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No thanksQuestion: How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
Answer: The recommended weight gain for most pregnant women is 25 to 35 pounds (11.5 to 16kg). Gaining a healthy amount of weight gives you the best chance of having a healthy baby. If you were underweight or overweight before you became pregnant, or if you are younger than 17, talk to your Health Care Provider about the weight gain that is best for you. If you are pregnant with twins or triplets, your Health Care Provider will suggest a healthy amount of weight to gain.
If you eat well and stay active, you will have no problem gaining a healthy amount of weight. Let your appetite guide the amount of food that you need. Please remember, pregnancy is not a time for dieting. Dieting can harm you and your developing baby. The exact amount of weight gain for pregnant women is not as important as the quality of their diet. A balanced diet, following Canada's Food Guide (http://www.canadasfoodguide.org) and an extra amount of calories will usually lead to appropriate weight gain. Pregnant women in their first trimester need an extra 100 calories per day. During their second and third trimester, pregnant women need an extra 300 calories per day.
*Note: Women who enter pregnancy underweight have a greater chance of giving birth to low birth weight babies, while women who are overweight have a greater chance for developing high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy.
Question: 25 to 35 pounds seems like a lot of weight to gain while I'm pregnant. How will I ever lose it?
Answer: You may be surprised that only 5 to 8 pounds of this weight gain is fat. The fat is stored to give you the extra energy you will need while you are pregnant and for breastfeeding. Choosing to breastfeed may help you lose this weight faster. The rest of the weight gain is for the baby, placenta, blood and fluids.
