| What should I do if I have gestational diabetes? (Cont'd) Maintain a healthy weight gain 
What is it?
Why do I have to do it?
How do I do it?
When do I do it?
How do I know I'm doing it right?
Are there any other ways I can maintain a healthy weight gain?
What is it?
Healthy weight gain can mean either your overall weight gain, or your weekly rate of weight gain. Some health care providers focus only on overall gain or only on weekly gain, but some keep track of both types of weight gain. First, let's look at overall weight gain.
The amount of weight gain that is healthy for you depends on how much you weighed before you were pregnant. Find your pre-pregnancy weight and height in the table below. Then look at the bottom row of the table to find your overall healthy weight gain goal.
If you are expecting twins, an overall weight gain of 35 to 45 pounds7 is considered healthy.
Remember that these goals are only a general range for overall weight gain. Your health care provider will let you know if you're gaining too much or too little weight for a healthy pregnancy. Weight loss can be dangerous during any part of your pregnancy. Report any weight loss to your health care provider right away.
OVERALL WEIGHT GAIN GOALS
(by pre-pregnancy height and weight)8 | H E I G H T
(Without Shoes) | WEIGHT STATUS CATEGORY
(Weight in pounds, in light, indoor clothing) | | | ft. | in. | A* | B | C | D | | | 4 | 9 | 92 or less | 93-113 | 114-134 | 135 or more | | 4 | 10 | 94 or less | 95-117 | 118-138 | 139 or more | | 4 | 11 | 97 or less | 98-120 | 121-142 | 143 or more | | 5 | 0 | 100 or less | 101-123 | 124-146 | 147 or more | | 5 | 1 | 103 or less | 104-127 | 128-150 | 151 or more | | 5 | 2 | 106 or less | 107-131 | 132-155 | 156 or more | | 5 | 3 | 109 or less | 110-134 | 135-159 | 160 or more | | 5 | 4 | 113 or less | 114-140 | 141-165 | 166 or more | | 5 | 5 | 117 or less | 118-144 | 145-170 | 171 or more | | 5 | 6 | 121 or less | 122-149 | 150-176 | 177 or more | | 5 | 7 | 124 or less | 125-153 | 154-181 | 182 or more | | 5 | 8 | 128 or less | 129-157 | 158-186 | 187 or more | | 5 | 9 | 131 or less | 132-162 | 163-191 | 192 or more | | 5 | 10 | 135 or less | 136-166 | 167-196 | 197 or more | | 5 | 11 | 139 or less | 140-171 | 172-202 | 203 or more | | 6 | 0 | 142 or less | 143-175 | 176-207 | 208 or more | | Your overall
weight gain
goal is: | 35-40* | 30-35 | 22-27 | 15-20 |
# You may also fall into this category if you are a teenager or if you smoke.
* The weight gain goal for women in this category may range from 40 to 45 pounds.
Why do I have to do it?
Usually, people gain weight because the amount of fuel they take in, as food, is higher than the amount they use up, as energy. When you have gestational diabetes, if you gain too much weight, gain weight too quickly, or begin to lose weight, your body may be telling you something is wrong. Because your body's insulin isn't working well already, your condition can get out of control quickly if you gain too much weight, or if you gain weight too quickly.
How do I do it?
 You already learned two useful ways to maintain a healthy weight gain: eating a healthy diet as outlined by your health care provider, and getting regular, moderate physical activity.
If you think your weight gain is out-of-control, but you are following a recommended diet and physical activity program, tell your health care provider. He or she will adjust your treatment plan to get your weight gain back into healthy range.
When do I do it?
It's a good idea to keep track of how much weight you gain from the time you learn you are pregnant to the time you have the baby. Knowing your weight status can help your health care provider detect possible problems before they become dangerous.
It's also a good idea to weigh yourself on the same day of the week and at the same time of day. Your health care provider can make a schedule for you so you know how often to weigh yourself and at what time of day. You will also be weighed at your prenatal appointments.
How do I know that I'm doing it right?
One way to determine if your overall weight gain is within the healthy range is to follow your weekly rate of weight gain. The table below gives some general guidelines for weekly rate of weight gain.
Some health care providers feel that your weekly rate of gain is just as important as your overall weight gain because it shows how well your treatment plan is working to control your gestational diabetes. If your weekly rate of gain is low, you might need to adjust your diet to get more calories. If your weekly rate of gain is high, you may be developing a condition called preeclampsia, which can be dangerous. (See the section titled Your health care provider might also ask you to: Have your blood pressure checked as indicated for more information about preeclampsia.)
| WEEKLY RATE OF WEIGHT GAIN9 | | Aim to keep your weekly rate of weight gain within these healthy ranges: | | In the first trimester of pregnancy: (the first 3 months) | Three-to-six pounds for the
entire three months. | | During the second and third trimesters: (the last 6 months) | Between 1/2 and one (1) pound each week. | | If you gained too much weight early in the pregnancy | Limit weight gain to 3/4 of a pound each week (3 pounds each month) to help get your blood sugar level under control. | | A weight gain of two (2) pounds or more each week is considered high. |
Keep in mind that your weekly rate of weight gain may go up and down throughout the course of your pregnancy. Some weeks you may gain weight, other weeks you won't; as a result, your weekly rate of gain may not match your overall weight gain goal exactly. Your health care provider will let you know if you're gaining too much or too little weight for a healthy pregnancy. Weight loss can be dangerous during any part of your pregnancy. Report any weight loss to your health care provider right away.
You may also notice that your weight gain slows down or stops for a time. It should start going up again after one-to-two weeks. If not, tell your health care provider immediately. He or she may need to adjust your treatment plan.
Are there any other ways I can maintain a healthy weight gain?
Some general guidelines10 that might help you reach your target weekly rate of gain include: - Try to get more light or moderate physical activity, if your health care provider says it's safe.
- Use the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages to make lower-calorie food choices that fit into your meal plan.
- Eat fewer fried foods and "fast" foods.
- Eat healthy foods that fit into your meal plan, such as salads with low-fat dressings and broiled or grilled chicken.
- Use less butter and margarine on food, or don't use them at all.
- Use spices and herbs (such as curry, garlic, and parsley) and low-fat or lowercalorie sauces to flavor rice and pasta.
- Eat smaller meals and have low-calorie snacks more often, to ensure that your body has a constant glucose supply, and to prevent yourself from getting very hungry.
- Avoid skipping meals or cutting back too much on breakfast or lunch. Eating less food or skipping meals could make you overly hungry at the next meal, causing you to overeat.
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