Pregnant with your first child? It’s an exciting period of your life, and you probably have tons of questions for your health care provider. The one thing you do know is that you will gain some pregnancy weight. If you’ve ever wondered when — and what — is an appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, read on.
When do you start gaining weight in pregnancy?
Tips to safely manage your pregnancy weight
The Mayo Clinic explains that it’s important to monitor your weight gain because too much could result in complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia. And gaining too little can produce a low birthweight baby with serious health problems of her own.
“Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to eat for two," Nutritionist Eva de Angelis told Mom.com. "During the second and third trimesters, you only need to increase your calorie intake by about 300 calories per day. Despite this, I strongly advise you to consult with your doctor about specific nutritional needs and individual weight gain charts.”
De Angelis had suggestions for maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight. “When pregnant, the same basic principles of healthy eating apply: eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure tons of minerals, vitamins, and fiber; choose whole grains and their products over refined grains; stick to low-fat dairy products like low-fat milk and plain Greek yogurt; pick good quality protein sources like lean meats and pulses; and add nuts, seeds, and oils for healthy fats.”
Moderate exercise can help temper weight gain, keep you comfortable, and prepare your body for the actual birth.
Crystal told Mom.com that the number one thing is to just take care of yourself.
“Just remember that this is a miracle, just building a baby. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Eat healthy, go on walks, and do whatever makes you feel good,” she said.
