Weight gain during pregnancy by week
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Created by Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate Show Reviewed by Rijk de Wet and Aleksandra Zając, MD Based on research by “Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines“ (2009) Last updated: Jul 22, 2022 What's the average pregnancy weight gain week by week? Where do all the extra pounds go? Keep on reading to find all the answers! 💡 This article is a part of a bigger series, based on our pregnancy weight gain calculator. We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, this tool can never replace a professional doctor's assessment. If any health condition bothers you, consult a physician. How much weight should I gain?Your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) determines the amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy. BMI is the simplest way to assess somebody's weight and figure and compare it to the general population. However, one thing might be tricky — BMI and its implications does not apply to pregnant women! That's why we usually record the woman's weight before pregnancy and then monitor its growth rate throughout every week of pregnancy. Remember, the formula for BMI is: BMI=weight [kg](height [m])2\text{BMI} = \frac{ \text{weight [kg]} }{ (\text{height [m]})^2 } Your recommended weight gain depends on your pre-pregnancy BMI:
First things firsts: eating for two might not be such a good idea. Your diet should increase by only 300 kcal, starting at the beginning of the second trimester, and grow up to 500 kcal when you begin breastfeeding. 🍼 As you can imagine, all the weight gain during pregnancy must serve a specific purpose. You're not wrong: all that mass goes into the birth weight of the baby, and also allows the gestation to thrive and survive. In a typical healthy pregnancy, an average woman needs to gain around 25–35 pounds (11.3–15.9 kg). Let's break it down pound by pound!
Pregnancy weight gain breakdown by weekAchieving a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is not that difficult! Trust your body, exercise, and eat well. Don't get too attached to them sweets; turn to veggies and nuts instead. Keep in mind that the growth rate is different for every pregnancy. There is no single ideal way in which pregnant women gain weight - try to avoid comparing yourself to other future mums! However, there's one specific thing that should catch your attention: an extremely rapid weight gain exceeding 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) per week. Track your weight, and contact your health care provider if you realize you're gaining pounds way too fast. Here are the estimates of growth rates for the average singleton pregnancy. Remember: they do not have to fit your case entirely!
One available study broke it down to even finer pieces:
Visit the calculator on your left for more specific calculations! Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate BBTBirth controlBishop score… 29 more What weeks do you put on most weight in pregnancy?Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 28lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.
How much weight do you gain during pregnancy week by week?Steady weight gain is more important in the second and third trimesters — especially if you start out at a healthy weight or you're underweight. According to the guidelines, you'll gain about 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week until delivery.
How much weight should I have gained at 20 weeks?As you near the end of your first trimester, and begin the second, weight gain is expected to increase. Some providers like to see women with a "healthy" BMI prior to pregnancy, gain 10 pounds by 20 weeks. During the second and third trimester, guidelines often suggest gaining 1/2 to 1 pound per week.
How much weight should I have gained by 30 weeks?Pregnancy weight gain by week. |
