How to Chart Your Pregnancy Weight Gain
Pregnancy is one time in your life when it's perfectly acceptable to put on pounds. But it's important to have slow and steady gain and to keep your weight within healthy range for your body type.
Here are some general guidelines—but remember to ask your healthcare provider for specific recommendations.
Determine Your Pre-pregnancy Weight
If you're 5' tall...
Underweight: Less than 102 pounds
Normal: 102-132 pounds
Overweight: 133-147 pounds
Obese: More than 148 pounds
If you're 5'2"
Underweight: Less than 107 pounds
Normal: 107-141 pounds
Overweight: 142-157 pounds
Obese: More than 158 pounds
If you're 5'4"
Underweight: Less than 116 pounds
Normal: 116-152 pounds
Overweight: 153-170 pounds
Obese: More than 171 pounds
If you're 5'6"
Underweight: Less than 123 pounds
Normal: 123-161 pounds
Overweight: 162-180 pounds
Obese: More than 181 pounds
If you're 5'10"
Underweight: Less than 138 pounds
Normal: 138-181 pounds
Overweight: 182-202 pounds
Obese: More than 203 pounds
Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart
Then use your ranking to figure out how much weight you should gain in 40 weeks:
Underweight before pregnancy: 28-40 pounds
Normal weight before pregnancy: 25-35 pounds
Overweight before pregnancy: 15-25 pounds
Obese before pregnancy: 11-20 pounds
If you’re carrying twins, pregnancy weight gain should vary slightly:
Underweight before pregnancy: 50-62 pounds
Normal weight before pregnancy: 37-54 pounds
Overweight before pregnancy: 31-50 pounds
Obese before pregnancy: 25-42 pounds
Pregnancy Weight Gain By Week
First Trimester Weight Gain
Gain 0 to 1 1/2 pounds per month for a total of 1-4.5 pounds.
Consume the same amount or no more than an extra 150-200 calories a day (for example, a glass of skim milk, and two slices of turkey breast)
Second Trimester Weight Gain
Gain about 1 pound per week for a total of 12 to 14 pounds.
Consume an extra 300 calories a day (for example, a cup of carrot-orange juice and a cup of low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt).
Third Trimester Weight Gain
Gain 3/4 to 1 pound per week (weight gain often slows during the last month) for a total of 10 to 14 pounds.
Consume an extra 300-450 calories a day (for example, a cup of low-sodium tomato juice and a small whole-grain bagel spread with low-fat cream cheese).