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Too Much Mama

Why experts are rethinking the pregnancy weight-gain guidelines.

By Laurie Tarkan


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Safe weight management

Artal and other experts also agree on another problem: The current weight-gain guidelines neither establish an upper limit for obese women (recommending instead that they gain at least 15 pounds) nor distinguish between different degrees of obesity. To address these oversights, the chart above indicates the weight gain (or loss) that recent research has shown can lower the likelihood of complications without raising the risk of having a low-birthweight baby.

The IOM and other medical groups have not yet sanctioned these suggested guidelines, so talk to your doctor before trying to limit your weight gain. Artal strongly advises that obese expectant women who try to do so or even to lose weight should be under the supervision of a high-risk OB and a nutritionist or dietitian who specializes in pregnancy and can create a personalized diet and exercise plan.

How much weight should you gain?

Prepregnancy Body Mass Index (Bmi) Current Recommendation New Studies Suggest
less than 19.8 (low) gain 8-40 lbs. gain 9-22 lbs.
19.8-26 (normal) gain 25-35 lbs. gain 5-22 lbs.
26.1-29.9 (overweight) gain 15-25 lbs. gain under 20 lbs.
30-35 (obese) gain at least 15 lbs. gain under 13 lbs.
35.1-39.9 (class II obesity) n/a gain 0-9 lbs.
40+ (class III obesity) n/a lose 0-9 lbs.


To determine your recommended weight gain, go to fitpregnancy.com/bmi.

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October/November 2008
Laurie Tarkan frequently covers health topics for The New York Times. She lives with her husband and two children in Maplewood, N.J.

User Comments:

  1. Gaining weight during the pregnancy is a normal process. Now one will find, eating more than before, because she is also consuming on behalf of her baby too....
    — nancy
  2. What a slippery slope - how can someone be expected to not gain ANY weight during pregnancy?! Additional fluid and the weight of the baby alone will add weight to the mother. Maybe if we just strive to eat good foods that nourish and give energy when we're hungry - and stop eating when we're not - then we'll gain the weight we need, and keep off the weight we don't. How can a group of doctors know better than our own bodies?
    — Amanda
  3. Excellent article. With my first child I gained a glorious 45 lbs which took just over a year to loose. I am now 20 weeks pregnant with my second child and have managed to not gain any weight. I should mention that I am still 30 lbs heavier than I should be for my height. With a combination of proper diet and moderate exercise (walking and light weights) it really isn't as difficult to maintain your weight as you might think. I like to think that this baby is using up my "fat stores" and I just have to eat healthy enough to maintain my current weight.
    — Christie

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