Changing Body Shape in Pregnancy
During pregnancy your body undergoes a number of changes to accommodate for the growth and development of your baby. Weight gain is normal and if you gain a healthy amount of weight then you should find that the weight you gained in your pregnancy is not too hard to lose following delivery.
Some women find the changes their body is going through can be strange, confusing, worrying, or alarming. It is important to remember that weight gain in pregnancy is caused by a number of factors.
The list below gives an idea of why you gain weight in pregnancy. This example is for someone who has a baby between 3 to 3.6 kg and who gains about 12.2 to 14.5 kg.
- Baby: 3 - 3.6 kg
- Growth of breasts: 1 kg
- Growth of uterus: 1 kg
- Placenta: 700 g
- Amniotic fluid: 1 kg
- Increased blood volume: 1.4 - 1.8 kg
- Increased fluid volume: 1.4 - 1.8 kg
- Fat stores: 2.7 - 3.6 kg
O V E R C O M I N G W O R R I E S & C O N C E R N
- Remember, gaining weight in pregnancy is normal and to be expected
- If you gain a healthy amount of weight, you should find the weight you gained is easier to lose than if you gain too much weight
- Healthy weight gain will help your baby to grow to a healthy size
- Focus on nourishing yourself with good foods that are full of nutrients, like fruits and vegetables and wholegrain cereals
- Weight loss is not recommended in pregnancy