Gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy supports healthy foetal development while reducing risks associated with gaining too little or too much.
This calculator uses your pre-pregnancy BMI to determine which Institute of Medicine (IOM) weight gain category you fall into, and shows the recommended total gain range.
Example: A woman 60 kg, 160 cm tall (BMI = 23.4, Normal):
Recommended gain = 11.5 - 16 kg for the full pregnancy.
| Pre-Pregnancy BMI | Recommended Total Gain |
|---|---|
| Underweight (<18.5) | 12.5 - 18 kg |
| Normal (18.5-24.9) | 11.5 - 16 kg |
| Overweight (25-29.9) | 7 - 11.5 kg |
| Obese (30+) | 5 - 9 kg |
Women who start pregnancy underweight are advised to gain more, while those starting at a higher BMI are advised to gain less, to support a healthy outcome.
Yes, recommended gain is higher for twin pregnancies since more weight supports two babies.
This is a general guideline - always discuss your specific weight gain plan with your doctor or midwife.