BMI During Pregnancy
BMI during pregnancy: what it means, what it doesn't tell you and how to correctly interpret your weight gain.
BMI During Pregnancy – Use Pre-Pregnancy BMI
During pregnancy, the current BMI is not very meaningful, as weight naturally and desirably increases. What is medically relevant is the pre-pregnancy BMI, i.e. the starting BMI. This serves as the basis for weight gain recommendations. Pregnant women should not focus on their current BMI, but on weight gain over the course of the pregnancy and the quality of their diet.
Recommended Weight Gain by Pre-Pregnancy BMI
Recommended weight gain during pregnancy depends on starting BMI: Underweight (BMI < 18.5): 12.5–18 kg. Normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9): 11.5–16 kg. Overweight (BMI 25–29.9): 7–11.5 kg. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30): 5–9 kg. For multiple pregnancies, these values increase accordingly. Weight gain should be gradual – too rapid or too slow gain should be discussed with the midwife or doctor.
After Birth – BMI Normalisation Takes Time
Return to pre-pregnancy weight takes most women 6–12 months. Breastfeeding supports weight loss, burning approximately 400–500 additional calories daily. During breastfeeding, active weight reduction should not be pursued – adequate calorie intake is more important for milk production and personal recovery. A healthy BMI after birth is a long-term goal, not short-term pressure.
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