Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator (2024)

home / / pregnancy weight gain calculator

Print

The Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator estimates a schedule for healthy weight gain based on guidelines from the Institute of Medicine.

  • US units
  • metric units

Recommended weight gain during pregnancy

Pregnancy can lead to significant changes to women's bodies and daily routines. One such change is weight gain to ensure that there are enough nutrients for the development of the fetus as well as to store enough nutrients in preparation for breastfeeding. While weight gain during pregnancy is normal and necessary, studies have shown that certain ranges of weight gain given a specific body mass index (BMI) result in more positive outcomes for both fetus and mother.1

Generally, it is recommended that pregnant women gain only 1-4 pounds during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and 1 pound per week during the remainder of the pregnancy. It is possible to achieve 1 pound per week by consuming an additional ~300 calories per day,2 which is roughly equivalent to eating an extra sandwich plus a glass of milk or a baked potato plus 2 ounces of meat plus an apple.

The Institute of Medicine provides a weight gain guideline based on Prepregnancy BMI, which is shown in the table below. But note that these are only recommendations and that weight gain between women varies. As such, a health care provider should be consulted to more accurately determine each person's specific needs.


Recommendations for total weight gain during pregnancy by prepregnancy BMI1

Prepregnancy
BMI (kg/m2)
CategoryTotal Weight
Gain Range
Total Weight Gain Range
for Pregnancy with Twins
<18.5Underweight28-40 lbs
18.5-24.9Normal Weight25-35 lbs37-54 lbs
25.0-29.9Overweight15-25 lbs31-50 lbs
>30.0Obese11-20 lbs25-42 lbs

Weight gain during pregnancy is not just attributed to the weight of the fetus. Most of the weight gain goes to the development of tissues that allow fetal development, growth, and prepare the body for breastfeeding. The table below is a list.


Pregnancy weight gain distribution2

Enlarged breasts1-3 pounds
Enlarged uterus2 pounds
Placenta1.5 pounds
Amniotic fluid2 pounds
Increased blood volume3-4 pounds
Increased fluid volume2-3 pounds
Fat stores6-8 pounds

Potential complications of suboptimal weight gain

There are adverse effects for either insufficient or excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Insufficient weight gain can compromise the health of the fetus and cause preterm, or premature birth; excessive weight gain can cause labor complications, giving birth to significantly larger than average fetuses, postpartum weight retention, as well as increase the risk of requiring a cesarean section (C-section).

What to eat during pregnancy?

What a person eats, or doesn't eat, during pregnancy can significantly affect the health of their baby. Although what a person should or shouldn't eat during their pregnancy is often heavily debated, and can be different between cultures, there is no particular formula that guarantees a healthy baby, and though a parent should be careful and cognizant of what they choose to put in their bodies, it is not absolutely necessary to follow some heavily strict, nutritional guideline during pregnancy. General advice for eating healthy applies, such as eating a balance of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Certain nutrients can, however, be particularly helpful for the growth and development of a healthy baby. Some of these will be discussed below.

Folate and folic acid:

Folate and folic acid can help prevent birth defects. Folate, in particular, protects against neural tube defects as well as potential abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord. It has also been shown to decrease the risk of premature birth. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin, and can be consumed in the form of supplements, or fortified foods. Aside from using supplements, folic acid can be consumed through eating certain leafy green vegetables (spinach), citrus fruits (oranges), dried beans, and peas.

Calcium:

Calcium helps support strong bones and teeth, and is also necessary for the proper day-to-day functioning of the body's circulatory, muscular, and nervous systems. Calcium can be found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. It can also be found in non-dairy foods such as spinach, salmon, broccoli, and kale.

Vitamin D:

Like calcium, vitamin D can help promote bone strength while also building the baby's bones and teeth. It can be found in fortified milk, orange juice, fish, and eggs, among other foods.

Protein:

Protein, while being important for your own health, is also highly important for the growth of the baby throughout pregnancy. Good sources of protein include lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, peas, nuts, and soy products, among others.

