Pregnancy weight, Weight gain during Pregnancy

When you become pregnant it is inevitable you will put on a little weight, as your body is growing and changing to accommodate the baby, and your normal health and fitness plans will have to go on hold for a while.

Most of the weight will come from the baby itself, who will reach around 7lb towards the end of the pregnancy, and also from the developing muscles of your uterus, which will strengthen in preparation for the birth and could weigh up to an extra 2lb. Also the placenta, which is protecting and nourishing your baby weighs around 1lb, your breasts increase ready for milk production and your fluid volumes increase (including the amniotic fluid in the uterus) to a further 5lbs or so. It is also more than likely you will put on a little weight for yourself as well, as breast feeding and looking after a newborn takes a lot of energy, and your body will be laying down a little extra fat in preparation for this.

By the end of a normal pregnancy it is usual to put on around 2 stone in total, but of course this will vary a lot depending on your circumstances and your original body mass index (BMI). Your midwife or GP will calculate your BMI for you at the start of your pregnancy, and this in turn help estimate what a normal pregnancy weight gain should be for you. As a general rule if your BMI is high to start with, around 30 (clinically overweight) then you should be aiming for a slightly lower overall weight gain of around a stone, as you will be more at risk from developing high blood pressure and gestational diabetes if you put on too much additional weight during pregnancy. Whatever you BMI though you will need to stick to a well balanced, healthy diet in order to provide the right nutrients for both you and your baby.

If you are diabetic that it is even more important for you to manage and maintain you weight, so if you are thinking of becoming pregnant you should see you diabetic nurse or health advisor to ensure your BMI is at a normal level before you conceive. If you are already pregnant then you will need to take extra care to keep your blood sugar levels under control, and most health services will provide specialist care for those women who already suffer from, or develop diabetes during pregnancy.

It is important to control your weight during pregnancy, because all the stresses and strains of looking after your new family can make it very difficult to return to a normal health and fitness plan after you have given birth, and lose any additional pregnant weight. During pregnancy you should eat sensibly, and aim to take in no more than 2,500 calories a day. This should include the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day, and a good range of food from across all the groups including proteins such as meat, fish and pulses, dairy, and carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. You can have the odd sugary treat now and again, but limiting your intake of high sugar and fatty foods can help you keep your pregnancy weight gain under control.

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