• Generally, most women gain between 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. 
• A woman can gain more or less than these amounts and still have a normal pregnancy and birth.
•  If you are underweight before you are pregnant you will need to gain more and overweight women should gain less. 
• Talk with your health care provider about the ideal weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
• If you gain more than 6.5 pounds a month or gain less than 2 pounds a month in the second and third trimester you should talk to your healthcare provider. 
• Good nutrition will provide a healthy and gradual weight gain – follow Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Living.
• Maintain an active lifestyle.
• Allow your appetite to tell you how much food to eat.
• Pregnancy is not a time to be dieting as this could prevent healthy growth and development of your baby.

Where Does the Extra Weight Go?

• Amniotic Fluid – 2 lbs
• Baby – 7.5 lbs
• Blood – 4 lbs
• Breasts – 3 lbs
• Extra body supplies for pregnancy and breastfeeding – 5-8 lbs
• Retention of fluid- varies
• Uterus – 2.5 lbs

Rate of Gain:

• Pregnant women should increase their caloric intake by
• 100 calories/day in the first trimester
• 300 calories/day in the second and third trimester
• 450 calories/day while breastfeeding
• First Trimester- 2-8 lbs
• Second Trimester- 1 lb per week
• Third Trimester- 1 lb per week

For more information:

• Call the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 to speak to a Public Health Nurse
• Motherisk – www.motherisk.org
• Health Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating  - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php