Where exactly is this weight coming from?

Weight gain seems to be a common concern when I speak to women who are pregnant. Each having a concern with how fast or slow post baby weight will come off, gestational diabetes, having a big baby due to weight gain, and for many first time moms having weight gain at a rate they have not ever experienced before.

It is also difficult with all the social pressures for women surrounding weight regardless if they are pregnant or not. It feels unnerving for women at times during their pregnancy when they have to buy new clothes because everything is starting to feel too tight, feeling swollen, and everything seems to keep growing. Even though these wonderful moms to be know their weight is increasing due to pregnancy it can be difficult to see the scale at a weight you have not seen before.

When the scale shows you have gained anywhere from 14-30lbs depending were you are in your pregnancy you may be thinking “Well surly that cannot be all baby weight but where is the rest of the weight coming from?”

To help you better understand pregnancy weight distribution here is a break down to answer your question.

 

Example for maternal weight gain of 25- 30 pounds

Approximate Baby Weight	6-8pounds
Placenta	1-2 pounds
Amniotic Fluid	2-3 pounds
Uterine Increase	1-2 pounds
Maternal Breast Tissue	1-2 pounds
Maternal Blood Volume Increase	3-4 pounds
Fluids in Maternal tissue	3-4 pounds
Maternal Fat and Protein Stores	8-10 pounds (good and needed fat)

 

After seeing the weight broken down you may feel more comfortable. Many times we are not informed of the weight distribution when we are told how much weight we may be gaining.

Remember this weight gain is a good thing because you are creating life.

Depending on your pre-pregnancy weight you doctor may have made recommendations to try to stay below the 30 pound weight gain. If you are unsure of how to go about this reach out to me and I will help.

email: info@imprintedlegacy.com

 

 

For more on weight distribution during pregnancy read:

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/eating-well/healthy-weight-gain/where’s-the-weight-going.aspx

http://www.babyyourbaby.org/pregnancy/during-pregnancy/weight-gain.php