Weight gain during pregnancy: how much is too much?

(MENAFN- The Conversation) During a healthy pregnancy, women . This is normal and necessary.

But that excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases health risks for mothers and their children.

So how do you get the right balance?

in pregnancy is based on body weight and (BMI) prior to becoming pregnant. If your pre-pregnancy BMI is:

• less than 18.5, between 12.5 and 18 kg
• 18.5 to 24.9, aim to gain 11.5 to 16 kg
• 25.0 to 29.9, aim to gain 7 to 11.5 kg
• 30 or more, aim to gain just 5 to 9 kg.

Most weight gain occurs from week 13. For some women, body weight will not change too much during the first trimester of pregnancy, particularly for women who have had .

Further reading –

Weight gain recommendations are higher for those having twins, with the target range depending on the woman's pre-pregnancy BMI: 18.5-24.9 (weight gain: 17-25 kg), 25-29.9 (weight gain: 14-23 kg) and 30 or more (weight gain: 11-19 kg).

A found half the women gained too much weight. Even women who started pregnancy at a healthy weight (those with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9) typically gained too much weight.

found excessive weight gain was more common among women who were having their first baby.

Gaining too much weight in pregnancy can affect the mother's health. Excess weight gain has been linked to a higher risk of developing , , and .

It can also affect the health of the baby in both the short-term and in the future. In a review of one million pregnancies, mothers who gained too much weight in pregnancy were more likely to have compared to other mothers. Children of the mothers who gained too much weight were then at a as a child or adult.

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Excess pregnancy weight gain can also make it after the baby is born. Our that women who gained more weight than recommended retained, on average, an extra 4kg six months after their baby was born. Of concern is that this extra weight . Not shifting those extra few kilos after pregnancy increases the chances of developing obesity in the future.

Not gaining enough weight in pregnancy can . Weight gain below the recommendations is having a baby that is small for gestational age, or a preterm birth.

It's important for women not to try and lose weight during pregnancy. Dieting or limiting food intake could mean the baby doesn't get enough nutrients needed for their development.

1. Start a conversation with a doctor or midwife. While talking about weight during antenatal visits can make some pregnant women feel anxious, knowing how much weight is appropriate can help improve the pregnancy outcomes for women and their infants. Having this conversation is important because a doctor or midwife can provide support. They can also refer pregnant women to a or other service, if needed.

2. Track weight gain from early in pregnancy. Monitoring weight in pregnancy can help keep weight gain 'on track'. Try a pregnancy weight tracker; such as for women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of less than 25, or for women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of more than 25. Start recording weight as early in pregnancy as possible.

Remember every pregnancy is different, and the amount of weight gained each week won't be identical. But it's a great way to 'keep check' and see whether weight gain patterns are tracking above or below the recommendations.

3. Focus on healthy eating. It's a myth that . During the first trimester, dietary energy needs (measured in calories or kilojoules) are only slightly higher so the amount of food eaten should remain about the same. But nutrient requirements increase, particularly for folate, iodine and iron, so women need to be mindful of the nutritional quality of food eaten.

While more food energy is needed during the second and third trimester, the is less than most people think. It would be the equivalent of a sandwich (such as egg, beef, hummus or cheese), or a yoghurt and banana. Use the to calculate the recommended daily serves from the five food groups to give you an idea of .

Read more –

4. Exercise regularly. Being active is important during pregnancy. The the accumulation of 150 minutes of exercise each week. Many exercises are , such as walking, swimming, stationary cycling and pregnancy-specific exercise classes. Doctors, midwives, exercise physiologists and physiotherapists can provide advice about the best options.

5. Enlist the support of a partner and family. Having a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthily and being active is not just important for the mother and baby in pregnancy, but can also benefit other family members.

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