by Sarah Guy

Created on: October 25, 2009

We've all heard anecdotal stories about some woman who barely gained any weight during her pregnancy, or seen tabloid pictures of a skeletal celebrity barely showing at seven months. For the vast majority of women, however, weight gain is an inevitable part of having a baby. Though we are culturally ingrained to value thinness, in truth the weight gained during pregnancy is a positive thing, because it means the baby is growing and receiving the nourishment it needs. Babies born to women who gain less than twenty pounds tend to be small for their gestational age (SGA) and are considered malnourished. For a woman of average weight, it is recommended that she gain 25 to 35 pounds over the course of her pregnancy. Women who were overweight prior to getting pregnant should gain between 15 and 25 pounds, while those who were underweight can safely gain a little more (up to 40 pounds).

Pregnant women often joke about 'eating for two,' but in actuality an expectant mother only needs to consume about 300 extra calories each day. Appropriate weight gain will occur without excessive eating. Though some women have trouble gaining weight in the first trimester due to morning sickness, weight gain should be steady throughout the pregnancy. Luckily 'baby weight' doesn't collect solely in our fat cells; an average woman can expect her weight gain to break down as follows:

-Baby: 7-8 pounds
-Placenta:1-2 pounds
-Amniotic Fluid: 1 pound
-Uterus: 2 pounds
-Breast tissue: 2 pounds
-Maternal blood: 4 pounds
-Excess fluids: 4 pounds
-Maternal fat and nutrient stores: 7 pounds

Many women experience strong cravings while expecting, and heavy indulgence in decadent cravings can lead to excessive weight gain. Generally, however, it doesn't hurt to give in to the occasional craving- provided it is not for, say, liquor or sushi! Gestational diabetes can predispose a woman for greater weight gain during pregnancy, particularly if she does not follow her doctor-prescribed diet.

Although weight gain is expected during pregnancy, and many women enjoy the excuse to do some guilt-free indulging, it's important not to get carried away. Gaining too much weight can be hazardous to your health, and may make it difficult to lose the extra weight after giving birth. Your obstetrician will monitor your weight gain at each prenatal appointment, and will let you know if you are gaining weight too quickly. You should never try to lose weight while you are pregnant; however, there are plenty of safe strategies for slowing your weight gain.

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