Is the thought of weight gain during your pregnancy a complete horror story?
The good news is that it is meant for the body to gain weight while your baby is cozy inside your belly. That said, it is also nice to have a guideline for how much you "should" gain while you are pregnant.
How much does a pregnancy weigh?
When the number on the scale increases week by week while you are pregnant, it can feel overwhelming. But it is not just fat that you are adding to your body – don't worry. It can be reassuring to have an overview of how many kilos are "going" to what.
Your pregnancy in numbers
Baby: approx. 3.5 kg
Uterus, placenta, and amniotic fluid: approx. 3.5 kg.
Increased blood and fluid in the body: approx. 2-4 kg.
Extra fat deposits: approx. 1-4 kg.
How much should you gain during a pregnancy?
It depends on what you weighed before you became pregnant. The higher your BMI was before pregnancy, the less you "should" gain and vice versa. BMI means Body Mass Index and is an indication of whether there is harmony between weight and height. As a rule, you only gain a little in the first trimester, after which it increases more strongly towards the end of the pregnancy.
BMI = weight (kilos) / height * height
First trimester (0-3 kg.)
Weight gain is typically between 0-3 kg. The baby does not weigh and take up much space yet, and you may not feel it yet. At this point, you may experience nausea. Some can manage it by eating a little all the time, while others can't keep food down. Many pregnant women also experience that their breasts become tender. They do because the body is already preparing to produce milk.
Second trimester (4-6 kg.)
Weight gain is typically between 4-6 kg. The baby is developing and gradually starting to grow and take up space. Therefore, the baby is now also included in the weight gain and not just the pregnant woman. The amount of blood increases while fluid accumulates in the body. The uterus also grows, and the amount of amniotic fluid increases.
Third trimester (4-6 kg.)
Weight gain is typically also between 4-6 kg. At the end of the pregnancy, the baby is growing steadily and well! And you can feel it in your body. The uterus grows further, and the amount of amniotic fluid increases. You may also experience fluid in the legs, hands, and feet, which also affects the number on the scale. The body is now burdened and heavy.
Overall, weight gain is between 10-15 kg if you were of normal weight before your pregnancy. You are of normal weight if your BMI is within 18.5 – 24.9.
Take it easy!
Our best advice is not to stress unnecessarily about the number on the scale. Trust your body's signals and primarily eat according to the health authority's dietary advice for pregnant women: follow the official dietary guidelines and increase the healthy options. And take supplements for pregnant women.
The health authority's official dietary advice:
- Eat plant-based, varied, and not too much
- Eat more vegetables and fruits
- Eat less meat – choose legumes and fish
- Eat food with whole grains
- Choose plant oils and low-fat dairy products
- Eat less of the sweet, salty, and fatty
- Quench your thirst with water
Read more about diet, dietary supplements, and foods you should limit or completely avoid during your pregnancy here.
