A woman waiting for a child, especially the first one, begins to think about weight gain early. The number of kilograms that can be added during pregnancy varies depending on the complexion of the expectant mother and the number of fetuses in the uterus. The more complete the woman in the early stages of pregnancy is, the less kilograms she is “allowed” to gain. This means that for large women, the norm of weight gain during pregnancy will be 3-5 kg, and this is actually only the weight of the growing uterus and fetus. Their more slender “colleagues” can safely add 10 and 15 kg.
Determining which weight gain during pregnancy is best for you is simple enough. There are special tables and coefficients. We give an example of such an approximate calculation.
First, calculate BMI - body mass index, i.e. the body mass index . To do this, divide the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters. Women whose index at the beginning of pregnancy or before it is less than 19 are underweight. By the 30th week, they should normally add about 10 kg, and before the birth itself, the increase will already be 15 kg or more.
BMIs ranging from 20 to 26 are average weight to height ratios. 9 kg at the end of the 30th week and a total increase of 13.5 kg is considered optimal for this category.
Owners of BMI above 26 automatically fall into the category of obese women, and such moms will have to spend a lot of energy - no, not for losing weight. For diets, the time is completely inappropriate. However, keeping our weight within the framework, not following the hormones and increased appetite is quite within the power of each of us. The weight gain during pregnancy for expectant mothers who are overweight is 5 kilograms by the end of the 7th month and about 9 kg by birth.
What are the components of weight gain during pregnancy? Consider all of them.
- Fetal mass - a full-term fetus by 38-42 weeks weighs from 2500 to 5000 g. The fetal mass before birth is determined quite accurately by the ultrasound doctor during a planned ultrasound. He does this by measuring the length from the coccyx to the toe, the length of the limbs and the circumference of the head with some other dimensions.
- Amniotic fluid - 800 ml-1.5 liters.
- Placenta - 650 g.
- Breast enlargement - 0.5-1 kg.
- An increase in blood volume is about 2 liters.
- The body of the uterus is up to 1 kg.
All other grams and kilograms are body fat, without which the expectant mother and child can well do.
If the weight gain during pregnancy is too great or the dynamics of the woman’s weight change is too sharp, it is important to find the reasons and correct these phenomena in time.
- Swelling. Edema and fluid retention in the body are a very common problem during pregnancy. This is a specific problem of women in position, and it is associated with an increase in blood volume, an increase in the load on the kidneys and a violation of the water-salt balance.
- Polyhydramnios. Pronounced polyhydramnios is determined by ultrasound and, among other things, can cause abnormal weight gain of a pregnant woman.
- Multiple pregnancy. The normal weight gain during pregnancy in this case is from 14 to 22 kg.
- Gestosis. Late toxicosis of pregnant women develops in the third trimester and is characterized not only by a large increase in body weight, but also by an increase in blood pressure and malfunctioning of the urinary system.
So that weight gain during pregnancy is not a cause for concern and does not poison the happy months of the baby’s expectation, it is enough to observe such simple rules:
- Limit salt intake from the first weeks of pregnancy. Sodium is sufficient in vegetables, fruits, and processed foods, such as bread. Common salt causes fluid retention in the tissues, which is why the arrow of the scales is steadily creeping to the right.
- If possible, discard excess carbohydrates. Sweets - chocolate, bananas and cakes - increase the mood, but do not add health.
- Periodically give yourself aerobic exercise: swimming (if not contraindicated), walking away from contaminated highways.
- Give preference to boiled meat and steam fish, avoid fried, smoked and marinades.