Track Your Pregnancy Weight

Enter your pre-pregnancy stats to get personalized IOM guidelines. Log your weight each week and see exactly how you're tracking — all saved on your device, no sign-up needed.

Your Profile

Log This Week

Enter your pre-pregnancy weight and height first to get personalized tracking.

Weight Progress Chart

Your weight
IOM range
📈 Log your first weight entry to see your progress chart.

Weight Log

⚖️ Your weekly weight entries will appear here. Each entry shows your gain from pre-pregnancy and how it compares to the IOM recommended range.

Where Does the Weight Go?

Pregnancy weight gain isn't just fat. For a 30 lb total gain, here's the typical breakdown:

7–8 lbs
Baby
1.5 lbs
Placenta
2 lbs
Amniotic fluid
2 lbs
Uterus growth
2 lbs
Breast tissue
3–4 lbs
Blood volume increase
2–3 lbs
Fluid retention
7–8 lbs
Maternal fat (breastfeeding fuel)

The maternal fat stores aren't wasted — they're the body's preparation for breastfeeding, which requires 300–500 extra calories daily. Women who breastfeed often lose this postpartum weight more readily.

🤱 Questions about your weight gain pattern? CradleWise subscribers can ask Erin directly — she'll walk you through what's normal for your body and situation.

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Weight Gain by Trimester

Gain isn't linear — each trimester has different patterns driven by fetal development, hormones, and physical changes.

First Trimester · Weeks 1–12

1–4 lbs total

Fetal growth is minimal — baby is less than an ounce. Most gain is from blood volume expansion and breast tissue. Nausea can actually cause weight loss for some women. Don't panic if you gain little or even lose a few pounds.

Second Trimester · Weeks 13–26

~1 lb/week

The most consistent period of gain. Baby grows rapidly, amniotic fluid increases, and appetite typically improves. Normal-weight women aim for roughly 0.8–1 lb per week. This is when the tracker becomes most useful.

Third Trimester · Weeks 27–40

~1 lb/week

Similar to second trimester. Baby's weight gain accelerates (½ lb/week in the last month alone). Fluid retention increases, especially in feet and ankles. Some women plateau or lose 1–2 lbs in the final week before labor begins.

These are averages — your pattern may look different and still be completely healthy. The trend across weeks matters more than any single weigh-in.

Eating for Healthy Weight Gain

The goal isn't to eat less or more — it's to eat well. Pregnancy doesn't require dramatically more calories (typically +300 in the second trimester, +450 in the third), but food quality matters more than ever.

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Prioritize nutrient density

Leafy greens, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins pack in iron, folate, calcium, and fiber without empty calories.

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Stay hydrated

Aim for 8–10 cups of water daily. Dehydration is easily mistaken for hunger. It also reduces common pregnancy swelling.

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Eat small, frequent meals

5–6 smaller meals beats 3 large ones for nausea management, blood sugar stability, and heartburn reduction — all pregnancy staples.

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Don't fear healthy fats

Avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish (low-mercury) support fetal brain development. These are healthy calorie sources, not things to restrict.

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Limit ultra-processed foods

Chips, fast food, and sugary drinks add calories with little nutritional return — and can make hitting your range harder to control.

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Weigh weekly, not daily

Daily weight fluctuates 1–3 lbs from fluid alone. Weekly measurements, same time, same conditions — give a true picture.

📋 When to Talk to Your Provider About Weight

  • Gaining significantly more or less than the IOM guideline for your BMI
  • Sudden rapid gain (3+ lbs in a week) — can signal preeclampsia
  • No weight gain at all during the second trimester
  • Consistent weight loss after the first trimester
  • Persistent severe nausea preventing you from eating
  • Swelling in hands, face, or legs (beyond normal ankle swelling)
⚠️ This tool provides general guidelines only — not medical advice. Weight gain recommendations vary by multiple factors including whether you're carrying twins, your health history, and your provider's assessment of your specific pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The IOM guidelines are based on your pre-pregnancy BMI: underweight (BMI under 18.5) should gain 28–40 lbs; normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) should gain 25–35 lbs; overweight (BMI 25–29.9) should gain 15–25 lbs; and obese (BMI 30+) should gain 11–20 lbs. These are guidelines, not targets — your provider may give different advice based on your specific situation, health history, or if you're carrying multiples.
Most women gain only 1–4 lbs in the first trimester — fetal growth is minimal before 12 weeks. The second and third trimesters see the most consistent gains: roughly 0.8–1 lb per week for normal-weight women. The exact rate varies week to week — some weeks you gain more, some less. What matters is the overall trend, not any single weigh-in.
Gaining too little can affect fetal growth and increase risk of preterm birth. Gaining too much increases risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and cesarean delivery. Either way, bring it up with your provider — don't attempt to restrict or accelerate weight gain without guidance. One or two weeks outside the IOM range is rarely cause for alarm. A consistent trend in the wrong direction is when to act.
For a typical 30 lb total gain: baby accounts for about 7–8 lbs, placenta about 1.5 lbs, amniotic fluid about 2 lbs, uterus growth about 2 lbs, breast tissue about 2 lbs, blood volume increase about 3–4 lbs, fluid retention about 2–3 lbs, and maternal fat stores about 7–8 lbs. The maternal fat is the body's preparation for breastfeeding — it's not wasted gain.
Daily weigh-ins aren't recommended — normal day-to-day fluid fluctuations of 1–3 lbs can create unnecessary anxiety. Weekly weigh-ins, at the same time of day (morning, before eating, after using the bathroom), give a much clearer picture of actual trends. Your provider also checks weight at prenatal visits — that's the most clinically relevant tracking.
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Ask Erin About Your Weight Gain

Not sure if you're on track? CradleWise subscribers can message Erin's AI doula 24/7 — get personalized guidance from a doula who's supported 200+ pregnancies.

Start for $27/mo
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Kick Counter

In your third trimester? Track fetal movement with our free kick counter. Know when 10 kicks in 2 hours means everything is fine — and when to call your provider.

Count Kicks →
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Gift for an Expecting Mom

Know someone pregnant? Gift her 24/7 doula support from Erin — available every week of her pregnancy, whenever she needs it. Starting at $57.

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Pregnancy nutrition tips from Erin

Weekly guidance on eating well, managing weight gain, and what to expect each trimester — from a doula who has supported 200+ births.

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