Where Does All the Pregnancy Weight Go?

Baby only weighs so much—so why do you gain all this weight during pregnancy? Here's a breakdown of where it's all going.

ByThe Bump Editors

Updated
Apr 2017

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends gaining 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy—but why? Here’s a pound-by-pound breakdown of how that weight is distributed across your body.

1.5 pounds: the placenta

7 pounds: maternal stores of fat, protein, and other nutrients

7.5 pounds: your average full-term baby

2 pounds: breast tissue (we know it feels like so much more!)

4 pounds: increased fluid volume

4 pounds: increased blood volume

2 pounds: the uterus

2 pounds: amniotic fluid

Total = 30 pounds

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