Final answer:
Women with a BMI between 18.5 - 24.9 are recommended to gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy, with most of the weight gain occurring in the second and third trimesters. Proper weight gain is key to the health of both mother and baby and requires just an additional 300 calories per day during the later stages of pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women with a BMI between 18.5 - 24.9 should aim to gain approximately 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. This recommendation is based on the Institute of Medicine’s guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy to support the health of both the baby and the mother. It is important to note that during the first trimester, little to no additional calorie intake is necessary, and a weight gain of about 1 pound per month is common. However, in the second and third trimesters, the mother's appetite may increase, and an additional 300 calories per day should suffice to support fetal growth. Most of the weight gain occurs during these later trimesters, at a rate of about 1 pound per week.
It is crucial for pregnant women to understand the balance between maintaining a healthy diet and ensuring adequate pregnancy weight gain to provide for the developing fetus and prepare for breastfeeding. Excessive weight gain can be detrimental to both mother and child, as it increases the risk of gestational diabetes and complications during birth, and may pre-dispose the child to diabetes and obesity later in life. On the other hand, not gaining enough weight can also pose risks, including premature birth and a lower birth weight. Therefore, following the recommended weight gain guidelines within the context of a healthy BMI is important for a healthy pregnancy outcome.