Gaining a healthy amount of weight supports your baby's growth and development. Gaining too little can lead to a low birth weight, while gaining too much can increase risks for both mother (e.g., gestational diabetes, high blood pressure) and baby.
The gained weight isn't just fat. At the end of a typical pregnancy, it's distributed among the baby (~7.5 lbs), placenta (~1.5 lbs), amniotic fluid (~2 lbs), increased blood volume (~4 lbs), increased fluid volume (~4 lbs), breast tissue (~2 lbs), uterine enlargement (~2 lbs), and maternal fat stores (~7 lbs).
These recommendations are based on guidelines from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and are for informational purposes only. Every pregnancy is unique. Please consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding your pregnancy weight gain.