Many doctors gain useful insight into the health of your baby by carefully monitoring your increase in weight during the forty weeks of pregnancy.
By eating a nutritious diet, you not only benefit your baby, but you are helping your doctor learn about the health of the baby before it is born.
If you eat junk food, or are used to eating fast food during working hours, stop now! Although it may be difficult to find time to eat, you will benefit the health of the baby by bringing lunch and nutritious snacks such as fresh fruit to the office with you. Avoid skipping meals simply because you 'don't have the time'.
The health of your baby is depending on your diet, so watch your calorific intake during pregnancy as well. This is not a time to experiment with different diets! You may be eating for two, but that is no reason not to eat sensibly!
Was your weight healthy for your height and age before you conceived? Find out using the table below, or use our body mass index calculator to determine your ideal preconception weight.
Average weight gain during pregnancy is between 24 - 35lbs (11 - 16kg). Most women burn an average of 2400 calories daily, and need to increase their calorific intake during pregnancy by about 300 - 800 calories. The following table shows appropriate weight gain during pregnancy by body type.
During your first trimester you can expect to gain about 3 - 8lbs (1.5 - 3.5kg). Many women do not put on any weight during the first trimester. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern unless you started your pregnancy underweight. Slender women should expect to put on more weight during trimester one, especially if they want to keep their doctors happy!
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During the second trimester an average weight gain of 10 - 15lbs (4.5 - 7kg) is expected. Research shows that insufficient weight gain during the second trimester may be an indication of intrauterine growth retardation or IUGR.
Weight gain during trimester three mirrors that of trimester two, but part of the increase in weight this trimester can be attributed to water retention or edema. Water retention during pregnancy is beneficial and a sign of a healthier fetus.
So if the average baby weighs 7.5lbs (3.4kg) at birth, have you ever wondered where all of the other weight goes? The following table breaks down pregnancy weight distribution.
Obesity is the cause of many pregnancy problems, including a substantially increased incidence of cesarean section. If you are obese, as determined by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and trying to conceive, talk to your doctor about losing weight before you start your pregnancy.
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