Weight gain during pregnancy

By Annemarie Aburrow RD

Coming to terms with weight gain in pregnancy and the lack of control this may bring can be a worrying time for some mums-to-be. For others, pregnancy can be seen as an excuse to eat what they want to, or 'eat for two'. However, gaining the right amount of weight is very important for the health of both you and your baby. This guide will help you determine how much weight you should be gaining, and debunk some of the myths you may have heard.

How much weight should I gain?

Most women put on between 8kg and 14kg. The majority of this is put on after week 20, and weight gain slows down around week 35. Although there are no official evidence-based UK guidelines for appropriate weight gain, American guidelines are generally accepted. In fact, the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recognise and quote these ranges in their guidelines for weight management before, during and after pregnancy (2010).

To identify how much weight you should be gaining during your pregnancy, you need to work out your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). This will tell you whether you were a healthy weight or not at the start of your pregnancy. To work out your pre-pregnancy BMI, simply divide the square of your height (in metres) by your pre-pregnancy weight (in kilograms). The NHS Choices website features a BMI calculator. Once you've worked yours out, use the guide below to see how much weight you should gain:


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