has increased.
- The possibility of injuries during childbirth.
Effect of obesity on childbirth:
- Women who suffer from overweight and obesity give birth after a longer time than women of normal weight.
- It may be difficult to monitor the fetus during labor; Therefore, obesity during pregnancy increases the likelihood of a cesarean delivery.
- if a caesarean section is needed; The risks of infection, bleeding, and other complications are greater in obese women than those of normal weight.
- Tips for pregnant women who are overweight or obese before pregnancy:
- Agree with the doctor about the goals of weight gain at the beginning and on a regular basis throughout pregnancy.
- Track pregnancy weight gains initially and regularly throughout pregnancy, and compare progress against recommended ranges for healthy weight gain.
- When measuring weight, it is preferable without shoes, wearing lightweight clothes, and using the same scale on the same day and time every week.
- Follow a well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins.
- Limit added sugars and solid fats in foods (such as soft drinks, sweets, fried foods, and fatty meats).
- Know the appropriate caloric needs according to body mass index and time of pregnancy.
- Maintain physical activity for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) per week, unless there are any restrictions on physical activity.