Weight gain in pregnancy - normal amount?

Question

Okay so I want to start this by saying in no way am I trying to shift focus away from my growing baby, and I’m not trying to obsess about my weight. I know I will gain weight in pregnancy but I’m really struggling to find what a “normal” and “healthy” amount is.
This time last year I weighed 167lbs (I’m 5ft 4, which put me into the top end of the ‘overweight’ BMI) I spent the year losing weight and when I got pregnant in August I weighed 147lbs, which put me right at the bottom of the overweight category and almost into the healthy weight category.
In my first trimester, I lost another 9lbs (mainly due to hardly eating anything as I felt so sick) which took me down to 138lbs and bang into the healthy weight category.
I’m now at 21 weeks, have had my appetite back for a few weeks and weighed myself this morning. I’m back up to 152lbs. This puts me at 5lbs higher than when I found out I was pregnant, and 14lbs higher than my lowest weight in the first trimester.
I’m only halfway through my pregnancy... have I gained too much? I’ve read that most of your weight goes on after 20 weeks so I’m worried I’ve already gained too much and it will be harder to lose again.
Please no comments about how I’m being selfish worrying about my weight when I should be worrying about my baby. I’m not going to do anything that would affect my baby’s health but at the same time I want to be healthy for when she arrives.

Answer

You are not selfish. It is smart to look at your weight, as it affects your baby as well. 
But: weight gain is very different among women. We are somewhat similar: I reached my starting weight around week 20, then gained quickly (too quick for the "normal"-range). After 9kg in 2 months it just stopped. Now I haven't gained a pound in the whole december (week 33 starts tomorrow).
My doctor looked at it today and was fine with it.
Look more at nutrution and light sports than at weight gain. And don't worry too much. AND don't apologize.

Answer

You’ve technically only gained 5 pounds so nonyoure good. But you will gain most of the weight starting in a few weeks

Answer

I still have like 9+ to go and gained 40+  😵so I think you're doing way better than I am!

Answer

I'm nearly 39 weeks and I just gained 5lbs in one week. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Puts me up to 24lbs weight gain so far and its hard to see the scale say 160 because prepregnancy I had just finally gotten down to my healthy weight of 135 after being 175 for a while and I was really enjoying my body and how good I felt. I know its going to be worth it and 24lbs isnt that bad but 5lbs in one week was rough to see. 😐

Answer

I gained 55 pounds 😳

Answer

I read that if you’re already over weight, you should gain 15 pounds throughout the entire pregnancy and 20-25 if you’re at a normal weight. I’m so glad you brought this subject up as it is mainstream to “eat whatever you want” while pregnant, even though that’s what’s actually NOT healthy!

Answer

I worry about weight. But i worry I’m not doing enough. I am plus sized so apparently I will not gain as much. I lost half a stone in the first 16 weeks. I had no appetite and morning sickness. I have put on a couple but I’m still below my starting weight. So I worry about baby. I feel I am eating enough. So far he’s measured really well so I guess he’s getting what he needs.

Answer

I am similar to yourself..... I weighed 14 stone 1 (that's a lot lol) when I had my first appointment with midwife. Now at 36 weeks I've only gained 3 pounds so that leads me to believe I have lost weight (a considerable amount too as my bump is huge lol) guess I won't know exactly until he is born

Answer

It's common for weight to fluctuate that quickly when you lose it due to illness and when you gain it due to pregnancy. Try not to stress too much about the numbers but focus on eating healthy. My doctors gave me a weight gain goal but it's looking like I'm past that already and they said it's not a big deal. Certainly no reason to diet or anything until after the baby is born.

Answer

Hello. First of all it’s not at all wrong to be watching your weight gain and be concerned about gaining too much fat. That’s a healthy way to approach things! Your health is important for both you and the baby so don’t worry about needing to explain it. I was wondering about this too and I’m also in my second trimester. I just had a chat with my doctor earlier about it and we checked my weight. It’s hard to calculate where the weight is coming from as it comes from lots of places (extra blood, placenta etc). What you can do is look up what all those things added together equals plus, assuming you are not particularly under/overweight then I think the fat gain should be an extra couple of pounds so you can work out how much fat you are approximately gaining on top. Ask your doctor or midwife if they are happy with it as well :) x

Weight gain in pregnancy - normal amount?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products