What should a woman with a pre-pregnancy weight of 245 lbs aim to gain during her pregnancy?

For a woman with a pre-pregnancy weight of 245 lbs, the optimal weight gain during pregnancy is guided by established guidelines for individuals classified as overweight or obese. The appropriate weight gain depends on the woman’s Body Mass Index (BMI) before pregnancy.

In this case, a woman who is classified as having a higher pre-pregnancy weight should aim for a smaller amount of weight gain compared to those with a normal weight. Research suggests that women in the overweight BMI category (BMI of 25-29.9) should aim for a total weight gain of 15-25 lbs, while those categorized as obese (BMI of 30 or greater) are recommended to gain about 11-20 lbs throughout their pregnancy.

The recommendation to aim for a weight gain of 10-15 lbs aligns with the guidelines for women who start their pregnancy in the obese category. This cautious approach helps in managing potential pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertension, while also considering the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. Therefore, a target weight gain of 10-15 lbs is appropriate and considered beneficial for this specific scenario.