Healthy Pregnancy Weight Gain

Healthy weight gain during pregnancy is important. It helps:

• Your baby to grow 
• Your uterus and placenta to grow 
• Your breasts to get ready for breastfeeding 
• Your blood volume increases so it carries nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby.

What is a healthy pregnancy weight gain?

A healthy pregnancy weight gain depends on your height and your weight before you became pregnant. Most pregnant women should gain between 11.5 and 16 kilograms (25 to 35 pounds). If you were overweight before getting pregnant, your health care provider may recommend gaining only 7 to 9 kg (15-25 lbs) during pregnancy.

During your first trimester, your weight gain should be between 1 to 2 kg (about 2 to 4 lbs). Most of the weight gain happens in the second and third trimesters. Talk about healthy weight gain during pregnancy with your health care provider before your pregnancy or very early in your pregnancy. Together you can decide what to expect for a healthy weight gain per trimester. Eat “twice as healthy”, not “twice as much”.

You and your baby will benefit if you choose healthy foods and are active during your pregnancy.

A healthy pregnancy weight gain helps you to:

• Have lower risk of complications in pregnancy and during delivery. 
• Feel healthier and have more energy. 
• Be at a healthier weight faster after the baby is born.

A healthy pregnancy weight gain helps your baby to:

• Have a better chance of being born at a healthy weight. 
• Have lower risk of complications at birth. 
• Spend less time in the hospital. 
• Have a lower risk of diabetes and disease later in life.