Weight Gain During Pregnancy
The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight.
- The best way to start a pregnancy is to be at a healthy weight.
- Gaining a healthy amount of weight, based on your weight before pregnancy, will help you have a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery.
- Gaining too little weight will make it hard for the baby to grow properly. Gaining too much makes it more likely that you will have a longer labor and more difficult delivery. It also makes it harder to return to normal weight after the baby is born.
- Remember, this is not the time to lose weight.
How much weight do I need to gain?
Where does all the weight go?
You may be worried about gaining weight and unsure about whether you can lose it after your baby is born. Remember this: It took nine months to put it on; it will take that long, or more, to take it off sensibly. Healthy eating habits, plenty of physical activity and breastfeeding will all help.
Not all the weight you gain during pregnancy is the baby's weight; most of it is used by your body to nourish and support a healthy baby. The diagram below explains how and where your baby weight is distributed.

How can I keep track of my weight during pregnancy?
Write down your weight information in your Baby Your Baby Health Keepsake every time you visit your health care provider. Then, use our Prenatal Weight Gain Charts (above) to help you monitor where you should be during the different stages of your pregnancy.
Be sure to talk to your health care provider if you are uncertain about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
Practice healthy eating habits and get plenty of exercise to help you lose the weight after your baby is born and before you get pregnant again.
Visit Choosemyplate.gov to learn more about what yous should eat before, during and after pregnancy.