Question

For a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI, what usually makes up the largest component of healthy weight gain by the end of pregnancy?

a.
Fat and protein storage


b.
Placenta

c.
Increase in body fluids


d.
Baby

Answer 1

The largest part of healthy weight gain in a normal pregnancy is the baby, followed by the uterus, amniotic fluid, placenta, and increases in blood volume and breast tissue. The correct option is d. Baby.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), the largest component of healthy weight gain by the end of pregnancy is typically the baby. Along with the baby's weight, the weight gain includes the enlarged uterus, amniotic fluid, and placenta.

Additional contributors to weight gain during pregnancy are increased blood volume (up by about 30 percent) and additional breast tissue. Contrary to what might be expected, fat and protein storage account for a relatively small portion of the total weight gained; approximately 2.3 kg (5 lbs) is stored fat that serves as a reserve for breastfeeding.