New federal guidelines from the Institute of Medicine are in place for weight gain during pregnancy. About half of women of childbearing age are overweight, with nearly 1 in 4 being medically obese (a BMI of 30 or more). This new "starting weight" at the beginning of a pregnancy has a big impact on the new recommendations for a healthy weight gain - for both mother and baby. And forget about the old "eating for two"; that old wives' tale is an absolute myth.

This is an important set of guidelines, since overweight and obese women who gain extra weight during pregnancy are at risk for complications including pregnancy related high blood pressure and diabetes. Babies born to women who gain extra weight are at greater risk for premature birth, and more likely to be overweight or obese themselves.

Here's where the body mass index (BMI, or height/weight ratio) really matters. For those women already at a healthy BMI (18.5 - 24.9), the recommendations remain the same - a weight gain of between 25 to 35 pounds. What's your BMI?



An overweight woman (BMI 25 - 29.9) should aim for a pregnancy weight gain of 15 to 25 pounds,while an obese woman (BMI 30 or higher) should aim for 11 to 20 pounds.

Underweight women must also make adjustments. For those with a BMI less than 18.5, a weight gain of 28 to 40 pounds is recommended.

Have an honest talk with your doctor about pregnancy and your weight, before you think about pregnancy. Depending upon your own health profile, weight loss prior to pregnancy is often recommended. Being proactive can support a healthy pregnancy and baby, as well as limiting those extra post-pregnancy pounds.

What do you think of these new guidelines? Leave a comment below.