Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Simply Call

Simply call 1300 806 258
www.gethealthynsw.com.au
FREE
Weight Gain HEALTH
COACHING
SERVICE
During Pregnancy
WHY IS MANAGING YOUR WEIGHT GAIN WEIGHT GAIN GUIDE:
DURING PREGNANCY IMPORTANT?
SINGLE PREGNANCIES
It is important for your health and for the health of
As a general rule, you don’t need to eat
your baby to eat well and stay active during pregnancy.
more than usual during the first 3 months
Too much or too little weight gain during pregnancy (the first trimester) and you should only
can place you and your baby at risk of complications put on 1-2 kg during this time.
during the pregnancy, at birth and later in life.
How much weight should I put on during pregnancy? Pre–Pregnancy Overall weight gain
BMI (kg/m2) during pregnancy (kg)
• This depends on your body mass index (BMI)
before you were pregnant <18.5 12.5-18.0
• Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight (kg)
by your height (m) squared. An online calculator is 18.5-24.9 11.5-16.0
available at www.gethealthynsw.com.au
• Your doctor or midwife can also help you estimate 25-29.9 7.0-11.5
your pre-pregnancy BMI
30+ 5.0-9.0
• If you have a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, you
won’t need to gain much weight during your Source: Queensland Health (2010) Statewide
Maternity and Neonatal Clinical Guideline: Obesity
pregnancy as you will already have the energy
reserves needed for pregnancy and breastfeeding
MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES
1>
If you are having more than one baby
(e.g. twins or triplets), you will need to
gain more weight than if you were only
having one baby.
Weight (kg) Pre-Pregnancy Overall weight gain

BMI (kg/m2) during pregnancy (kg)
Height (m)2 <18.5 Talk to your dietitian or obstetrician
= 18.5-24.9 17-25
Body mass index 25-29.9 14-23

(BMI) 30+ 11-19
Source: RANZCOG (2013) College Statement

on the Management of Obesity in Pregnancy
WHY GAINING THE RIGHT AMOUNT
OF WEIGHT IS IMPORTANT Weigh yourself
There is also increasing evidence to support so called regularly during
‘fetal programming’ i.e. that the nutrients babies pregnancy to make
receive before they are born influences their health
later in life. Babies with abnormally low or high birth sure you are on track
weight in particular may be at increased risk of obesity to achieving a healthy
and chronic disease as adults. weight gain.
Tip:
If you GAIN TOO LITTLE WEIGHT
during pregnancy If you do not have scales at home, ask your
antenatal care provider when you go in for
You are at higher risk of: routine check-ups if you can use the scales
Going into labour too early in their clinic.
Having a baby that is smaller than normal
Having problems with breastfeeding

your baby
Speak to your
Get Healthy in
If you GAIN TOO MUCH WEIGHT Pregnancy Service
during pregnancy health coach
Your baby is at higher risk of:
Being born larger than normal
Having an unusually low blood glucose AFTER THE BIRTH AND FUTURE PREGNANCIES
level at birth which may require treatment
Achieving a healthy weight after your pregnancy
Being overweight or obese as a child decreases the likelihood that you will develop diseases
such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers later
Being overweight or obese as they in life. If possible, it is best to achieve a healthy weight
become adults (BMI between 18.5 – 25) before falling pregnant again.
Speak to your Get Healthy in Pregnancy Service health
coach for personalised advice on losing your baby weight.
You are at higher risk of:
Pre-eclampsia – a condition in pregnancy

which causes high blood pressure and can
put both you and your baby at risk FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Gestational (pregnancy) diabetes - which

can cause problems during pregnancy and
birth as well as the potential for long-term
health issues for you and your baby Having a baby
Blood clots in your legs or pelvis
Requiring a birth by caesarean section

and the associated complications such as www.gethealthynsw.com.au
infection and blood loss
SHPN (CPH) 160278
your health coach

NSW © June 2016
Breastfeeding problems
Not being able to lose your baby weight,

which increases the likelihood of being additional fact sheets
overweight or obese in the future
Simply call 1300 806 258

www.gethealthynsw.com.au

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Simply call 1300 806 258

Weight (kg) Pre-Pregnancy Overall weight gain

Height (m)2 <18.5 Talk to your dietitian or obstetrician

Body mass index 25-29.9 14-23

Source: RANZCOG (2013) College Statement

Having a baby that is smaller than normal

Having problems with breastfeeding

Being born larger than normal

Pre-eclampsia – a condition in pregnancy

Gestational (pregnancy) diabetes - which

Blood clots in your legs or pelvis

Requiring a birth by caesarean section

your health coach

Not being able to lose your baby weight,

Simply call 1300 806 258

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