Pregnancy involves significant changes in a woman's body, including weight gain that supports fetal development and prepares the body for breastfeeding. Research shows that specific weight gain ranges based on Body Mass Index (BMI) lead to positive outcomes for both mother and fetus.

General recommendations suggest gaining 1-4 pounds during the first 3 months, then approximately 1 pound per week for the remainder of pregnancy. To achieve 1 pound/week, consume an additional ~300 calories per day (e.g., an extra sandwich plus a bg-card border border-border of milk or a baked potato plus 2 ounces of meat plus an apple).

The Institute of Medicine provides weight gain guidelines based on Prepregnancy BMI (as shown in the table below). These are recommendations, and individual variations exist. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.