What's a sensible amount of weight to gain whilst pregnant?

It all depends on how heavy you were before you fell pregnant.

If pre-pregnancy weight was in the healthy range for your height according to your healthcare provider (a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9), you should gain between 25 and 35 pounds, gaining 2 to 5 pounds in the first trimester and about 1 pound per week for the rest of your pregnancy for the optimal growth of your baby.

If you were underweight for your height at conception (a BMI below 18.5), you should gain 28 to 40 pounds. If you were overweight for your height (a BMI of 25 to 29.9), you should gain 15 to 25 pounds. If you were obese (a BMI of 30 or higher), you should gain no more than 15 pounds. If you're having twins you should gain about 35 to 45 pounds. If you fall into any of these four categories, talk to your healthcare provider about how much you should gain each month.

How will gaining so much weight affect my body?

Some of the aches and pains you'll feel during pregnancy are related to weight gain. Backache and feeling more awkward and clumsy (thanks to your changing center of gravity) are the most common problems. Many women complain of swollen legs and ankles (edema), but this is actually caused by the increased amount of blood and other fluid in your body, not by the extra pounds you're carrying.

It can be difficult to accept that you are physiologically programmed to gain weight during pregnancy. You may feel a little depressed as the weight climbs. Try to keep in mind, however, that the extra weight is important for a healthy pregnancy and that those extra pounds will eventually come off after you've had the baby. Take note of the quality more than the quantity of the food that enters your system.

How will I get rid of all those extra pounds later?

First of all, follow a healthy diet while you're pregnant and contact your local maternity unit.

After pregnancy follow a healthy diet similar to the one you ate while you were expecting and seeing a registered dietitian to help tailor a program for weight loss to you, especially if you're breastfeeding.

After the delivery of your baby, you'll find that most of the weight gained during pregnancy will go. Mothers usually lose one-half of their pregnancy weight gain in the first six weeks postpartum. The baby accounts for about 7.5 pounds (more or less), and the amniotic fluid, placenta, and extra body fluids and blood in your body add up to another 8 to 12 pounds. You will add 4-6 pounds as your breasts and womb get bigger. Remember, it took nine months to put on the weight, and it can take just as long or longer for all of it to come off.