Pregnancy and Weight Gain
During pregnancy, your body goes through lots of changes to help give your baby a healthy start. Gaining weight during pregnancy is natural, normal, and healthy.
Gaining a healthy amount of weight:
- Helps your baby grow and develop.
- Helps lower the risk of health issues for you and your baby.
- Helps your body make breastmilk.
How much weight should I gain?
The amount of weight gain that is right for you is based on your weight before you became pregnant. Weight gain is usually slow during your first trimester. Most of your weight gain will happen in your second and third trimesters.
Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss the recommended amount of weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
Eating well and being active can help you gain the amount of weight that is right for you and your developing baby.
Eat a variety of foods each day (click to expand) »
Here are a couple tips:
- Try to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods.
- Eat a little more food each day, such as an extra snack or a little more food at one of your meals. Although you are eating for two, you don’t need to eat twice as much.
You can also contact 811 Dial-a-Dietitian to speak with a registered dietitian.
If you are having trouble accessing food because of finances, check out Financial Support for Healthy Eating.
Enjoy being active each day (click to expand) »
Check out Physical Activity During Pregnancy for information about being active throughout your pregnancy. Here are a few tips:
- Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.
- Try to be active at least three days a week.
- Check with your healthcare provider if you have questions about being active while pregnant, including medical reasons that may make it unsafe.
Services related to this information:
- Contact your Public Health Nurse
- 811 HealthLine/Dial-a-Dietitian (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555