Pregnancy is an important stage associated with the formation and development of the fetus. Besides the joy of being a mother, many women pay more attention to health, weight gain during pregnancy is the top concern. According to experts, weight gain is necessary but needs to be suitable for each person's physical condition and health condition.
Dr. Bhumesh Tyagi, General Internal Consultant at Shardacare, Health City (Noida, India) said that weight gain during pregnancy not only reflects the physiological changes of the mother but also contributes to nurturing the fetus, while helping the body prepare for childbirth and the latter stage of breastfeeding.
Why is weight gain during pregnancy necessary?
The weight gain during pregnancy is not simply fat accumulation. Most of this weight is distributed to the development of the fetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, and increased blood volume and body fluids. In addition, the mother's body also needs to accumulate a certain amount of fat to serve postpartum lactation.
According to Dr. Tyagi, insufficient weight gain can increase the risk of premature birth or underweight children. Conversely, excessive weight gain is associated with the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, cesarean section and complications during childbirth.
Recommended weight gain by BMI
Doctors often rely on the pregnancy body mass index (BMI) to make appropriate recommendations. According to the guidance of the American Institutes of Medicine (IOM):
Women with underweight (BMI below 18.5): should increase by about 12.5–18 kg
Normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9): increase of 11.5–16 kg
Overweight (BMI 25–29.9): increase 7–11.5 kg
Obesity (BMI from 30 and above): increase of 5–9 kg
These levels can vary depending on health conditions, twin pregnancy, or accompanying medical conditions, so they need to be specifically monitored by a doctor.
How does weight gain take place in each stage?
In the first three months, many women gain very little weight, usually only from 0.5–2 kg, because the fetus is still young and may have morning sickness. In the second trimester, weight usually increases steadily by about 0.5 kg per week. In the last trimester, the weight gain rate continues to stabilize to meet the rapid development needs of the fetus.
How to control weight gain healthily?
Experts recommend that pregnant women should focus on nutrition and lifestyle instead of worrying too much about weight. The diet needs to be nutritious, prioritizing whole grains, lean protein, green vegetables and fruits.
Pregnant women do not need to eat too much, but only need to supplement about 300 calories per day in the second half of pregnancy. Combining light exercise and regular prenatal check-ups helps control weight and monitor fetal development.
