top of page

Pregnancy and Your Changing Body

Content by: NCES, Inc.

If my baby is only going to weigh 7- 8 pounds, where does all that weight go?

Pregnancy and Your Changing Body

Calculator

Share Item

PDF

Presentation

Author

As you can see below, most of the weight gained during pregnancy goes to helping your baby grow!

Breaking it down:
Blood Volume = 3-4 pounds
Fluid = 3-6 pounds
Uterus = 2 pounds
Breasts = 1 pound
Body Stores = 4-8 pounds
Baby = 7-8 pounds
Placenta & Umbilical Cord = 2 pounds
Amniotic Fluid = 2 pounds

Calorie and weight gain recommendations are unique for every pregnancy and depend on a number of factors. All pregnant women should eat a variety of nutrient dense foods every day. A vitamin and mineral supplement may be necessary, if recommended by a doctor.


Weight gain recommendations are based on the pre-pregnancy BMI. BMI categories are broken down as follows:

Underweight: less than 18.5
Normal: 18.5-24.9
Overweight: 25-29.9
Obese: 30.0 and greater


Pregnancy Weight Gain Recommendations:

Underweight: 28-40 lbs
Normal: 25-35 lbs
Overweight: 15-24 lbs
Obese: 11-20 lbs


NOTE: Weight gain recommendations increase in pregnancies with multiples.

Quick Tips!

#1 In order to facilitate a healthy weight gain, it is recommended to gradually increase calorie intake throughout the pregnancy.

#2 Calorie needs also increase as the baby grows, and your body requires more energy to support this new life.

Next Steps.

1st trimester: Generally does not require any extra calories, just a nutrient dense diet.

2nd trimester: An extra 300-350 calories per day.

3rd trimester: An extra 400-450 calories per day.

Changes: Nutrition Facts Label

Review changes to the new FDA food label...

Changes: Nutrition Facts Label

8 Steps to Healthy Business Travel

Traveling for business can be challenging with extended hours on a plane, hectic agendas and long meetings with colleagues. You barely have time to sleep, let alone think about how you will find healthy foods to eat!

8 Steps to Healthy Business Travel

Take it to Heart

Heart disease is one of the Top 3 Chronic Conditions in the US. Help your clients and patients reduce their risk for developing heart disease with a great group presentation, that is accompanied by a handout! BONUS: The handout contains a QR code ...

Take it to Heart

bottom of page