Here are the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnant women:

If you are normal weight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8-26.0):

Gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are overweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 26.0 or more): Gain 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are underweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8 or less): Gain 28-40 pounds during pregnancy (depending on your pre-pregnancy weight).

If you have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more): Speak to your health care provider. You will need to gain more weight during pregnancy depending on the number of babies you are carrying.

Most women typically gain 3 pounds in the first 3 months, and then 1 pound a week until giving birth. 

An approximate breakdown of the weight is:

• Blood: 3-4 pounds

• Breasts: 1-2 pounds
• Uterus: 2 pounds
• Baby: 6-8 pounds
• Placenta: 1.5 pounds
• Amniotic Fluid: 2 pounds
• Fat: 7 pounds
• Water: 4 pounds

Exercise is extremely important in promoting health and well-being during your pregnancy. Women who exercise during pregnancy have reduced weight gain, improved moods, improved sleep patterns and most experience a more rapid weight loss after pregnancy!  It also will help you to prepare for the physical stress of your labor and delivery.

There are some guidelines to follow when you choose to exercise during your pregnancy:

It’s one of those questions you’ll hear time and time again…  “so how far along are you?”  You have many options in explaining just how pregnant you are - and almost all of them will require some bit of explanation on your part!!

How Far Along - Weeks

One of the easiest ways to determine how far along you are is in “weeks”.  Typically you count from the week of your last menstrual period (lmp), so when you actually test positive (typically when your period is due) you are 4 weeks along.  Silly, I know!  If you follow this practice - your due date will be 40 weeks after your lmp.  Another way of counting weeks is from the date of conception (typically two weeks after your lmp) and your due date will be at 38 weeks. 

So what is my pregnancy due date and when is this baby going to arrive?  That’s one of the first questions you (and everyone else around you) wants to know! 

Dr. Naegele’s Pregnancy Due Date Calculation

The most common way of calculating your pregnancy due date is based on a method developed by Dr. Naegele.  He determined that the average woman had a menstrual cycle lasting 28 days, with an ovulation date of 14 days.  The calculation would then be:

Date of your LMP (last menstrual period) + 7 days - 3 months.

Example: April 15th, 2003 + 7 days - 3 months = January 22nd, 2004!

Ovulation Pregnancy Due Date Calculation

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