Gaining weight is a normal part of a healthy pregnancy. By making healthy food choices and staying (or becoming!) physically active you are more likely to gain the amount of weight that is healthy for you and your baby.
Many women wonder how much weight they should expect to gain, and how quickly. The answers to these questions depend on your weight and height (your Body Mass Index or BMI) before you became pregnant.
Follow this link to find out what your pre-pregnancy BMI was, and then check out the chart below to find the recommended weight gain range and rate for you.
Pre-pregnancy BMI category
Average rate of weight gain in the 2nd and 3rd trimester
Recommended range of total weight gain
kg/week
lb/week
kg
lbs
BMI < 18.5 Underweight
0.5
1.0
12.5 - 18
28 - 40
BMI 18.5 - 24.9 Normal weight
0.4
11.5 - 16
25 - 35
BMI 25.0 - 29.9 Overweight
0.3
0.6
7 - 11.5
15 - 25
BMI ≥ 30c Obese
0.2
5 - 9
11 - 20
a Rounded values. b Calculations assume a total of 0.5 - 2 kg (1.1 - 4.4 lbs) weight gain in the first trimester. c A narrower range of weight gain may be advised for women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 35 or greater. Individualized advice is recommended for these women.
If your BMI was under 18.5 or over 24.9 when you became pregnant, or you are expecting more than one baby, ask your health care provider about getting support from a Registered Dietitian.
Every woman should speak with her health care provider about
For more information on healthy pregnancies, and prenatal health resources and supports in Simcoe Muskoka, please contact your health care provider or speak to a public health nurse through Your Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
