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Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator

Recommended pregnancy weight gain from your pre-pregnancy BMI, the healthy range for your current week, and how your gain compares.

Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy supports your baby's growth and lowers the risk of complications for both of you. How much is right depends on your weight before pregnancy: people who start out underweight are advised to gain more, and people who start with a higher BMI to gain less.

Enter your height and pre-pregnancy weight, and the week of pregnancy you are in. The calculator works out your pre-pregnancy BMI, the recommended total gain from the US Institute of Medicine guidelines, the healthy range by your current week, and the weekly rate for the second and third trimesters. Optionally enter how much you have gained so far to see how it compares. Nothing you enter is stored, sent or added to the page address.

How to use Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator

  1. Choose units and enter your height.
  2. Enter your weight before pregnancy.
  3. Enter the number of completed weeks of pregnancy.
  4. Optionally enter how much you have gained so far, then read your ranges.

Features

  • Pre-pregnancy BMI and category.
  • Recommended total gain for one baby (IOM 2009).
  • Healthy range by your current week.
  • Weekly gain in the second and third trimesters.
  • Compare your gain so far.
  • Metric or imperial; nothing is stored or sent.

Recommended weight gain

These ranges, from the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) in 2009, are used by many countries for pregnancies with one baby. They are based on BMI before pregnancy.

Pre-pregnancy BMITotal gainPer week, 2nd and 3rd trimester
Underweight (under 18.5)12.5–18 kg (28–40 lb)0.44–0.58 kg (1–1.3 lb)
Normal weight (18.5–24.9)11.5–16 kg (25–35 lb)0.35–0.5 kg (0.8–1 lb)
Overweight (25–29.9)7–11.5 kg (15–25 lb)0.23–0.33 kg (0.5–0.7 lb)
Obesity (30 and over)5–9 kg (11–20 lb)0.17–0.27 kg (0.4–0.6 lb)

How the range for your week is worked out

Little weight is gained in the first trimester: the guidelines assume 0.5–2 kg in total by the end of week 13, so for earlier weeks the calculator scales that range to your week. From week 14 it adds the weekly rate for your BMI category, and the range never goes above the recommended total. The result is a guide to whether you are on track, not a strict target — weight gain is rarely steady, and a week or two above or below the line is common.

Where the weight goes

Only part of pregnancy weight gain is the baby. The rest is the placenta, amniotic fluid, the larger uterus and breasts, extra blood and fluid, and fat stores that provide energy for breastfeeding. By the end of pregnancy a typical gain of around 12 kg includes about 3.5 kg of baby, about 1.5 kg of placenta and fluid, and several kilograms of blood, fluid and tissue. Gaining much less than recommended is linked with smaller babies and preterm birth; gaining much more with gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, a larger baby and more weight kept after birth.

When to talk to your midwife or doctor

These ranges are for one baby; twins and other multiples have different guidance, and your care team may set a personal target for medical reasons. Sudden weight gain, especially with swelling of the face or hands, headaches or changes in vision, can be a sign of pre-eclampsia and needs checking the same day. Dieting to lose weight is not recommended during pregnancy. Eat a varied diet, stay active as your midwife advises, and bring any concerns about weight to your next appointment.

Frequently asked questions

How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

It depends on your pre-pregnancy BMI: 11.5–16 kg for a normal BMI, more if underweight and less if overweight or obese.

How much weight should I gain in the first trimester?

About 0.5–2 kg in total by the end of week 13.

How much weight should I gain per week?

In the second and third trimesters, about 0.35–0.5 kg a week for a normal BMI.

Does this work for twins?

No. Twin pregnancies have different ranges; ask your midwife or doctor.

Which weight should I enter?

Your weight before pregnancy, plus optionally how much you have gained since.

Is my information stored?

No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is saved, sent or added to the address.

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