Weighing On Pregnancy Weight The Right Way

It’s hard to face it but it’s true - pregnancy weight is a sensitive subject to talk about. It may just be an appendage of the already tricky subject of weight in general. 

Years of common speculation, personal scrutiny, taboo and beauty standards have somewhat created a tricky layer around the topic, that now a days it seems hard to talk about the few kilos/pounds you gain when you’re having a baby. 


However, here, you will find why pregnancy weight might not be such a bad thing. Keep reading to know of its importance and how you can maintain it. 

The extra weight is for the fetus’ good  
According to reliable sources, women who don’t gain weight during pregnancy run a higher risk of having a preterm or low-birthweight baby. Babies that are their full gestational age but are low in weight, may run into future problems including respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular. 


Therefore, your growing baby requires that few extra kilos for better development. 
Here are more advantages of healthy pregnancy weight gain for your baby and you:

Mothers 
Baby 
You will feel healthier and have more energy 
Supply of oxygen and nutrients 
Be a healthier weight after your baby is born 
Lower risk of complications during birth 
It helps to prepare your body for breastfeeding. 
More likely to be a healthy weight at birth 

Putting a number on it 
The best determination of whether your pregnancy weight gain is healthy or not is BMI (Body Mass Index). If your: 

  • BMI is under 18.5, you’re considered underweight 
  • BMI is between 18.5 and 25, then it’s a normal body weight 
  • BMI is between 25 and 30, it’s considered overweight 
  • BMI is above 30, it falls into the obese category 

Here’s a simple table of what the right amount of pregnancy weight gain is for women who have either of the four BMIs: 

BMI 
Appropriate pregnancy weight 
Under 18.5 
Between 12.5 and 18 kgs 
Between 18.5 and 25 
Between 11.5 and 16 kgs 
Between 25 and 30 
Between 7 and 11.5 kgs 
More than 30 
Between 5 and 9 kgs 


Still feeling bulky? Don’t worry, here’s another answer to where all that weight is going 
Yes, the average weight of a newborn is somewhere between 2 – 5kgs. Then why does it need an extra 12 -15 kgs of weight? Factually, your newborn constitutes around 26% of your total weight gain.


If you’re thinking all of it is pure fat, think again. Most of the weight gain comprises of fluids and expanding body tissue. Let’s say if your full-term pregnancy weight gain is 14 kgs, you get: 
  • 2kgs of increased fluid 
  • 2kgs of added body volume 
  • 1kg of breast tissue 
  • 1kg of uterus tissue 
  • 0.5 kg of placenta (a new organ that develops during pregnancy) 
  • 1kg of amniotic fluid 
  • 3kgs of fat, protein and other essential nutrients 
  • And a 3.5 kg of healthy baby! 
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14 kgs of full-term pregnancy weight gain 
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How to maintain a healthy pregnancy weight 
A solution you’ve been waiting for is finally is here!  

Diet: 

  • Dairy products are highly recommended during gestating. Products like curd is a good source of protein, vitamins and calcium. Cooked pasteurized paneer is a great source of calcium 
  • Get all the protein you can by incorporating as much meat and fish as you can in your diet 


  • A vegetarian option for optimum protein intake would be pulses, tofu and soya 
  • Fresh fruits keep you energized, aids in digestion and prevents constipation 
  • Get an extra boost of essential nutrients like folic acid, Vitamin B and Vitamin with vegetables 

Exercise:

  • Consult your midwife or OB/GYN about the safe ways you can exercise 
  • A brisk walk for 30 min improves blood circulation and keeps your feet strong 
  • Try prenatal yoga for increased flexibility and stronger endurance for healthy labour 

When we live in a time where we have access to a digital pregnancy test kitit’s about time to change our perspective on pregnancy weight. No, it’s not wrong. No, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s all part of the process. 


Manufacturers of one the top 10 best pregnancy test kitswe only promote healthy pregnancy. Our goal isn’t just to offer one the nation’s best pregnancy check kitbut to also be with you every step of the way through your pregnancy journey. 

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