For a pregnant person with BMI 18-25, what is the recommended total weight gain?

For a pregnant person with BMI 18-25, what is the recommended total weight gain?

• A. 11-20 pounds
• B. 25-35 pounds with 1-5 pounds in the first trimester and about 1 pound per week thereafter
• C. 37-54 pounds
• D. 15-25 pounds

Answer: (B)

Weight gain targets during pregnancy depend on pre-pregnancy BMI. For someone in the normal weight range (around BMI 18.5–24.9), the advised total gain is about 25–35 pounds. The plan isn’t a single number; it’s a pattern: gain roughly 1–5 pounds in the first trimester, then about 1 pound per week for the rest of the pregnancy. This balance supports fetal growth and placental development while minimizing risks to the mother. The other ranges don’t match this normal-weight guidance: they’re either too low, too high, or more aligned with different BMI categories.

Weight gain targets during pregnancy depend on pre-pregnancy BMI. For someone in the normal weight range (around BMI 18.5–24.9), the advised total gain is about 25–35 pounds. The plan isn’t a single number; it’s a pattern: gain roughly 1–5 pounds in the first trimester, then about 1 pound per week for the rest of the pregnancy. This balance supports fetal growth and placental development while minimizing risks to the mother.

The other ranges don’t match this normal-weight guidance: they’re either too low, too high, or more aligned with different BMI categories.