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Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Weight gain in pregnancy varies from woman to woman. It also depends on body type. Talk with your healthcare provider about the amount of weight gain that's best for you. Also talk with your provider about what to eat and the best ways to get exercise in pregnancy.

Recommendations for pregnancy weight gain by BMI

Prepregnancy body mass index (BMI)	Total gain range	Rate of gain in 2nd and 3rd trimester
Less than 18.5 (underweight)	28-40 lbs	1 (1-1.3) lbs/week
18.5-24.9 (normal weight)	25-35 lbs	1 (0.8-1) lbs/week
25.0-29.9 (overweight)	15-25 lbs	0.6 (0.5-0.7) lbs/week
greater than 30.0 (obese)	11-20 lbs	0.5 (0.4-0.6) lbs/week

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Here's how weight gain by the end of pregnancy is distributed:

Baby	7.5 pounds
Maternal energy stores (fat, protein, and other nutrients)	7 pounds
Fluid volume	4 pounds
Breast enlargement	2 pounds
Uterus	2 pounds
Amniotic fluid	2 pounds
Placenta	1.5 pounds
Blood	4 pounds

Source: The March of Dimes

Online Medical Reviewer: Donna Freeborn PhD CNM FNP
Online Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC
Online Medical Reviewer: Irina Burd MD PhD

Date Last Reviewed: 3/1/2023