Question

For a woman with 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. Increase in body fluids c. The baby d. The placenta

Answer 1

The largest component of healthy weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with normal pre-pregnancy BMI is attributed to the increase in body fluids and the baby's weight. Additional contributions include the enlarged uterus, amniotic fluid, placenta, and increased blood volume, while stored fat serves as an energy reserve for post-delivery breastfeeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), the largest component of healthy weight gain during pregnancy typically comes from an increase in body fluids and the weight of the baby itself. Further contributions to weight gain include the enlarged uterus, amniotic fluid, and placenta. While additional breast tissue and a significant increase in blood volume also contribute, fat storage accounts for approximately 2.3 kg (5 lbs), which primarily serves as an energy reserve for breastfeeding after delivery.

Maternal adaptations to pregnancy include a 30% increase in blood volume and a 50% increase in respiratory minute volume to meet the physiological demands of pregnancy and fetal development. This natural progression is part of the reason why pregnant women may experience common symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, and frequent urination.

Adequate nutrients must be supplied to support the fetus and maternal health. Despite the increased needs, excessive caloric intake is not necessary; only about 300 additional calories are required daily during the second and third trimesters to support both maternal metabolism and fetal growth.

Answer 2

The largest component of healthy weight gain by the end of a pregnancy for a woman with normal BMI is primarily due to an increase in body fluids and the weight of the growing fetus. Fat and protein storage contribute less significantly, with gains of around 2.3 kg (5 lbs) for fat reserves.

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 often attributed to an increase in body fluids and the growing fetus. While fat and protein storage do increase, they make up a smaller proportion of the weight gain. According to medical references, fat storage accounts for approximately 2.3 kg (5 lbs) which serves as a reserve for breastfeeding, while the maternal blood volume, which contributes significantly to the weight gain, increases by about 30 percent during pregnancy.