It can be easy for some women to pack on the pounds during pregnancy. Even though you do need to gain some additional weight, gaining too much weight can have a negative impact. If you gain excess weight during pregnancy (usually more than 40 pounds), you increase your risk for gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Both of these conditions can put you and your baby at risk for complications.

Too much weight can also make pregnancy much more uncomfortable, causing backache, leg pain, varicose veins, and fatigue. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can also lead to a heavier baby, which can cause complications during labor and delivery. Some experts find that extremely overweight women tend to have longer labors and are at higher risk for cesarean sections. Additionally, according to the Journal of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women who tend to gain more weight than what is recommended during pregnancy and who do not lose the excess weight within six months of giving birth are at a much higher risk of being obese eight to ten years down the road.

What to Do

It is wise to keep regular doctor's appointments so your health-care provider can monitor your weight on a regular basis. If you are gaining weight too rapidly, you may need to adjust your eating plan. Check to make sure you are not overeating or eating the wrong types of foods. Be clear on how many extra calories you should actually be eating, what portion sizes should look like, and the number of servings you should be consuming from each food group. Remember that you are not eating for two full-size adults. You only need to consume about 300 calories more than your maintenance calorie needs each day.

Most importantly, do not obsess about weight gain. Keep in mind that you will gain and that you need to gain, but also remember this must happen in moderation. All women are different, so your rate of gain may differ from others. Stick to a healthy and well-balanced diet that includes all of the food groups in the correct servings and portion sizes; watch your fat intake; cut back on the junk foods; and get enough protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. Do all this, and you are doing what you can to moderate your weight gain and stay healthy. If you are concerned about your diet, contact a dietitian who can help you properly analyze your food intake and put you on the healthiest path.

If you feel you are gaining too much weight, keep in mind that the gain may be due to water retention. Women who retain large amounts of water may experience swelling, or edema, in their lower legs and/or hands. In this case, you cannot really count on the scale to indicate whether you are eating enough or too much. Make sure you are drinking the recommended amount of fluids, which can help flush out stored fluid. Some degree of edema is normal, but if you feel you are experiencing an extreme case, speak with your doctor.