Whilst gaining the right amount of weight is important for the baby’s health and to support your body throughout the nine months of pregnancy, gaining too much weight can be both bad for your kid, and also be bad for you both physically and mentally before and after the pregnancy.

How much is permissible?
There is no set amount for this though. It depends to a large extent on the individual and the pregnancy case. So each one of us needs to sit with our doctor and decide how much weight gain is to be expected and allowed, and how to handle it.

Baby: 7 to 8 pounds
Larger breasts: 1 to 3 pounds
Larger uterus: 2 pounds
Placenta: 1 1/2 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
Increased blood volume: 3 to 4 pounds
Increased fluid volume: 2 to 3 pounds
Fat stores: 6 to 8 pounds

When can you expect bursts of sudden weight gain?
Good news… we have a little time after the realization that we are in fact pregnant, before we start putting on the pounds in a big way!

Thankfully in the first trimester, most women do not need to gain weight… we really don’t need this on top of changing life plans, discovering new hormones and morning sickness which somehow lasts throughout the day! Steady weight gain then happens in the last two trimesters but at least by then the morning sickness will start going down hopefully!

Wrong! This is because we also need to give the baby the nutrients that he or she needs. Remember that a whole life is starting to form inside of you so just use your imagination on how much nutrients that it requires! This is very serious, because women who deprive themselves of good nutrition during pregnancy tend to have smaller, sickly babies who require more hospital time and have a higher incidence of problems including neonatal death…

The effects of the sudden weight gain on your body
Some of the aches and pains you'll feel during pregnancy are related to weight gain. Backache and feeling more awkward and clumsy (thanks to your changing center of gravity) are the most common problems. Many women complain of swollen legs and ankles (edema), but this is actually caused by the increased amount of blood and other fluid in your body, not by the extra pounds you're carrying.

If you have gained more weight than recommended during the beginning of your pregnancy, DO NOT try to lose weight. It is never safe to lose weight during pregnancy.

If you have special diet restrictions or needs
If you are a vegetarian, vegan or have other special needs in pregnancy, it is important to discuss with your practitioner about your weight gain and dietary needs. It is possible to have a very healthy pregnancy without meat and/or dairy, however, you will need to be informed and committed to your dietary needs.

If you have a history of an eating disorder
Past or present eating disorders can play havoc with you in pregnancy. It is imperative that you confide in your practitioner and continue having a dialogue. Weight gain is a necessary part of pregnancy and even many years later, it can cause issues for women with disordered eating.

So consider gaining about 20 pounds by around the 20th week of pregnancy. This can help increase the weight of each baby helping to prevent low birth weight in the event of preterm labor.

Don’t get emotionally affected
Emotionally you might have a hard time accepting this weight gain, and you might even feel depressed. At this point think rationally and logically as to why this weight gain is necessary. Talk with other moms to be and new moms about how they handled it. They are the best counselors. Remember that the extra pounds will eventually come off.