Iron:

Iron is another nutrient that is highly important for the development of your baby. A pregnant person should consume double the amount of iron than they otherwise would, because iron is essential for the body to produce more blood to supply oxygen to the baby. In the case where the mother is not consuming sufficient iron, the mother could suffer from iron deficiency anemia, resulting in fatigue, and increasing the risk of having a premature birth. Iron can be found in lean red meat, poultry, fish, iron-fortified foods, beans, and vegetables, among other foods. Iron from animal products is most easily absorbed through pairing iron from plant sources with foods or drinks that contain high amounts of vitamin C can increase the absorption of iron.

Most of the nutrients listed above can be obtained through some form of supplements, and taking prenatal vitamins is fairly common. Depending on your diet, you may consider speaking to a healthcare professional to determine if you should take a prenatal vitamin or any other special supplements.

Foods to avoid:

It is as important to avoid certain foods and activities during pregnancy as it is to consume foods with specific nutrients. Some of these include foods that are high in mercury, like many kinds of seafood. Generally, the bigger and the older a fish is, the more mercury it likely contains. The FDA recommends that pregnant women avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. The kinds of seafood that are generally considered safe include shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, anchovies, trout, cod, tilapia, and light canned tuna, among others.

Pregnant women should also avoid consuming foods that are raw, undercooked, or of course, contaminated. These include foods such as sushi, sashimi, and raw shellfish like oysters, scallops, and clams. Similarly, undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs should also be avoided, since pregnant women are at higher risk of food poisoning due to bacteria in undercooked foods.

Unpasteurized foods, which include many dairy products, should also be avoided since they can lead to food-borne illnesses.

Pregnant women also should not eat unwashed fruits and vegetables, again because of the potential for consuming harmful bacteria. Certain sprouts like alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean can contain disease-causing bacteria, and should be cooked thoroughly and not eaten raw.

Excess caffeine should also be avoided, since it can cross the placenta, and the effects on the baby are not well known. Herbal teas are also not well studied, and the effects they may have on the baby are not well known.

Under no circ*mstances should a pregnant woman consume alcohol, as no study has found a level of alcohol that has been proven to be safe during pregnancy. Alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. It also can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which can result in the development of intellectual disabilities as well as facial deformities.

Smoking should also be avoided before, during, and after pregnancy, as smoking during any of these periods can negatively affect the baby, as well as the mother. Smoking during pregnancy can result in many detrimental health outcomes, including premature birth, fetal death, cesarean section (which can cause maternal hemorrhage), and more. It has also been found to increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, birth defects such as altered brainstem development and lung structure as well as cerebral palsy. Some studies have further shown that smoking during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of the child being obese as a teen, and obesity has numerous undesirable implications for mortality and morbidity.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the foods that should be avoided during pregnancy, and if unsure, consult a medical professional. Generally, keeping yourself healthy while paying special attention to foods that are known to be beneficial or detrimental to babies, in particular, will give your baby a better chance of being healthy.


  1. Institute of Medicine. "Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining The Guidelines."
  2. Mayo Clinic. "Pregnancy weight gain: What's healthy?" https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-weight-gain/art-20044360?pg=1.
Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator (2024)

FAQs

What trimester do you gain the most weight? ›

Studies suggest an average gain of approximately 0.45 kg (1 lb) per week during the second trimester and a slightly lower gain of about 0.40 kg (0.9 lb) per week during the third trimester. These ranges pertain to normal pregnancies of women with various maternal ages, heights, and prepregnancy weights for height.

How much weight should a 130 lb woman gain during pregnancy? ›

A woman who was average weight before getting pregnant should gain 25 to 35 pounds after becoming pregnant. Underweight women should gain 28 to 40 pounds. And overweight women may need to gain only 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy.

How do I calculate how much weight I need to gain during pregnancy? ›

Pregnancy weight gain by week
  1. Pre-pregnancy BMI is less than 18.5: 1 (1 to 1.3) pounds per week.
  2. Pre-pregnancy BMI is 18.5 to 24.9: 1 (0.8 to 1) pounds per week.
  3. Pre-pregnancy BMI is 25 to 29.9: 0.6 (0.5 to 0.7) pounds per week.
  4. Pre-pregnancy BMI is 30 or higher: 0.5 (0.4 to 0.6) pounds per week.
Aug 9, 2022

How much weight gain by 19 weeks? ›

Recommended weight gain during pregnancy

Generally, it is recommended that pregnant women gain only 1-4 pounds during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and 1 pound per week during the remainder of the pregnancy.

