Gaining weight during pregnancy is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, but it can be a challenge in the third trimester. Many pregnant women have trouble adding on the necessary pounds during the last few months of their pregnancy, and often worry that their baby won’t be getting all the nutrition he or she needs. It’s important to remember that it is normal to not gain as much weight during the third trimester as during the first and second trimesters. As long as the pregnant woman is eating a nutritious diet and not drastically limiting calories, it is likely that her baby will still be getting the proper nutrition. In this blog post, we will discuss the reasons why a woman may not gain as much weight during the third trimester, and some tips to help ensure that both the mother and baby remain healthy during this crucial stage of development.
What happens if you don’t gain enough weight during pregnancy?
Being underweight throughout your pregnancy can increase the risk of complications for both you and your unborn child. Babies whose mothers don’t put on enough weight while they’re expecting are more likely to:
Some small-for-birth infants may struggle to breastfeed, put at higher risk for diseases, and fail to reach developmental milestones.
In the first trimester, a lack of weight gain is typically perfectly normal. Tiny fetuses have tiny nutritional needs.
The same isn’t true if you don’t gain the recommended amount of weight by the second trimester. As your baby grows, more calories and nutrients will be required. You’ll need to steadily gain weight in order to keep up.
Why am I not gaining weight during pregnancy?
When you’re expecting, a number of factors may prevent you from gaining enough weight. Causes of slow or no weight gain in pregnancy include:
How many extra calories do I need (assuming that you’re starting out at a healthy BMI)?
| Stage of pregnancy | Calorie intake |
| First trimester | No additional calories |
| Second trimester | Add 300 to 350 calories per day |
| Third trimester | Add 400 to 450 calories per day |
Any extra calories you consume ought to come from nutrient-dense foods like lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eat overly processed foods with a lot of added sugar, salt, or fat only occasionally. But do allow yourself to splurge on something you absolutely adore and can’t live without once a day.
You’re not alone if you’re having trouble gaining enough weight while pregnant. If you and/or your doctor are concerned, you can manage this common worry with a little bit of additional knowledge and even with assistance from a registered dietitian. There are a variety of causes for lack of weight gain, including:
Here are my top 6 suggestions for making sure you gain enough weight during your pregnancy and do so in a healthy way:
FAQ
What does it mean if you don’t gain weight during pregnancy?
How much weight should you have gained by 3rd trimester?
Why am I losing weight during pregnancy 3rd trimester?
Losing weight while pregnant at this late stage could be related to poor baby growth, low amniotic fluid or pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. If you’re losing weight and it’s beyond your first trimester, call your provider.