Weight gain during pregnancy is nature's way of providing nourishment for the growing fetus and its future requirement (breast milk). Most healthy women gain around 10-12 kgs or 25-30 pounds throughout the pregnancy. Apart from the baby's weight, this weight is shared by the placenta, amniotic fluid, bodily fluids of the mother, enlarged uterus, breasts and fat storage for breast feeding.
Most important part about the weight gain is that it must be gradual and derived from healthy eating. Weight gained from snacking on sweetened beverages, desserts and oily food will only add to the pregnancy woes and complicate labor. Too much weight gain can lead to pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, both of them being harmful for the baby. Studies have shown that babies born to overweight mothers have a greater chance of growing obese or overweight as adults. Also, this kind of weight will be difficult to shed post delivery. As for me, I had gained a little more than 10 kgs during my pregnancy and it took me one year to shed it in the normal process (light housework and breastfeeding).
On the other hand, too little weight gain may stunt the baby's developement as it would not be receiving the necessary nutrients for its growth. It some cases this may also result in pre-term labor or premature birth (delivery before 36 weeks of gestation) which can be life-threatning as such babies usually have an under-developed respiratory system.
Going by calorie requirements, pregnant women hardly need any extra calories during the first trimester. From the second trimester, an extra 300-350 calories per day is sufficient to gain around 1 pound per week or a more than 1.5 kg per month. This amounts to a extra serving of fruit, or an extra sandwich/cheese slice or even a glass of milk.
As the baby grows bigger by the last trimester, the calories consumed should be increased to around 350-400 per day. Again this can be derived from a extra portion of grilled chicken/cheese slice or even an extra serving of fish ( proteins being the main requirement at this stage ).
Most important part about the weight gain is that it must be gradual and derived from healthy eating. Weight gained from snacking on sweetened beverages, desserts and oily food will only add to the pregnancy woes and complicate labor. Too much weight gain can lead to pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, both of them being harmful for the baby. Studies have shown that babies born to overweight mothers have a greater chance of growing obese or overweight as adults. Also, this kind of weight will be difficult to shed post delivery. As for me, I had gained a little more than 10 kgs during my pregnancy and it took me one year to shed it in the normal process (light housework and breastfeeding).
On the other hand, too little weight gain may stunt the baby's developement as it would not be receiving the necessary nutrients for its growth. It some cases this may also result in pre-term labor or premature birth (delivery before 36 weeks of gestation) which can be life-threatning as such babies usually have an under-developed respiratory system.
Going by calorie requirements, pregnant women hardly need any extra calories during the first trimester. From the second trimester, an extra 300-350 calories per day is sufficient to gain around 1 pound per week or a more than 1.5 kg per month. This amounts to a extra serving of fruit, or an extra sandwich/cheese slice or even a glass of milk.
As the baby grows bigger by the last trimester, the calories consumed should be increased to around 350-400 per day. Again this can be derived from a extra portion of grilled chicken/cheese slice or even an extra serving of fish ( proteins being the main requirement at this stage ).
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