How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

Although during pregnancy you should reach the nutritional needs of you and your baby, it is not true that you should eat for two

Getting too much or too little weight during pregnancy can be harmful to the health of both the mother and the baby. That is why, depending on your health status and your body mass index (BMI) prior to pregnancy, there is a recommended weight that you should reach.

Leer en español: ¿Cuánto peso debo ganar durante el embarazo?

According to inatal, the BMI is calculated from height and weight and is used to determine whether a person is at their normal, underweight or obese weight. This index also indicates the following on how weight gain should be managed during pregnancy:

• THIN: BMI less than 20 – Increase up to 27.5 lb
• NORMAL: BMI between 20 and 25 – Increase of 25.3 lb
• OVERWEIGHT: BMI between 25 and 30 – Increase of 15.4 lb
• OBESA: BMI between 30 and 40 – Increase of 15.4 lb

This weight gain should be done progressively. For example, in the first trimester of pregnancy it is advisable to earn between 1.10 and 3.30 lb; in the second trimester, an increase between 7.7 and 8.8 lb of weight is recommended and in the third trimester, due to the development of the fetus, an increase of 11 to 12.12 lb is recommended.

Then, according to what Dr. Andrés Pons, gynecologist, and obstetrician of Clínica Las Condes, maintains, "In general terms, pregnant women should increase between 15.4 and 26.4 pounds in total. Within that range, a woman who is underweight should approach 26.4 pounds, while one who is overweight should be closer to 15.4 pounds."

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You should know that most of this weight does not correspond to fat, but it is related to the baby, the placenta, the breast tissue, the amniotic fluid, the blood supply, the growth of the uterus and some fat deposits.

Weight control during pregnancy is extremely important because women with obesity are at higher risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, premature birth or cesarean section and children with birth defects and childhood obesity.

How should I feed?

• Avoid foods and drinks with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are always a good choice because they provide you with vitamins and are low in calories and fat.
• Avoid junk food snacks, such as chips, candy, cakes, cookies, and ice cream.
• Do not skip meals. Eat in small quantities and more often.
• Eat healthy fats for you and your baby, such as nuts, flaxseed, sunflower oil, and fish such as salmon and tuna.

LatinAmerican Post | Luisa Báez

Translated from: '¿Cuánto peso debo ganar durante el embarazo?'

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