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Healthy weight gain in pregnancy calculator
Welcome
It’s normal to gain weight during pregnancy. Gaining weight gradually is healthy and best for you and your growing baby. Our calculator makes it easy to check if your pregnancy weight gain is within your healthy range.
Being a healthy weight while you’re pregnant can help you stay healthy and support your baby’s lifelong health and wellbeing. It can also lower your chances of having pregnancy and birth problems.
But it’s not always easy to tell if you’re gaining a healthy amount of weight during your pregnancy. If you’re aged 18 or over, you can work this out using your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). BMI uses weight and height measurements to work out if an adult is within, below or above a healthy weight range.
If you’re under 18, it’s best to talk to your GP (general practitioner), midwife, obstetrician, or health professional for advice on how to gain a healthy amount of weight during your pregnancy.
Disclaimer
The weight gain ranges in this Body Mass Index or BMI calculator are based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations. Please note that recommended weight gain ranges are a guide and provide suggested limits rather than specific goals.
The pregnancy weight gain recommendations from the Institute of Medicine only cover the first 40 weeks of pregnancy. You may continue tracking your weight gain on the calculator, but please consult your pregnancy carer for advice past your estimated due date.
Please note that the limits for being above a healthy weight and well above a healthy weight come from studies of Caucasian, Asian and Indian populations and may not apply to people from other cultural backgrounds. Please talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional if you have any questions or concerns.
For further information visit the Pregnancy Care Guidelines.
Tracking your pregnancy weight gain FAQS
Everyone’s weight gain range is different because every pregnancy is different. Weighing yourself regularly during pregnancy can help you understand if you are reaching a healthy weight gain range for you. To track your pregnancy weight gain, fill in the calculator and click ‘Save results’. You will get an email with a link that takes you back to your results any time. And you can use this to keep tracking your weight throughout your pregnancy.
Free support to get healthy in pregnancy
Our free Get Healthy in Pregnancy health coaches can help keep you on track with your pregnancy weight gain. They can also support you to set and work towards other health goals, such as avoiding alcohol, getting active, and eating healthily.
Talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician or health professional about joining Get Healthy or call 1300 806 258 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday, 9am to 5pm or register online.
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Your results suggest you are above the healthy weight gain range.
Your results suggest you are below the healthy weight gain range.
Your results suggest you are in the healthy weight gain range.
Please consult your health professional for personal pregnancy weight gain advice
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You are expecting more than two babies: We're very sorry - there haven't been enough studies completed on what is a healthy weight to gain when you have triplets or multiple babies. This means we can't give you an accurate guide based on evidence. We suggest you consult your health professional for personal pregnancy weight gain guidance.
Your pre-pregnancy BMI was over 40: Research for pregnant women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 40+ is ongoing. Our advice is based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations for weight gain in pregnancy. Please consult your health professional for personal pregnancy weight gain guidance.
Advice
Our free Get Healthy in Pregnancy program can help you build habits that promote your wellbeing and help give your baby the best start in life. Your qualified personal health coach can support you to eat well and keep active. They can also help you reach a healthy weight range during pregnancy and meet your health goals afterwards.
Talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional about joining Get Healthy or call 1300 806 258 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday, 9am to 5pm or register online.
Find out more about healthy eating and being active in pregnancy.
Your Previous Results
The weight gain ranges in this Body Mass Index or BMI calculator are based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations. Please note that recommended weight gain ranges are a guide and provide suggested limits rather than specific goals.
The pregnancy weight gain recommendations from the Institute of Medicine only cover the first 40 weeks of pregnancy. You may continue tracking your weight gain on the calculator, but please consult your pregnancy carer for advice past your estimated due date.
Please note that the limits for being above a healthy weight and well above a healthy weight come from studies of Caucasian, Asian and Indian populations and may not apply to people from other cultural backgrounds. Please talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional if you have any questions or concerns.
For further information visit the Pregnancy Care Guidelines.
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FAQs
What is a healthy pregnancy weight gain range?
