Weight gain during pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body is developing more tissue, blood and fluid, so weight gain is to be expected. Find out what is the recommended weight gain for your body type and what you can do if you’re under or overweight.

Gaining weight during pregnancy is healthy, natural and necessary. However, being either overweight or underweight can put your baby at risk. Find out about what’s considered the healthy amount to gain during pregnancy in order support your baby’s development and give them the best start in life.

Weight gain: what’s recommended

The recommended amount of weight you should gain throughout your pregnancy can be calculated based on your body mass index (BMI).

To determine your BMI, simply divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres (or divide your weight in pounds by the square of your height in inches and then multiply the result by 703). If you’re unsure, you can use our BMI table below, or speak to your doctor who’ll be able to work it out for you.

Steady and gradual weight gain is best but as every pregnancy and every woman is different, you may gain more during some weeks than others.

Weight loss during pregnancy

Being overweight can mean you’re more at risk of developing high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and premature birth and even increase your risk of complications. However, once you become pregnant, losing weight is not recommended as it can reduce your baby’s birth weight and put them at risk. Dieting can starve you and your baby of the vital nutrients needed to help your baby develop.

A healthy, balanced diet consisting of a wide range of food groups will give your baby the vitamins and minerals they need and prevent you from putting on any unnecessary weight.

Being underweight in pregnancy

If you’re underweight and trying for a baby, putting on weight now will not only help you to have a healthier pregnancy, it can also help you to conceive. If you are already pregnant, your midwife will be able to advise you on the healthiest way to add extra calories and nutrients to your diet to ensure you gain a healthy amount of weight.

If you have any questions about weight gain in pregnancy, our Careline team can help – give us a call on 800 6458 6262 (UAE)/ +971 4 420 9489 (Other countries) between the hours of 9am and 6pm Saturday to Thursday.