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Weight-gain ranges
The Institute of Medicine ranges for total gestational weight gain by pre-pregnancy BMI, plus the breastfeeding energy note — published ranges, not prescriptions.
These are estimates for planning, built from published methods (Naegele, ACOG, IOM) — not antenatal care. Your clinician adjusts dates to your actual measurements and history; that personalised answer is the one that counts.
| Pre-pregnancy BMI | Total weight gain (IOM 2009) |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 (underweight) | 12.5-18 kg |
| 18.5-24.9 (normal weight) | 11.5-16 kg |
| 25.0-29.9 (overweight) | 7-11.5 kg |
| 30.0 and above (obesity) | 5-9 kg |
Which range applies to you
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Beyond the total
The total is only half the guidance: the IOM pattern for a normal-BMI pregnancy is 0.5-2 kg across the first trimester and roughly 0.4 kg per week after. The curve matters more than any single weigh-in. While breastfeeding, energy needs run about 500 kcal per day higher (ACOG) — the body usually asks for it by itself.
Source: IOM / NRC 2009 — weight gain during pregnancy: reexamining the guidelines · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
How much weight should I gain in pregnancy?
Per the IOM: 12.5-18 kg if underweight before pregnancy, 11.5-16 kg at normal weight, 7-11.5 kg if overweight, and 5-9 kg with obesity. The range, not the midpoint, is the guidance.
Does the pace matter as much as the total?
Yes — the IOM pattern is roughly 0.5-2 kg in the first trimester and about 0.4 kg per week after that for a normal-weight pregnancy. Your clinician tracks your curve against that pattern.
Does breastfeeding change energy needs?
Yes: breastfeeding needs roughly 500 extra kcal per day, per ACOG. Appetite usually rises to match — the guidance is about quality, not about forcing the number.
The curve, not the scale
TempoLife keeps weight, sleep and food in one log — the trend your midwife will ask about at every visit.