Weight-gain guidelines trend downward

As doctors debate how much weight they should advise their pregnant patients to gain, U.S. women grow ever heavier; in fact, nearly two-thirds of those of childbearing age are overweight or obese. Despite experts' increasing concern about the effect of added "baby weight" on mothers' long-term health, guidelines have recommended a gain of up to 25 poundsfor overweight women and "at least" 15 pounds for those who are obese.

While new guidelines have finally lowered the recommendation for obese women to a more conservative 11 to 20 pounds, some experts argue even that range is too high.

A recent study tested the effect of the older guidelines on pregnancy outcomes: The researchers monitored obese moms-to-be on a balanced nutritional program and found that an average gain of 11 pounds worked out well for mothers and babies. Some who were extremely obese even lost weight yet delivered healthy newborns. -- The Journal of the National Medical Association, Institue of Medicine

How Much Weight Should I Gain?

Rate your prepregnancy weight (pounds)
height	underweight	normal	overweight	obese
5'	< 102	102-132	133-147	> 148
5'2"	< 107	107-141	142-157	> 158
5'4"	< 116	116-152	153-170	> 171
5'6"	< 123	123-161	162-180	> 181
5'10"	< 138	138-181	182-202	> 203
Your gain plan (pounds)
if you      were . . .	underweight	normal	overweight	obese
you should gain a         total of . . .	28-40	25-35	15-25	11-20

Where do the pregnancy pounds go?
maternal stores of fat, protein, and other nutrients	7 lbs
increased body fluid	4 lbs
increased blood	3-4 lbs
breast growth	1-2 lbs
enlarged uterus	2 lbs
amniotic fluid	2 lbs
placenta	1.5 lbs
baby	6-8 lbs
total	26.5-30.5 lbs
source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists