New ACOG Guidelines Set Healthy Pregnancy Weight Gain by BMI

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued guidelines on healthy weight gain during pregnancy. These recommendations vary based on a person’s body mass index before pregnancy. The advice aims to support safe outcomes for both parent and child. For underweight individuals, ACOG suggests gaining 1 to 1.3 pounds per week in the second and third trimesters. Those with a normal weight should aim for 0.8 to 1 pound weekly. Overweight individuals are advised to gain around 0.6 pounds each week, while obese individuals should limit weekly gains to 0.5 pounds.

A total weight gain of about 25 pounds is often considered healthy for many pregnancies. However, factors such as pre-pregnancy BMI and carrying multiple babies can change these targets. The Institute of Medicine, for example, recommends a gain of 37 to 54 pounds for women of normal weight expecting twins.

In 2021, the US saw 3,664,292 births. Of these, 8.52% were low birthweight and 10.49% were preterm. These statistics highlight the importance of following medical guidance during pregnancy. The guidelines provide clear targets for weight gain based on individual health profiles. They are designed to reduce risks for both parent and baby. Following these recommendations may help improve birth outcomes across different pregnancy scenarios.