It is very important that a pregnant mother eat nutritious and the right amount of food to gain a healthy weight. A woman will definitely put on weight during pregnancy and this is something that should happen, as it is a positive sign, which indicates that the baby is being provided with the right nutrients.

Where and why does a woman gain weight?

Baby’s weight: Firstly it’s the baby’s weight that adds on to a mother weight. Most babies tend to gain 6-9 pounds. So this is one major reason why a mother puts on weight.

Placenta: A structure that is attached to the wall of the uterus and helps nourish the baby. This further adds on 1-2 pounds.

Amniotic Fluid: Liquid in the uterus in which a fetus lives until birth. This further adds on 1-2 pounds.

Uterus: The organ in which the baby grows. With the growth of the baby, the uterus also expands roughly up to 2 pounds.

Breast Tissue: There is a growth of 1-2 pounds of weight, in a woman’s breast tissue.

Blood Volume: There is an increase of 2 pounds in a woman’s blood volume during pregnancy.

Fluid: During pregnancy a woman’s body is able to retain 4-5 pounds of fluid.

Fat Stores: A woman’s body stores up to 7 pounds of fat, to help nourish the baby and provides the energy to breast feed after pregnancy.

It is therefore very important that a woman eat well during pregnancy. Dieting and extreme exercise are a big no-no. One can engage in exercise and fitness programs after 6 months of delivering the baby. However, make sure that you go ahead only after the doctor has given his consent.