How to Calculate Weight Gain in Pregnancy
Carrying a bundle of joy also means carrying extra weight to help support your pregnancy. WebMD, an online resource for health and wellness, notes that a woman of an average weight before pregnancy should gain between 25 to 35 lbs. during the course of her pregnancy, while weight gain varies for women who are underweight or overweight. It’s important to monitor your weight gain during pregnancy to ensure that your average weight follows what your doctor outlines during your initial visits.
Step 1
Determine how much you weighed before you got pregnant. Take your height into consideration, as it helps you come up with your body mass index.
Step 2
Calculate your pre-pregnancy body mass index, or BMI, using a website such as Baby Center or The Baby Corner. These websites provide you with your BMI and let you know how much weight you should ideally gain during your pregnancy. If your BMI shows that you are overweight or obese, it’s suggested that you gain fewer than 25 to 35 lbs. during your pregnancy to avoid potential complications.
Step 3
Weigh yourself at the end of your first trimester to see how much weight you’ve gained. The American Pregnancy Association notes that during the first trimester, a woman who was a healthy weight before her pregnancy, will gain anywhere from 3 to 5 lbs., a woman who started her pregnancy underweight will gain 5 to 6 lbs. and an overweight woman might gain 1 to 2 lbs. Subtract your pre-pregnancy weight from your weight after the end of your first trimester to measure how much weight you’ve gained.
Step 4
Use a chart to track your weekly weight gain, once you reach your second trimester. Women who start their pregnancies at a healthy weight, or underweight, should gain 1 to 2 lbs. per week during their second trimesters, while overweight women should aim for 1 lb. per week. During the third trimester, expect to gain 1 to 2 lbs. per week as well. If you started your pregnancy overweight, expect to gain 1 lb. per week.
Step 5
Visit your doctor for all routine appointments to monitor your weight during your pregnancy, and to ensure that your weight gain is appropriate for a healthy pregnancy.
Step 6
Weight yourself during the last week of your pregnancy. Subtract that final number from your pre-pregnancy weight to get an idea of how much weight you’ve gained in total during your 9-month journey toward motherhood.
