Patient's question:
I recently got pregnant and feel very happy. Many people told me to eat more, so I started eating without restraint. But now I've gained a lot of weight, my stomach has swelled, and I have many stretch marks. Others also said I've gained too much. I want to know the normal weight gain during pregnancy.What kind of help I need: How much weight gain is considered appropriate for a pregnant woman?
Doctor's answer:
At around 3-4 months of pregnancy, fetal growth and development, as well as changes in the formation of maternal organ systems, begin to occur. During this time, pregnancy-related symptoms may interfere with the mother's appetite, leading to slower weight gain. If the pregnancy symptoms are severe, weight gain may still increase.From weeks 16 to 24, weight gain accelerates, with an average increase of 0.6 kilograms per week. From weeks 25 to 40, weight gain slows down, averaging 0.4 kilograms per week. In the later stages of pregnancy, fetal weight gain is minimal, amniotic fluid gradually matures, and the mother's weight gain does not exceed 0.5 kilograms per week.
In the first three months of pregnancy, the standard weight gain is approximately 2 kilograms. From months 3 to 6, as well as in the late stages of pregnancy (months 7 to 9), weight gain increases by about 5 kilograms each period. The total standard weight gain throughout the entire pregnancy is approximately 12 kilograms. If the mother gains more than 20 kilograms during the entire pregnancy or if her weight is below 80 kilograms, it is considered excessive obesity.