Did you know that ideal weight gain can support fetal growth? Maintaining weight during pregnancy is also one of the most important things you can do. But, do you know what the normal weight of a 35-week pregnant woman is?
While every pregnancy will be different, there are guidelines you can follow to track your pregnancy weight gain by week and trimester, so you can know how much weight you need to gain or lose.
However, it is important to remember that there is a normal range when it comes to weight gain during pregnancy. Rather than obsessing over your weight gain, talk to your obstetrician to make sure everything is on track.
Normal Weight of 35 Weeks Pregnant Women
The amount of weight a mother gains during pregnancy depends on several factors, including:
- pre-pregnancy (before pregnancy) body mass index (BMI)
- number of pregnancies
- physical activity level
- nutritional habits
The amount of weight a mother is expected to gain during her pregnancy depends on her pre-pregnancy BMI. So, to know what is a normal weight gain during the third trimester, you need to know your pre-pregnancy BMI.
The following table contains recommendations for pregnancy weight gain, in kilograms (kg), based on BMI from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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BMI before pregnancy
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Weight gain for pregnant women with one baby
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Weight gain for pregnant women with one baby
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<18.5
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12 – 18 kg
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22 – 28 kg
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18.5 – 24.9
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11 – 15 kg
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16 – 24 kg
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25 – 29.9
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6 – 11 kg
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14 – 22 kg
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≥30
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4 – 9 kg
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11 – 19 kg
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At 35 weeks pregnant, your uterus will have grown about 6 inches above your belly button. By now, you may have gained about 10 – 13 kg. Consult your doctor to find out whether your weight gain is ideal or not.
What if you are underweight?
Being underweight or gaining too little weight during pregnancy can lead to problems such as premature birth and low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg or 5.5 pounds at birth).
It can also mean that your body isn’t storing enough fat, and is usually linked to diet and weight before you get pregnant. However, some women who are naturally slim stay slim during pregnancy and have healthy babies.
To avoid the fetus from lacking nutrients or experiencing more serious medical conditions, consult a doctor about a healthy diet that needs to be followed.
Moms can change their diet and choose foods rich in healthy fats to gain weight during pregnancy. Also make sure that Moms get monitoring related to the weight of the fetus.
What if you are overweight?
Gaining too much weight can affect your health and increase your blood pressure. However, keep in mind that pregnancy is not the right time to go on a diet, as it can harm the health of the fetus.
It is very important that you eat healthily. So, try to pay attention to your daily intake and consult your doctor about things to avoid. Gaining too much weight can increase your risk of complications. These include:
- Gestational diabetes : too much glucose (sugar) in the blood during pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes, which increases the risk of having a large baby.
- Pre-eclampsia: High blood pressure can be the first sign of pre-eclampsia; although most cases are mild and cause no problems, it can be serious. So, it’s best not to ignore it.
How to Manage Weight During Pregnancy
Some women may already be overweight when they become pregnant. Others may need to gain weight during pregnancy. However, a pregnant woman should not diet or try to lose weight during pregnancy.
It’s better to focus on eating the right foods and staying active. If you don’t gain enough weight during pregnancy, you and your baby may have problems.
However, you can make changes to your daily diet to get the nutrients you need without gaining too much weight. Talk to your doctor for help in planning a healthy diet.
Here are some healthy eating tips to help you get started.
1. Choose Healthy Foods
Fresh fruits and vegetables make good snacks. They contain many vitamins and are low in calories and fat.
Focus on nutritious, satisfying foods that are rich in healthy fats or proteins, such as nuts, legumes, fatty fish, lean meats, and dairy products. Eat breads, crackers, and cereals made from whole grains.
Choose low-fat dairy products. You need at least 4 servings of dairy products each day. However, using skim, 1%, or 2% milk will greatly reduce the amount of calories and fat you eat. Also choose low-fat or fat-free cheese or yogurt.
Moms may want to know a rough daily estimate of calorie needs during pregnancy. Here is the range of calorie needs based on trimester of pregnancy.
- First trimester: You probably don’t need extra calories, unless you started your pregnancy underweight.
- Second trimester: Add about 300 to 350 additional calories per day to your pre-pregnancy diet.
- Third trimester: You will need about 500 more calories per day than you did before you became pregnant.
Foods to avoid:
- Natural sweeteners are better than foods and drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Foods and drinks that list sugar or corn syrup as one of the first ingredients are not good choices.
- Many sweet drinks are high in calories. Read labels and be careful with drinks that contain high sugar. Substitute water for soda and fruit drinks.
- Avoid junk food snacks , such as chips, candy, cookies, cakes, and ice cream. The best way to avoid eating junk food or other unhealthy snacks is to not have these foods in the house.
- Cut down on fats. Fats include cooking oils, margarine, butter, sauces, dressings, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, lard, sour cream, and cream cheese. Try low-fat versions of these foods.
2. Be Careful When Eating Out
- Knowing the amount of calories, fat, and salt in food can help you eat healthier.
- Most restaurants have menus and nutrition facts on their websites. Use these to plan ahead.
- In general, eat at places that offer salads, soups, and vegetables. Avoid fast food.
3. Pay attention when cooking at home
- Prepare meals using low-fat cooking methods.
- Avoid fried foods. Frying foods in oil or butter will increase the calories and fat of the food.
- Baking and boiling are healthier, lower-fat cooking methods.
4. Regular exercise
- Moderate exercise, as recommended by your doctor, can help burn extra calories.
- Walking and swimming are generally safe, and can be effective exercises for pregnant women.
- Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
When to Worry and Call a Doctor?
Pregnant women should consult a doctor and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- constant nausea
- several episodes of vomiting every day
- sudden swelling of the face and hands after the 20th week of pregnancy, as this may indicate preeclampsia
- chronic fatigue
- hard to breathe
- extreme thirst or hunger
- vaginal spotting or bleeding
- cramps in the abdomen or pelvic area
- increased vaginal discharge
It’s natural to worry about losing weight after pregnancy, but try not to stress about it. You’ll gain the weight you need during pregnancy, and there are plenty of healthy ways to lose it gradually.
Ways to do this include eating nutrient-dense foods after giving birth or breastfeeding, taking your baby for regular walks, and trying yoga or gym classes once you’re cleared to exercise.
Try not to get too caught up in the ups and downs of pregnancy weight gain, as long as you’re on track. And if you suddenly gain weight (or don’t gain it at all), reach out to your doctor for guidance.
That’s the information about the normal weight of a 35-week pregnant woman. Hopefully this information is useful!
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