Weight during pregnancy
Pregnancy isn’t the time to try to lose weight. But it isn’t the time to eat more, either. Don’t believe the ‘eating for two’ message – it’s a myth
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of problems in pregnancy. While pregnancy isn’t the time for a weight-loss diet, it is a good time to adopt a healthy diet, so swap unhealthy foods for healthier options and try to keep active
BMI, or body mass index, uses your height and weight to estimate your body fat – for most people, a BMI between 25 and 30 shows they’re overweight, and a BMI over 30 is taken as obese
If your BMI is under 20, your midwife will discuss this with you. Being underweight can increase the risk of problems in pregnancy - if you have any concerns ask for advice and help
The advice for pregnancy is simple
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You don’t need to eat for two. Even during the last few months of pregnancy a woman only needs an extra 200 calories a day (two slices of wholemeal toast or an apple and a banana, for example)
- Try to do 150 minutes or more of moderate physical activity, such as walking, every week, right up until the baby is born. Build up to daily exercise if you’re not used to it. (If there are health reasons why you shouldn't exercise, talk to your midwife)
- If you're already overweight, you don’t need to put on more weight in pregnancy
- There’s lots of useful information available about healthy eating in pregnancy, such as at NHS Start4Life
- NHS information about exercising in pregnancy
- An infographic from the Chief Medical Officer about staying active in pregnancy
- Information from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists about the risks of being overweight or obese during pregnancy, together with some tips for healthy eating and exercise