Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements

Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements

Optimal Weight Gain

■ Total weight gain during pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 20–24 lb ■ First trimester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . about 2–3 lb ■ Second–third trimester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/4 lb every week

Nutritional Requirements

■ Additional caloric needs .................. 300 cal/day (2500 total) ■ Protein ............................................... 75 g/day ■ Carbohydrate .................................... 175 g/day (mostly complex) ■ Fiber................................................... 28 g/day ■ Fats .................................................... 20–35 g/day ■ Sodium ..................................... should not be restricted unless under MD guidance ■ Iron ............................................ 27 mg/day ■ Calcium ..................................... 1000 mg/day ■ Folic acid................................... 600 _g/day (500 _g/day while lactating) ■ Daily fluid intake ...................... ~3 L/day unless preeclampsia exists