Created by Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate
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:
- Underweight before pregnancy [BMI