Average total weight gain during pregnancy?

• A. 27 lb
• B. 15 lb
• C. 40 lb
• D. 50 lb

Answer: (A)

Weight gain during pregnancy depends on pre-pregnancy body size, but for someone with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI, the typical total gain is about 25–35 pounds. A gain of 27 pounds falls squarely in that expected range, making it a reasonable average for most pregnancies. Weight gain is usually distributed with about 1–4 pounds in the first trimester, then roughly 1 pound per week in the second and third trimesters. The other numbers are outside the common range for a normal-BMI pregnancy: 15 pounds is generally too little, 40 pounds is higher than average (possible in some scenarios), and 50 pounds is well above the usual recommendation.