How Many Kilos Should You Gain During Pregnancy?

It is a very common phenomenon that a woman wonders how many pounds she should gain during pregnancy. Taking into account the aspects concerning this topic will help you take the necessary precautions and lead a healthy gestation, both for you and for the baby.

Weight is one of the factors that is most taken into account during pregnancy, because it can be a sign of the presence of some pathology. However,  there is no standard measure of the extra weight a woman can gain during pregnancy. Consequently, how many pounds you should gain during pregnancy is a question whose answer varies from woman to woman.

The ideal is to avoid becoming obsessed with this topic and, instead, pay particular attention to what you eat. Because, of course, your diet affects your health and that of your little one.

Weight gain during pregnancy

When it comes to weight gain during pregnancy, there are a number of arguments and legends to consider. One of these is the state in which the mother was at the moment of conception.

In this sense,  gestation in a condition of extreme thinness or obesity becomes a risk factor. It is therefore necessary to take into account and pay attention to what is consumed, to ensure that the health of the little one is not damaged.

Other factors affecting weight gain are fluid retention and diet control. Furthermore, there are others to consider, such as, for example:

• The weight of the baby.
• The weight of the placenta.
• The amniotic fluid.
• The growth of the uterus.
• The blood flow.

• The weight of the breast tissue and the fat deposits.

How many pounds should you gain during pregnancy?

The answer to this question will depend on each pregnant woman, because each body and each pregnancy are different. Nevertheless,  the average established by experts on this topic ranges from 7 to 16 kilograms. Some bet on the classic kilo per month, while others bet on a suggested gradual increase as follows:

• In the first three months:  from 1.5 to 2 kilograms.
• For the second quarter: between 3 and 5 kilograms.
• In the final stage: an approximate gain of 1.5 kilos per month.

It is also suggested that if the patient was below her ideal weight, she could gain up to 16 pounds. With a normal weight, she could go up between 12 and 15 pounds, while an overweight girl can gain 6 to 10 pounds. Finally, in the case of obesity, the increase could be between 4 and 8 kilos.

The ideal is that the increase is due to a healthy diet that provides the necessary nutrients for the baby and for the mother.

How should the nutrition of a pregnant woman be?

As soon as you learn about your pregnancy, you need to start nourishing yourself with a healthy and balanced diet. In general, nutritionists recommend an increase in daily consumption based on the following values:

• First trimester: About 1800 calories per day.
• During the second trimester: 2200 calories.
• In the third trimester: about 2500 or 2600 calories.

This diet should be accompanied by daily exercises, based on the progress of the pregnancy. It is advisable that the gradual increase in consumption is mainly due to proteins and dairy products. The reason is due to the important function performed by these nutrients for the normal development of the fetus.

Recommendations for controlling weight gain during pregnancy

To avoid the uncertainties generated by wondering  how many pounds you should gain during pregnancy, it  is absolutely essential to keep the situation under control. For this control to be efficient, put the following recommendations into practice:

Balanced nutrition

Reduce the consumption of saturated fats and increase the consumption of omega 3 found in fish, nuts and flax seeds. These foods will promote the growth of the baby and the proper development of the central nervous system.

Undergo a gynecological check-up

A monthly gynecological check-up will help the obstetrician  evaluate the growth of the fetus and verify that a correct diet is being followed. It will also measure blood pressure levels to determine if there is any fluid retention.

Have some snacks

Snacking in the middle of the morning and during the afternoon will reduce your anxiety levels. In this way you will eat less and avoid an immeasurable weight gain.

In addition, it is convenient to drink two liters of water. Packaged fruit juices and fizzy drinks should be avoided, even if they are dietary, because they contain large amounts of sugar.

It is also important to do some physical activity, based on your state of health. This can be light walks, water dances or other activities, always under the supervision of professionals.

In summary, keeping in mind how many pounds you should gain during pregnancy will help you take the necessary steps to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Remember that you have to eat for two, but don’t eat twice as much.