Proper weight gain during pregnancy is important to ensure the health of you and your baby. Correct weight gain means that you should not gain too much or too little weight.
Women who gain too little during pregnancy are at greater risk of having a premature birth or giving birth to a baby of too low a weight. On the other hand, women whose weight gain exceeds the recommended standards are more prone to certain conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or varicose veins. In addition, they are more likely to have an increased risk of preterm labor and giving birth to a baby of the wrong weight (too low or too high).
In addition to the total weight gain during pregnancy, the rate of weight gain is also important. Weight should increase steadily, not in leaps and bounds. Too rapid weight gain puts undue strain on a woman's body and can cause, among other things, back pain or significantly increase the risk of stretch marks - the change in weight occurs too rapidly and the abdominal skin does not have time to adjust, as a result of which it cracks.
In determining the optimal weight gain during pregnancy, the OvuFriend pregnancy calendar is helpful - the system will calculate your optimal weight gain for you and allow you to keep track of the rate of change (read more What is a weight chart in the OvuFriend pregnancy calendar?).