Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey, but it also brings many changes to a woman's body, including weight gain.

Weight gain during pregnancy can impact financial planning and dietary adjustments. This article explores the dietary and financial impact of pregnancy weight gain.

Recommended weight gain guidelines by trimester

Gaining weight during pregnancy is expected, but how much is considered healthy? The Institute of Medicine (IOM) provides the following guidelines based on your BMI before pregnancy.

Healthy weight gain guidelines by trimester are as follows:

• First trimester: Weight gain recommendation

  Most women for all pre-pregnancy BMI categories gain between 0.5 and 2.5 kg during the entire first trimester. The baby is still quite small during this stage, so significant weight gain isn’t necessary. Morning sickness and food aversions can also affect weight gain.

• Second trimester: Weight gain recommendation

  As the baby grows rapidly in the second trimester, women in normal weight range before pregnancy can expect to gain around 0.5 kg per week. Those with underweight pre-pregnancy BMI can expect an additional 0.65 kg weight gain per week, while those within the overweight and obese category pre-pregnancy can expect a weekly weight gain of 0.35 kg and 0.20 kg respectively.

• Third trimester: Weight gain recommendation

  The baby gains the most weight during this trimester. Women in the normal weight range before pregnancy can expect to continue gaining about 0.5 kg per week. Those within the underweight, overweight, and obese categories before pregnancy will typically experience a weekly weight gain of 0.65 kg, 0.35 kg, and 0.20 kg respectively.

• Additional considerations

  Women carrying twins or multiples will typically experience more weight gain, typically ranging from 16.8 to 24.5 kg by the time they reach full term, depending on their pre-pregnancy weight.

Should you be eating for two when you’re pregnant?

The idea that you should be "eating for two" during pregnancy is a common myth. While it might sound reasonable, research shows that your caloric needs do not double. The additional calories required during pregnancy are much smaller and vary by trimester.

• First trimester: Calorie intake recommendation

  No additional calories are generally required during the first trimester. However, a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients such as folic acid, iron, calcium, DHA, and zinc is vital to support the fetus's early development, especially the formation of major organs and systems.

• Second trimester: Calorie intake recommendation

  During this stage, women need more calories to support the baby’s development, the expansion of the uterus, amniotic fluid, and increased blood volume. Adding about 340 calories per day to your diet is advised during this period.

• Third trimester: Calorie intake recommendation

  For the final semester, expectant mothers are advised to add 450 calories to their regular diet daily.

• Additional considerations

  If you're expecting twins or triplets, you should increase your daily intake by 300 calories per baby during the first trimester, 340 calories per baby in the second trimester, and 452 calories per baby in the third trimester.

To help you stay on track with these guidelines, consider using a food-tracking app to help you monitor your calorie intake. For more personalised advice, consult a dietitian to get tailored meal plans that adjust your caloric intake appropriately for each trimester.

Risks of too little pregnancy weight gain

Gaining too little weight during pregnancy can sometimes be caused by a mother’s high metabolism, but it typically occurs when a mother doesn’t consume enough nutrients or experiences severe nausea and vomiting. Too little pregnancy weight gain can lead to several risks and complications, such as:

• A higher risk of anaemia, which is when the mother doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to her tissues and the baby. Anaemia can lead to fatigue and dizziness. To treat anaemia, pregnant women are advised to take iron supplements
  

  Supplements	Estimated Cost	Dosage
  Iron supplements	RM0.60 - RM0.85 per capsule	30 to 60 mg of iron supplements per day or as your doctor advises.

• Increased risk of preterm birth. This may result in prolonged stays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to address possible health issues for the baby. NICU costs can vary depending on the level of care required for the baby’s condition, as outlined in the table below.
  

  Hospitalisation	Estimated costs in private hospitals	Estimated costs in government hospitals
  NICU	RM145 - RM5,000 per day	RM1.50 - RM300 per day

Risks of too much pregnancy weight gain

Gaining excessive weight during pregnancy can pose several risks for both the mother and baby, including:

• Gestational diabetes, which increases the chances of complications during pregnancy and delivery, as well as the likelihood of requiring a non-optional cesarean section (C-section).
• Pre-eclampsia, a serious condition characterised by hypertension that can lead to complications for both mother and baby if not managed.
• Labour complications, which may necessitate medical interventions such as assisted delivery or a C-section due to difficulties caused by the additional weight.

Medical assistance costs to treat or manage these complications are as follows.

Conclusion

By following the dietary guidelines for healthy weight gain during pregnancy, expectant mothers can give themselves the best chance for optimal well-being and their baby’s development.

When adherence to dietary guidelines is combined with leveraging medical benefits to monitor your pregnancy, you’ll be on the optimal path to care for your health and financial stability. For additional ways to safeguard your finances from unexpected costs during pregnancy, learn more about female insurance / takaful packages.

💡 The information provided above is purely for educational purposes.