One of the biggest concerns for pregnant women is about the health of their baby inside the womb. Of course, tests, doctor visits, and prenatal care help provide a general overview, and often relief for those more anxious. However, when it comes to the baby’s weight, many women still have lingering doubts. Is the baby too heavy? Is it too light? What influences the baby’s weight gain in the womb? What should I eat to increase the weight? And how can I reduce it? Thinking about all these questions, we decided to gather the main information about baby weight inside the mother’s womb so you can be less worried and more at ease during pregnancy. But first of all, do you know how the baby’s weight is calculated inside your belly?
How to Know Your Baby’s Weight Inside the Mother’s Womb?
It’s important to know that during part of the pregnancy the baby is very small and does not gain significant weight, but from the 20th week on, things start to change1. From that moment, the baby begins to gain weight more rapidly, gaining up to 200g per week. In the last weeks of pregnancy, this growth is even faster. To estimate a baby’s size, doctors calculate it from imaging exams such as ultrasound. This calculation is basically the length of the femur multiplied by seven. With this result, it’s possible to know if the baby is too big or too small2. However, it’s always important to note that each pregnancy is different and each baby gains weight based on several factors, such as the parents’ height and the type of diet the mother is following. You don’t need to worry if your baby isn’t gaining weight the way you think it should; talk to your doctor and if there’s a problem, they will advise you in the best way.
Does the Mother’s Weight Influence the Baby’s Weight?
Yes, we can say that the mother’s weight during and even before pregnancy does influence the baby’s weight gain in the womb. This is because it all depends on the diet and the lifestyle the woman maintains throughout her pregnancy3. A woman with irregular eating habits can give birth to a baby with weight problems. Therefore, it’s always important to pay attention to nutrition, practice appropriate physical activities for each stage, and take special care of the body and health during pregnancy. And this care should start as early as possible. Ideally, see a specialist as soon as you start planning a pregnancy. The sooner eating habits are regulated, the better!
Does Eating a Lot Make the Baby Gain More Weight?
Knowing this, we can conclude that eating excessively without following an appropriate diet can lead the baby to gain weight in an undesirable way, possibly causing problems such as being overweight not only at birth, but later in life as well. If the pregnant woman is having trouble eating or developing healthy habits, she should inform her doctor who may prescribe a diet and nutritional supplements.
Foods to Increase the Baby’s Weight
The baby’s weight gain should happen naturally, and it happens when the woman eats properly and has a healthy lifestyle. However, when nutritional intervention is needed so that the baby gains more weight, almost always nutritional supplements are prescribed to help and complement the woman’s diet. It’s important to know that during pregnancy a woman should gain between 10 and 15kg, but this varies for every case. In the case of thinner women, it’s recommended to gain more weight, whereas for women with obesity, the ideal is to not gain more than 11kg. Many women believe the phrase “eating for two” during pregnancy, but this is a myth. You should eat only what is necessary and eat healthily. There’s no point in overeating to make the baby gain weight, as this could cause complications both for the pregnancy and for the baby after birth. 
Foods Not Recommended During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the basic advice is to follow a healthy diet. If the woman doesn’t have any health problems and is having a healthy pregnancy, there isn’t much to worry about. However, if the woman has a disease such as high blood pressure or diabetes or presented any complication during pregnancy, it is important to pay special attention to what she eats during this period. Most likely, the doctor and a nutritionist will help with this task. Some foods that are not recommended during pregnancy include raw eggs and raw or undercooked meat, as these can pose a higher risk of contamination and infection. As for Japanese food, the guidance is that the pregnant woman should only eat at trusted places she’s already familiar with. Pregnant women also need to stay away from alcoholic beverages, because besides the risk of serious damage such as malformation, alcohol consumption is also connected with low birth weight. Pregnant women are also advised not to drink or to greatly reduce their consumption of caffeinated drinks. Above all, it is important to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. Therefore, prefer lean meats, oats, nuts, fruits, vegetables, skim milk, and beans! Try to keep your diet as free of fat and sugar as possible. As you can see, there are many myths about what influences baby’s weight gain in a woman’s belly, and many things we believe aren’t actually true. That’s exactly why you should always check information and make the best use possible of what you learn. Be careful not to fall for myths and end up following a diet that doesn’t help your baby gain or lose weight. Remember that the most important thing is always to maintain healthy eating habits, rich in vitamins and proteins – after all, this is just the beginning, and when the baby comes, many other concerns will arise. And that’s a very positive sign! See also: Ideal Weight Gain During Pregnancy Photo: James Gathany
