About Weight Gain

The recommended weight gain for most mothers is between 11.5 and 16 kg (25-35lbs.) This may seem like a lot of weight to gain when a healthy baby usually weighs only 3-4kg (7-9lbs.) You may be surprised that only 20 per cent of your weight gain is stored as body fat which will be used when breastfeeding. About 40 per cent of weight gained is for the baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. Increases in your blood, extra body fluids, breast tissue and uterus size make up the other 40 per cent.

The rate at which you gain weight during your pregnancy is very important. You should gain weight slowly during the first three months of pregnancy. After this, your baby begins to grow rapidly and you continue to build new tissues and stores. At this time, your rate of weight gain should be more rapid but steady - about 1/s kg (3/4-1 lb.) per week.