Pregnancy weight gain

Wonderful pregnant woman

Source: http://amys-nonsense.blogspot.com/

Do you know how much weight gain there is in the average pregnant woman?

source: http://newbornbaby.com.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-health-and-fitness/pregnancy-weight-gain/weight-gain-during-pregnancy/

The answer is …………..30 pounds.

Do you know where this additional weight distribution is in the average pregnant woman?

Now, I will show you how the additional 30 pounds is distributed in the average pregnant woman.

Fetus:                                      7.5 pounds

Placenta:                                1.5 pounds

Fluid volume:                            4 pounds

Uterus:                                     2 pounds

Breast tissue:                           2 pounds

Blood volume:                          4 pounds

Maternal stores of fat,

protein and other nutrients:    7 pounds

Amniotic fluid:                         2 pounds

TOTAL:                                     30 pounds

Actually, pregnant women have a recommended weight gain which is different based on BMI level prior to pregnancy to prevent low weight gain and excessive weight gain.

BMI Level                       weight gain recommendation                       

Low (<19.8):                    28-40 pounds

Normal (19.8-26):           25-35 pounds

Overweight (26-29):       15-25 pounds

Obese >29):                    15 pounds

If you have low weight gain, you are at high risk of perinatal mortality and fetal growth restriction. For example, if your BMI is low or underweight before pregnancy, the recommended gain is 2-5 pounds in the first trimester and 1 pound each week thereafter.

Source:http://obstetricblogs.blogspot.com/2011/06/growth-restricted-baby-patient.html

If you are  obese, you are at high risk of increased blood glucose levels, high C-reactive protein levels (a key marker of inflammation), increased blood concentration of insulin, insulin resistance, increased blood pressure, increased birth weight, prolonged labor, complicated delivery, birth trauma, and asphyxia. For example, if your BMI is is very high before pregnancy , the recommended gain is 2-5 pounds in the first trimester and 0.5 pounds  each week thereafter and you should never attempt weight loss during pregnancy.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6423649.stm

Reference:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/aboutpregweightgain.html

Nutrition Through The Life Cycle, BrownISBN 9780538733410Copyright 11Publisher Wad Edition 4

http://amys-nonsense.blogspot.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6423649.stm

http://obstetricblogs.blogspot.com/2011/06/growth-restricted-baby-patient.html

http://newbornbaby.com.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-health-and-fitness/pregnancy-weight-gain/weight-gain-during-pregnancy/