Pregnancy: weight gain by mother and child
During the first three months after conception, a pregnant woman gains little weight. Some women even lose weight because they vomit frequently.
After the first trimester, however, a woman puts on quite a bit of weight. On the one hand, of course, the child becomes steadily heavier, on the other hand, physical changes in the woman herself lead to weight gain:
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Pregnancy: Table of the most important reasons for weight gain |
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Growing child |
3 to 3.5 kg |
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Increase blood |
approx. 1.2 kg |
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approx. 1 kg |
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approx. 0.3 to 0.6 kg |
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Musculature of the placenta (myometrium) |
approx. 1 kg |
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Uterus with contents |
3.9 to 4.5 kg |
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Water retention in tissue |
2 to 2.5 kg |
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Breast augmentation |
approx. 0.8 kg |
Optimal weight gain: Pregnancy
Current recommendations for healthy weight gain are usually based on a woman’s pre-pregnancy weight. To do this, the woman’s body mass index (BMI) is calculated as follows:
Body weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of the height (in square meters).
The BMI value is evaluated according to the following scale:
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5 kg/sqm
- Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 25 kg/sqm
- Overweight: BMI 25 to 30 kg/qm
- Obesity (Adiposity): BMI 30 kg/sqm and above
Pregnancy: How much weight can I gain?
For a normal-weight woman, the optimal weight gain is 10 to 16 kilograms. Underweight women should gain a little more weight at 12 to 18 kilograms. Experts advise overweight women to gain only 7 to 11 kilograms, and no more than 6 kilograms if they are severely overweight.
Gain weight slowly!
Gaining pounds too quickly is not advisable for pregnant women. After the first three months, the woman’s weight hardly changes, in the fourth to sixth month, between 250 and 300 grams per week should be gained. From the seventh month, pregnant women should not gain more than 400 grams per week.
By the way: The doctor often creates a weight curve from the regularly measured body weight of the pregnant woman for a better overview.
Pregnancy: Eating for two?
Pregnant women should therefore not consume double portions, but eat moderately. This helps to avoid too fast and too much weight gain during pregnancy. If too much weight is gained, the child could become diabetic, for example, and develop diabetes mellitus. Therefore, eat regularly, varied and balanced to take care of your and your child’s health.
Pregnant women with a little too much or too little on their ribs do not usually need to worry. As part of the medical prenatal care, her weight and the condition and well-being of mother and child will be checked regularly. The doctor will also give the expectant mother individual advice if her weight is too high or too low.
Pregnancy: abdominal girth
Pregnancy means a new person is growing in the mother’s belly. It goes without saying that this does not go hand in hand with a flat belly – even if current beauty ideals envisage slim model measurements even for pregnant women. But don’t let this put you under pressure! It is normal and, above all, necessary to gain weight during pregnancy.
Dangers for pregnant women who are overweight or underweight.
Only through the mother does the unborn child receive everything it needs for healthy development. Severe underweight can therefore impair the development of the child: The offspring receives too few nutrients and is born with too low a birth weight. There is also a risk of premature birth.
Severe obesity can also cause harm. For example, the risk of gestational diabetes is increased in pregnant women who are overweight. Extreme weight gain during pregnancy itself can also make you diabetic. The baby can also get diabetes if the mother was already overweight before pregnancy or gained too much weight during pregnancy.
Furthermore, complications can occur during birth if, for example, the baby became very large and heavy as a result of being overweight.
