How much weight should you gain in pregnancy?
Healthy weight gain supports your baby's growth and your own health. Too little gain is linked with small babies, and too much with gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and difficult delivery.
The right amount depends on your weight before pregnancy (your BMI) and whether you are expecting one baby or twins. This calculator uses the Institute of Medicine guidelines.
How the range is worked out
The recommended total gain is set by your BMI category. The calculator spreads it across the weeks to show the range you would expect at your current week.
Worked example
60 kg before pregnancy, 162 cm, single baby, week 20
- Pre-pregnancy BMI
- 22.9 (normal)
- Recommended total gain
- 11.5 – 16 kg
- Expected gain by week 20
- 3.4 – 5.6 kg
Recommended total gain (one baby)
Twins: about 17–25 kg (normal BMI), 14–23 kg (overweight) and 11–19 kg (obese).
| Pre-pregnancy BMI | Total gain |
|---|---|
| Under 18.5 | 12.5 – 18 kg |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | 11.5 – 16 kg |
| 25 – 29.9 | 7 – 11.5 kg |
| 30 and above | 5 – 9 kg |
These ranges are general guidelines using WHO BMI categories. Indian women may need a personalised target — follow your doctor or dietitian.

