Proper weight gain throughout pregnancy is one of the best ways possible to support a healthy development, and avoid certain complications later on. It’s important that women gain enough weight to support a developing fetus, but to moderate weight gain enough that they avoid complications that are closely related with high weight gain.
How much weight?
The amount of weight that a woman is supposed to gain throughout the course of pregnancy depends on her weight before conception, and is determined by her Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated with the equation (kg/m2). Women entering pregnancy with a BMI below the normal range of 18.5-24.9 need to gain more weight than those within the range, and women with a BMI higher than 26 need to gain less. There’s also the question of how many babies she’s carrying – with one baby, women need to gain less weight than do those who are carrying multiples.
The distribution of weight gain is also very much not an even split between trimesters. Rather, the suggested weight gain increases with each. Different healthcare providers might have different opinions on what a healthy weight gain is for an individual, but the guideline are typically as follows:
| BMI class | BMI | Healthy weight gain range (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Under 18.5 | 28-40 (12.7-18 kg) |
| Normal | 18.5-24.9 | 25-35 (11-16 kg) |
| Overweight | 25-29.9 | 15-25 (7-11 kg) |
| Obese | 30+ | 11-20 (5-9 kg) |
How Ovia tracks weight gain
Ovia will determine weight gain goals based on your pre-conception BMI, and allow you to track this data throughout with interactive charts and analyses. You’ll be asked to submit your weight daily, and Ovia is able to analyze and provide feedback on your gains, identifying when you might be gaining too much or too little, and whether any other factor might be preventing you from maintaining a healthy weight gain. Working diligently to meet weight gain goals is one of the best things a woman can do for her pregnancy health.
Sources
- “Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Number 548.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1/13/2015. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Pregnancy weight gain: What’s healthy?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 3/4/2014. Web.
