Weight gain is one of the factors that’s being looked into by your doctors on every prenatal check up from first to third trimester of pregnancy. Keeping an eye on your weight is also one way of ensuring that your baby inside the tummy is growing well and you, as the mother, is getting ready for a safe delivery that’s about to happen. So, how much weight should you gain through out your pregnancy? And what are the factors affecting your weight gain? These and all other related questions that’s important to know will be discussed in this article.
Gaining Weight
It is said that the number of how much weight you could put on from first to third trimester varies from one mommy to another. Some mommies won’t seem to gain much weight during first trimester (1-3 months). There are even mommies who would lose weight during this period because of severe morning sickness. Gaining weight will usually become much more regular and noticeable by the time you reach 2nd trimester. Some would gain most weight during their 3rd trimester already. Here’s how much weight you should put into all through out your pregnancy.
Underweight Woman – 25 to 40 lbs
Regular Body Type Woman – 25 to 35 lbs
Obese Woman – 15 to 25 lbs
Factors Contributing Weight Gain in Pregnancy
When you gain weight during pregnancy, it is no longer just your personal weight anymore but there are also contributing factors that causes the increase of your weight. These are:
•Amniotic fluids and placenta inside your belly
The placenta is what provides your baby’s oxygen and nutrients as he grows inside your tummy while the amniotic fluids is the fluid that surrounds your baby as he develops inside the uterus.
•Baby’s weight
The weight of the growing baby contributes to the total weight there is in you. The doctors set target weights to increase during pregnancy depending on your weight when you were still not pregnant. Once, my OB-Gyne told me it is better that your baby’s weight is not that much. That means your baby is not that big. So there is a greater possibility that you can successfully deliver him through natural viganal birth. The bigger the baby is, the more possibility of hardship that may lead to C-Section.
•Excess Fluid Produced in the Body
When you reach 2nd to 3rd trimester of pregnancy, you will experience swelling of feet, hands and sometimes face. This is called Edema. The purpose of this produced extra fluid is to soften your body to expand for the baby. During 3rd trimester, it becomes very noticeable and it contributes to your total weight.
Gaining weight during pregnancy is important to make sure that you and your baby is well and developing. However, make sure that you will just gain the needed weight and won’t exceed that much in order for you to avoid possible complications that may arise. Have a self control and exercise when possible. Stay healthy mommy!
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