Weight Gain Chart

A well-nourished, healthy woman can expect to gain between 25 to 35 pounds during her nine months. An approximate breakdown of pregnancy weight gain is as follows:

• 7 - 9 pounds of baby

• 2 pounds of placenta

• 2 pounds of amniotic fluid

• 4 - 5 pounds of increased blood volume

• 2 pounds uterine enlargement

• 3 - 4 pounds of fluid in maternal tissue

• 1 pound of breast enlargement to prepare for breastfeeding

• Any remaining pounds are a general deposit of fat required by the body for breastfeeding and energy stores

Every woman would love to leave the hospital at her pre-pregnancy weight. You can dream about it but it's unrealistic. Keep reminding yourself that it took nine months to put your pregnancy weight on. You should allow yourself at least nine months to take it off.

Using the following chart, you can monitor your weight gain:

• Find how much you have gained by subtracting your pre-pregnant weight from your current weight.

• Locate that number in the "Pounds Gained" column at the side of the chart.

• Then locate the week of pregnancy you are in.

• At the place where the two intersect, put a dot. By connecting the dots week by week, you can chart your weight gain. The dotted lines on the chart represent the normal high and low range for pregnancy weight gain.