Most women expect to gain weight during their pregnancy, but many are not sure how much weight gain is normal and how much is a cause for concern. Gaining the right amount during pregnancy helps to ensure that the developing baby gets the required nutrients for optimal growth. Gaining too much or too little can be harmful to you the pregnant and your baby.

Dr. Brett Hodge

What is the average weight gain during pregnancy?
This will depend on a number of factors including the weight of the mother prior to her becoming pregnant.
A woman of average weight before pregnancy should gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Underweight women should gain 28-40 pounds during pregnancy. Overweight women may need only 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy. Your obstetrician or health care provider will be the ideal person to recommend your required weight gain during pregnancy.
It is not necessary to "eat for two" during pregnancy. It is true that you need extra calories from nutrient-rich foods to help your baby grow, but you generally need to consume only 100 to 300 more calories than you did before you became pregnant to meet the needs of your growing baby.
In general, you should gain about 2 to 4 pounds during your first three months of pregnancy and 1 pound a week for the remainder of your pregnancy. If you are expecting twins you should gain 35 to 45 pounds during your pregnancy. This would be an average of 1 ½ pounds per week after the usual weight gain in the first three months.
If you are expecting twins and began pregnancy at a normal weight, you should probably gain between 37-54 pounds over the nine months.

Losing weight during pregnancy
It is not safe to lose weight during pregnancy. You should not be dieting while you are pregnant. It is important to note that both you and your baby need the proper nutrients in order to be healthy. Going on diet not recommended by your doctor can be dangerous. Some pregnant women will lose weight during pregnancy due to a medical or obstetric disorder. If a pregnant woman is having regular prenatal care, weight loss trends should be identified and further evaluated and corrected.

Gaining too much weight during pregnancy.
If you find that you are gaining too much weight during your pregnancy, please see a qualified obstetrician. It is important that you eat a variety of foods despite the weight gain. The following might prove beneficial:
• When eating out at a fast food restaurant, choose lower fat items. Avoid fried foods such as French fries, or breaded chicken patties.
• Avoid whole milk products. You need at least four servings of milk products every day. Using skim (1%, or 2%)milk, will greatly reduce the amount of calories and fat you eat. Also choose low-fat or fat-free cheese or yogurt.
• Limit sweet or sugary drinks. Sweetened drinks such as soft drinks, fruit punch, fruit drinks, iced tea, lemonade, or powdered drink mixes provide many calories with little nutrients. Choose water, club soda, or mineral water to avoid extra calories.
• Do not add salt to foods when cooking. Salt causes your body to retain water.
• Limit sweets and high calorie snacks. Cookies, candies, donuts, cakes, syrup, honey, and potato chips provide many calories with little nutrition. Try not to eat these types of foods every day. Instead, try fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, and lower calorie snack and dessert choices.
• Use fats in moderation. Fats include cooking oils, margarine, butter, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, sauces, lard, sour cream, and cream cheese.
• Prepare meals using low-fat cooking methods. Frying foods in oil or butter will increase the calories and fat of that meal. Baking, broiling, grilling, or boiling are healthier, lower fat methods of cooking.
• Exercise. Moderate exercise, as recommended by your health care provider, can help burn excess calories. Walking or swimming is generally safe, effective exercises, for pregnant women. But be sure to talk to your health care provider before starting an exercise program.

Vegetarian Diets
If you are a vegetarian, you can continue your diet during your pregnancy. This might be very difficult here in Anguilla. You will need to plan your meals with care to ensure you get the nutrients you and your baby need. Please talk to your obstetrician about this. Be sure you are getting enough protein and that it is the correct type. Your obstetrician will probably recommend that you take supplements, especially iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
Conclusion
A balanced diet is a basic part of good health at all times in your life. During pregnancy, your diet is even more important. The foods you eat are the main source of nutrients for your baby. The exact amount of weight gain during pregnancy will depend a lot on your weight prior to becoming pregnant. It is important that you gain the correct weight during your pregnancy. Eating right during your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. If you have concerns about your weight gain or weight loss during pregnancy, please discuss them with your obstetrician or health care provider.

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