


This is more marked where the mother has a higher intake of high-sugar foods (such as soft drinks etc). Most of the weight gain goes to the development of tissues that allow fetal development, growth, and prepare the body for breastfeeding. This is not an excuse for poor nutrition, as a mother’s eating behaviors do impact child weight. Weight gain during pregnancy is not just attributed to the weight of the fetus. Mothers who fail to adequately gain weight, are at risk of premature births, and underweight babies. It is important to note that fat gain during pregnancy is important as it provides a buffer of energy stores that will be used during lactation after the birth. The calculator above will take into account your pre-Pregnancy Calorie needs (based on age, height, and activity levels) and then add on the extra calories required for growing a healthy baby. Based on the estimate of 285 Calories per day overall – this would equate to: Given these findings it is best to increase calorie intake at each trimester. Research shows that energy needs are different for each trimester An increase of 5%, 10% and 25% of pre-pregnancy Basal Metabolic Rate is the agreed figure.

However – this does not account for underweight women, or those who continue their physical activity during pregnancy. UK recommendations call for an extra increase of 200 Calories per day – in the 3rd trimester only. Over 9 months this averages out to 285 Calories per day. The total energy cost of pregnancy has been estimated at 77,000 Calories. Women whose weight was in the healthy range before becoming pregnant should gain between 25 and 35 pounds while pregnant. The mean weight gain during the 9 months of pregnancy is 26 pounds (12 kilograms). 2 to 4 pounds per month during the 4th to 9th months (second and third trimesters) The total amount of weight you should gain during your pregnancy depends on your weight when you became pregnant. The goal here is to ensure appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. The suggestions or calculations on this page are a guide only – you should always consult with a physician or nutritionist in matters affecting the health of your baby.
