Recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy
How much weight you should gain during pregnancy is based on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). BMI is an indicator of body fat calculated from weight and height.
Weight gain recommendations for women who are pregnant with a baby
Weight gain recommendations for women pregnant with twins
For more information, visit Healthy weight gain during pregnancy from the Department of Medicine. If you are pregnant with triplets or more, talk to your healthcare provider about your weight gain goals.
*All recommendations are from the Institute of Medicine, with the exception of underweight women with twins.1
Weight gain below, within and above recommendations
ONE previous study found that only about 1 in 3 women gained the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy. About 1 in 5 women took the pregnancy weight gain recommendations and 1 in 2 got the above recommendations.
Steps to meet pregnancy weight gain recommendations
Know your calorie needs. In general, the first trimester does not require any extra calories. Typically add about 340 additional daily calories during the second trimester and about 450 additional daily calories during the third trimester.
Work with your healthcare provider on your weight gain goals. Track your pregnancy weight gain at the beginning and regularly throughout the pregnancy. Compare your progress to recommended healthy pregnancy weight gain ranges.
Eat a balanced diet high content of whole grains, vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products and lean protein. Use MyPlate plan to see the daily food group goals that are right for you at your stage of pregnancy. Limit added sugar and solid fat found in soft drinks, desserts, fried foods, whole milk and fatty meats. Most foods are safe to eat during pregnancy, but you should be careful with or avoid certain foods. Talk to your healthcare provider and visit Safer food choices for information on food safety.
Work up to or maintain at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) per week. 150 minutes may sound overwhelming, but you can break up your daily physical activity into smaller chunks of time. Physical activity is healthy and safe for most pregnant women. Talk to your healthcare provider about any physical activity restrictions. Learn more at Healthy pregnant or postpartum women or visit Move Your Way® campaign.
