Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Approximately, your weight gain is made up of:
| Your baby | 6-8 pounds |
| Uterus | 2 pounds |
| Placenta | 1-1 1/2 pounds |
| Amniotic fluid | 2 pounds |
| Breasts | 2 pounds |
| Increased Blood Volume | 4 pounds |
| Retained Body Fluid | 2 1⁄2 pounds |
| Maternal Fat Reserves | 7 pounds |
| Approximate Total Weight Gain | 25-35 pounds |
You should include daily:
| Meat and Meat Substitute | 2 to 3 servings |
| Milk and Dairy Products | 4 servings |
| Grains | 6-11 servings |
| Fruit and Vegetables | 2-4 servings |
The average-sized pregnant woman requires 2200 to 2500 calories a day. Adding an extra 300 calories (kcal) daily is recommended for women with normal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). The total pregnancy weight gain of a woman of normal BMI is 27-35 pounds.