How much weight you gain while you’re pregnant will depend on your pre-pregnancy weight and your pregnancy. Everyone has a different healthy weight gain range. This is based on your body mass index (or BMI) before you were pregnant. If you are 18 or over, you can estimate your healthy weight gain range with the calculator. By staying within this range throughout your pregnancy you and your baby are more likely to be healthy. You will also lower your risk of pregnancy and birth problems.
Please note that in some cases, your maternal health care providers may recommend a different weight goal.
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Body Mass Index or BMI is calculated by dividing your weight (kg) by your height (m) squared. It is a common measure that health professionals use to assess whether a patient is a healthy weight. The BMI can be a useful screening tool for the population. But for an individual, BMI is only one part of a more complete health assessment. The weight ranges in adults 18 years and over are categorised into: below a healthy weight, healthy weight, above a healthy weight and well above a healthy weight).
Please note that the limits for being above a healthy weight and well above a healthy weight come from studies of Caucasian, Asian and Indian populations and may not apply to people from other cultural backgrounds. Please talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional if you have any questions or concerns.
What does it mean if I am above a healthy weight range?
Gaining weight that is above your healthy range during pregnancy can increase your risk of developing problems such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, having a bigger baby and problems during birth. It can also increase your baby’s risk of being above a healthy weight during childhood and adulthood.
Talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional about joining Get Healthy or call 1300 806 258 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday, 9am to 5pm or register online.
What does it mean if I am below a healthy weight range?
Gaining too little weight during pregnancy can increase your risk of having problems during your pregnancy, breastfeeding and affect your baby’s development. It can also increase your baby’s risk of diabetes and being above a healthy weight during childhood and adulthood. If you are below a healthy weight range, talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional for advice and support.
What is the pregnancy weight gain calculator based on?
The weight gain ranges in this BMI calculator are based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations. Please note that recommended weight gain ranges are a guide and provide suggested limits rather than specific goals.
The pregnancy weight gain recommendations from the Institute of Medicine only cover the first 40 weeks of pregnancy. You may continue tracking your weight gain on the calculator, but please consult your pregnancy carer for advice past your estimated due date.
What if my expected due date changes during my pregnancy?
Your first ultrasound gives the best indication of your due date, however only 5% of babies are born on their due date. If your date changes, you can re-enter your expected due date in the calculator as many times as you like. This may change your healthy pregnancy weight gain range.
What if I don't know how much I weighed before being pregnant?
It doesn't have to be exact. Try and estimate your pre-pregnancy weight as best you can or ask your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional what they think it was. In the first trimester (first three months), most people will gain between 0.5 and 2 kg (or 2 to 4 kg if they are having twins),,so this is a good place to start.
How do I measure my weight?
- Place scales on a flat, hard surface (not on carpet)
- Remove shoes and any heavy clothing
- Step onto the scales and stand with both feet in the centre of the scale
- Record your weight to the nearest 0.1kg
Don't have scales? Ask your midwife or doctor to be weighed at each antenatal visit
I'm under 18 - can I still use this calculator?
If you are under 18 it is recommended to see your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional about your healthy weight gain during pregnancy and get regular dietary advice on what foods are best for you from a dietitian. This calculator focuses on guidelines for adults. The adult body mass index (BMI) only includes data for people 18 years of age and older. This is because the body composition and size of those under 18 are different from those of adults.
What is the pregnancy weight gain calculator based on?
These results are based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations. Please note that recommended weight gain ranges are a guide and provide suggested limits rather than specific goals.
The Institute of Medicine recommendations for pregnancy weight gain only covers up until 40 weeks of pregnancy. You may continue tracking your weight gain on the calculator, but please consult your pregnancy carer for advice past your estimated due date.
Is the pregnancy weigh gain calculator for me?
Due to the data sources that are available, the calculator might not give exact results for women from cultures other than Asian, Caucasian, and Indian cultures. Please talk to your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or health professional if you have any questions or concerns. For further information visit the Pregnancy Care Guidelines.
- For further information visit: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-d-clinical-assessments/weight-and-body-mass-index
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