Gaining weight during pregnancy is inevitable, and, more importantly, it’s healthy for you and your baby. It is a common misconception that you must “eat for two” during pregnancy in order to keep your baby well nourished and healthy, however, weight gain during pregnancy can be done in a safe and nutritional way without “eating for two.”
How Many More Calories Per Day Should I Be Eating?
Gaining weight in a healthy way during pregnancy involves eating only 100 to 300 more calories per day than you would normally. The average caloric intake recommended for females is around 2,000, so simply up that number to 2,300 each day and you’ll be gaining healthy weight for your baby. Be sure to consult your doctor before changing or altering your diet.
What Should I Be Eating?
In order to stay healthy and gain weight during your pregnancy, you should be eating five to six small meals a day. Remain conscious of what you’re eating, and keep it healthy. Eat fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, cheese and crackers, nuts and raisins. Feel free to add extra condiments to your meals to up your caloric intake. Add more peanut butter to your vegetables and toast in the mornings.
How Much Weight Should I Gain?
Ultimately, you should consult your doctor who can take the weight that you are at and come to a medical assessment of where you should be during pregnancy. However, in most cases you will gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Underweight women may need to gain more, while overweight women may need to gain less. This will be up to your doctor to suggest.
Can I Gain Too Much Weight During Pregnancy?
You most certainly can gain too much weight during pregnancy, which is why it is important to consult with your doctor regularly. Too much weight gain can lead to complications during delivery, and increases the rate of cesarean deliveries.
Whatever you do, it is not recommended that you attempt to lose weight during pregnancy. Trying to lose weight can lead to more complications and might directly affect your baby’s health and well-being.
Should I Work-Out During My Pregnancy?
Absolutely. Light work-outs with an experienced trainer will add many positives to your pregnancy. Taking a light walk or heading to the gym will get you out of the house, boost your mood by releasing endorphins, keep your blood flowing, and help you to sleep more soundly at night. Light exercise during pregnancy will also ease those daily aches and pains, and prepare your body for childbirth by building muscle. And, as an added bonus, working-out during pregnancy will also prepare your body for recovery after childbirth so that you will lose the weight more efficiently.
Where Does All This Weight Gain Go?
Your baby will account for seven to nine pounds of your weight gain, the rest will go to areas like breasts, uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, increased blood volume and fluid volume, and an extra six to eight pounds of fat storage.
How Much Weight Should I Gain If I’m Carrying Twins?
Weight gain during the pregnancy of twins is a topic that you should consult your doctor about. Many sources claim that weight gain should increase dramatically by 35 to 45 pounds, but it will take an assessment by your doctor to decide.
Overall, weight gain should be calculated by your doctor. He will take into account your Body mass Index before the first trimester and asses where you should be during each trimester after that. Weight gain can be difficult for some expectant mothers, but through eating healthy and exercising you and your baby will be well prepared for the date of delivery. More importantly, you will be starting your baby’s healthy habits from day one, and insuring your body will have a healthy recovery after childbirth.
