Managing your weight in pregnancy will help you and your baby's health, both now and in the future. What is healthy for you depends on lots of factors, including your weight before pregnancy. The most important thing you can do is focus on eating healthy food and staying active.

You may find that you are hungrier than normal, but you do not need to "eat for two" during pregnancy. Most people don’t need extra calories until the third trimester, when you may need around 200 extra calories per day.

Weight gain in pregnancy varies greatly

Most pregnant women gain between one and a half to two stone in weight, most of which is after week 20. The majority of ‘baby weight’ is not actually the baby itself. It includes extra weight in your uterus, amniotic fluid, extra blood and fluid, placenta, larger breasts and extra fat stores. Do not diet or try to lose weight while you're pregnant as you may not take in enough nutrients which is not healthy for you or your baby.

How do I know if I am a healthy weight?

At your first antenatal visit  your midwife will measure your body mass index (BMI). This is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy and will be based on your weight before pregnancy. If you have a high or low BMI you will get extra advice and care during your pregnancy. BMI is not a perfect way to measure your weight because it cannot tell the difference between excess fat, muscle or bone, but it is still the best way of medically assessing your weight.

Pregnancy complications

Being either overweight or underweight may increase your risk of pregnancy complications. However, there are things you can do to reduce the risks, and you will get extra support from your healthcare team.

Being overweight during pregnancy can increase the risk of various complications for both you and your baby. These include:

  • gestational diabetes
  • early miscarriage
  • high blood pressure & pre-eclampsia
  • blood clots
  • complications during labour and birth
  • an increased chance of needing a Caesarean section.

Babies may also be at higher risk of being born early or having certain health conditions.

Being overweight can also be associated with fatigue and lower energy levels, which can make it challenging for parents to manage the demands of caring for a newborn. Eating well and maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy can help you feel better, lower your risk of complications, and support your baby’s growth and development. Good nutrition matters, focus on eating a mix of healthy foods each day to get all the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need. No special diet is required, just good healthy balanced meals. However if you have any specific medical conditions that may impact on your weight, then ensure that you tell your midwife or GP as soon as possible.

Local support

Derbyshire residents can take part in Live Life Better Derbyshire’s healthy pregnancy programme.