How much weight do you lose immediately after giving birth? ›

How much weight do you lose after pregnancy? Most women lose around 13 pounds (6 kg) right after childbirth, which includes the baby's weight, as well as the weight of the amniotic fluid and placenta. When it comes to fat loss, with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you may lose about 1 pound (0.5 kg) a week.

How to slow down weight gain during pregnancy? ›

How Can Excess Pregnancy Weight Gain Be Treated?
  1. Eat a Healthy Diet. There are some healthy habits you can start at home to lose weight before becoming pregnant or to help manage your weight while pregnant. ...
  2. Get Regular Exercise. Regular, moderate exercise during pregnancy helps control your weight. ...
  3. Know What's Off Limits.

How much weight should you gain by 20 weeks pregnant? ›

On a trimester basis in a woman with normal pre-pregnancy weight: First trimester: 1-4.5 pounds. Second trimester: 1-2 pounds per week. Third trimester: 1-2 pounds per week.

How much should a 5'2" pregnant woman weigh? ›

Pregnancy Weight Guidelines
HeightUnderweight (BMI <18.5)Healthy Weight (BMI 18.5-24.9)
4'11”<9292-123
5'0”<9595-127
5'1”<9898-132
5'2”<101101-136
18 more rows

How much weight should you gain by 37 weeks pregnant? ›

In Summary
WeeksTrimesterPotential Weight Gain
1 to 131Weight loss or up to five pounds
14 to 272Up to 11 pounds, or so
28 to 363Up to 12 pounds, or so
36+3Weight loss or up to a few pounds
Apr 10, 2022

What is the optimal weight gain for an average pregnancy? ›

Most women should gain somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds (11.5 to 16 kilograms) during pregnancy. Most will gain 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms) during the first trimester, and then 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week for the rest of the pregnancy.

What is the guideline for pregnancy weight gain? ›

Normal weight women should gain 17–25 kg (37–54 pounds) at term. Overweight women should gain 14–23 kg (31–50 pounds) at term. Obese women should gain 11–19 kg (25–42 pounds) at term.

Is 1500 calories a day enough when pregnant? ›

For most normal-weight pregnant women, the right amount of calories is: About 1,800 calories per day during the first trimester. About 2,200 calories per day during the second trimester. About 2,400 calories per day during the third trimester.

When do you gain the most weight during pregnancy? ›

Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 28lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.

What is the average weight of a baby at 19 weeks pregnant? ›

Your baby now weighs around 240 grams and will be 15.3 cm long. It will be about the size of a pomegranate. By now you will be familiar with the movement of your baby in the womb and if you are not feeling any signs, relax. Soon you will be able to experience it.

How much does a placenta weigh at 40 weeks? ›

Body fluids = 3 pounds. Breasts = 2 pounds. Fat, protein and other nutrients = 6 to 8 pounds. Placenta = 1.5 pounds.

What trimester is greatest fetal weight gain? ›

During the final months of pregnancy, your baby gains the most weight. In fact, according to the American Pregnancy Association, a fetus weighs around 2 pounds at 27 weeks, 4 to 4 ½ pounds by 32 weeks, and grows up to between 6 ¾ pounds to 10 pounds, if you have a full-term delivery.

Do you gain more weight in first or second trimester? ›

Most women should gain somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds (11.5 to 16 kilograms) during pregnancy. Most will gain 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms) during the first trimester, and then 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week for the rest of the pregnancy.

What trimester does the fetus rapidly gain weight? ›

Fetal development continues during the third trimester. Your baby will open his or her eyes, gain more weight, and prepare for delivery.

How much weight do you gain at 32 weeks pregnant? ›

Mom-to-be: You've probably gained 22 to 28 pounds by now. Of the pound a week you're gaining now, roughly half is going to your baby. Smaller meals could feel more comfortable as your uterus crowds your belly. Tip of the Week: It's safe to keep having sex with your partner, though you may be too uncomfortable.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6171

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.