- 1.How to calculate BMI before becoming pregnant?
- 2.How to consult the pregnancy weight gain chart?
- 3. How to consult the pregnancy weight gain chart?
Controlling weight gain in pregnancy is essential to help prevent the onset of problems, such as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia, which are related to excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
The best way to control weight in pregnancy is to eat healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, white meats, fish and eggs, thus avoiding foods with excess fats and sugars. In addition, you should practice daily physical activity of light intensity such as pilates, yoga, water aerobics or walking 30 minutes every day. See also: Food during pregnancy.
To control weight in pregnancy it is necessary to know the Body Mass Index or BMI, before the woman becomes pregnant and consult the table and graph of weight gain during pregnancy because these tools allow to monitor the weight gain each week of pregnancy.
1.How to calculate BMI before becoming pregnant?
To calculate BMI, it is necessary to record the height and weight of the pregnant woman before becoming pregnant. Then the weight is divided by the height x height, as shown in the image.
For example, a woman who is 1.60 meters tall and weighs 70 kg before becoming pregnant has a BMI of 27.3 kg / m2.
2.How to consult the pregnancy weight gain chart?
To consult the weight gain table, just see where the calculated BMI fits and what weight gain corresponds to.
| BMI | BMI classification | Recommended weight gain during pregnancy | Weight gain rating |
| <18.5 | Underweight | 12 to 18 kg | THE |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Normal | 11 to 15 kg | B |
| 25 to 29.9 | Overweight | 7 to 11 Kg | Ç |
| > 30 | Obesity | Up to 7 kg | D |
Thus, if the woman has a BMI of 27.3 kg / m2, it means that she was overweight before becoming pregnant and may gain between 7 and 11 kg during pregnancy.
3. How to consult the pregnancy weight gain chart?
To see the graph of weight gain in pregnancy the woman see according to the week of gestation how many extra pounds she should be. For example, a woman with a weight gain rating of C at 22 weeks should weigh 4 to 5 kg more than in early pregnancy.
A woman who is overweight or obese before becoming pregnant should be accompanied by a nutritionist to make a complete and balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients for the mother and baby, without the mother gaining too much weight.
