-
Putting on weight is a normal and unavoidable part of pregnancy. ‘Eating for two’ has become an often-repeated mantra that seems to have followed pregnant women around for decades, but while it sounds like it might make sense, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Every woman is different, and there are so many factors that affect how much weight you put on, but it’s true for all pregnant women that uncontrolled eating and weight gain can cause real problems down the track.
What’s the ideal amount?
The ideal amount of weight gain during pregnancy very much depends on your pre-pregnancy weight. It’s usually calculated based on your body mass index (BMI), but as a guide, women within the healthy weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9) should aim to gain somewhere between 11.5 and 16 kg. It’s recommended that women who are overweight or obese gain between 5 and 11.5 kg, whereas women who are underweight should look to gain between 12.5 and 18 kg.