Whatcha Got in That Big Pregnant Belly?

I picked up my son from preschool the other day and overheard a woman say, “I gained 40 pounds when I was pregnant.” I did too. So, I naturally glanced over and gave her the once-over. She was stunning with a beautiful little tyke propped on her hip. I don’t look anywhere near that great. She obviously didn’t have any problem melting away those L-bees.

I remember when I was pregnant wigging out about being so big and my friend Robin, who is some kind of maternal-child health expert with the March of Dimes, reassured me that even though my child would account for less than a fourth of my weight gain, the rest was not just wads of fat. That weight gain was due to other juices and swelling organs and such. She did agree that I had packed on about 10 pounds more than I should have. According to the March of Dimes, a woman should gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Gaining too much or too little can be harmful to baby.

It could have been worse, though. I have a friend who while pregnant topped the scales at 98 pounds over her pre-pregnancy weight. The doctor was scheduling her C-section and my friend demanded the earliest possible appointment because, she said, she refused to pass the 100-pounds-over-pre-pregnancy mark. Can’t say that I blame her for that.

So, what makes up all that weight gain in your oversized pregnant bellies? Here are some approximate breakdowns, courtesy of the March of Dimes.

Blood – 3 pounds
Breasts – 2 pounds
Womb – 2 pounds
Baby – 7.5 pounds
Placenta – 1.5 pounds
Amniotic fluid – 2 pounds
Fat, protein & other nutrients – 7 pounds
Retained water – 4 pounds

(photo, sxc)

JWJourney