Your Pregnancy and Your Weight Gain

Pregnancy is not a time to lose weight. It is a time when you need to eat foods from all five food groups for the growth and development of your baby. Thirty to forty years ago, doctors instructed pregnant women to gain no more than 15 to 20 pounds altogether. Low birth weight babies and other problems were much greater than expected. Because of this and other research, weight gain standards have been changed.

Although it is very important for you to gain enough weight, weight gain above the recommended level may be hard to lose after your baby is born. Find the section which lists your weight before pregnancy later on this page. The chart will tell you which of the following categories is yours.

Underweight
If you are underweight, studies show you need to gain 30 to 40 pounds during your pregnancy. The first trimester (0-13 weeks pregnant) you should gain 4 to 5 pounds. After this time you should gain one pound a week.

Normal Weight
You should gain 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy. During the first trimester (0 to 13 weeks pregnant) you should gain 2 to 4 pounds. After this time you should gain 3/4 to 1 pound a week.

Overweight
You should gain at least 15 pounds, but no more than 25 pounds during your pregnancy. During the first trimester (0 to 13 weeks pregnant you should gain 2 to 3 pounds. After this time you should gain 1/2 to 3/4 pound a week. Remember, a large weight gain can lead to long-term obesity.

Twins
Current research suggests you should gain 40 to 50 pounds if you are pregnant with twins. You may need to include extra snacks or eat six meals toward the end of your pregnancy, since you'll have very little room to eat large meals.

In Conclusion
Remember, weight gain is very important during your pregnancy. Try to follow the suggested guidelines so you can have the healthiest baby possible. If you have questions, please ask your doctor, dietitian, or nurse.

Which category did you fit into before you became pregnant?

Height	Underweight Less than	Normal Weight	Overweight More than
4'10''	94 #	94 - 124 #	124 #
4'11''	98 #	98 - 120 #	129 #
5'0''	100 #	100 - 135 #	135 #
5'1''	105 #	105 - 140 #	140 #
5'2''	108 #	108 - 143 #	143 #
5'3''	112 #	112 - 147 #	147 #
5'4''	115 #	115 - 152 #	152 #
5'5''	119 #	119 - 156 #	156 #
5'6''	123 #	123 - 161 #	161 #
5'7''	126 #	126 - 165 #	165 #
5'8''	130 #	130 - 171 #	171 #
5'9''	133 #	133 - 175 #	175 #
5'10''	138 #	138 - 181 #	181 #
5'11''	141 #	141 - 185 #	185 #
6'0''	146 #	146 - 192 #	192 #

Dietary Considerations

Use these guidelines for planning your daily diet while pregnant.

Grain Products

• 6 to 11 servings a day
• Grain products provide energy, vitamins and minerals.
• Whole grain products, like whole wheat breads, are good sources of folic acid.
• Limit pastries, doughnuts, and cookies because they are high in fat.
• Choose these Grain Products
  • 1 slice whole grain bread
  • 3/4 cup ready to eat enriched cereal
  • 1/2 cup oatmeal, grits, cooked wheat
  • 1 pancake or waffle
  • 1/2 cup spaghetti or noodles
  • 1/2 cup rice, enriched or brown
  • 2 tortillas
  • 1 pita
  • 1 muffin
  • 4 soda-type crackers
  • 2 rice cakes

Vegetables

• 3 to 5 servings a day
• Vegetables provide vitamins and minerals.
• Leafy green vegetables and beans are good sources of folic acid.
• Fresh vegetables are best, but frozen or canned vegetables are okay.
• Avoid fried vegetables like french fries.
• Choose these Vegetables
  • 1 cup brussels sprouts
  • 1 cup broccoli
  • 1/2 cup spinach
  • 1 cup collard greens, kale or cabbage
  • 1/2 cup carrots
  • 1/2 cup squash
  • 1/2 cup eggplant
  • 1/2 cup green beans
  • 1/2 cup sweet peas
  • 1/2 baked potato
  • 1 small sweet potato
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 4-6 asparagus spears

Fruits

• 2 to 4 servings a day
• Fruits provide vitamins and minerals.
• limit fruit drinks with added sugar. Real fruit juice has more of the vitamins you need.
• Choose these Fruits
  • 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup orange or grapefruit juice
  • 1-1/4 cups cubed watermelon
  • 3/4 cup strawberries
  • 1 small banana
  • 1 apple
  • 1 guava
  • 2 tbs. dried fruit

Milk and Milk Products

• 2 to 3 servings a day (Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, teenagers and young adults need 3 servings of milk and milk products daily )
• Calcium builds bones and teeth.
• limit non-dairy milk substitutes. Coffee creamers and condensed milk have low nutritional value.
• If you can't digest the sugar in milk, or are lactose-intolerant, there are special products in the dairy section you can buy.
• Choose these Milk and Milk Products
  • 1 cup milk: whole, lowfat, skim, powdered, or buttermilk
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 2 1" cubes cheese
  • 1 cup pudding or custard
  • 1-1/2 cups soup made with milk
  • 1 cup ice milk or ice cream

Meat and Protein Foods

• 2 to 3 servings a day
• Protein builds strong muscles and blood.
• Liver is an excellent source of folic acid.
• Limit high fat and processed meats such as hot dogs, bologna, sausage, spare ribs,
• corned-beef hash, turkey wings and bacon.
• Choose these Meat and Protein Foods
  • beef
  • lamb
  • pork
  • liver
  • chicken
  • turkey
  • fish
  • shellfish
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup baked beans
  • 1 cup dried peas/beans
  • 1 cup tofu
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup nuts

See related Patient Textbooks about Obstetrics and Gynecology.

See related Patient Topics Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Reproduction, Weight Loss/Dieting or Women's Health.

See related Provider Textbooks about Obstetrics and Gynecology.

See related Provider Topics Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Reproduction or Women's Health.

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