Do you ever think about how celebrities return to their pre-pregnancy weight so easily? This is because they don't gain any unwanted weight during pregnancy and yet produce a healthy baby. By extra weight we mean the weight gained by the mother excluding the additional weight of the baby, placenta, womb, and the extra blood supply. Many doctors believe that pregnant women do not have to gain extra weight to produce a healthy baby. These tips will show you how keep off those unnecessary pounds.

Normal vs. Extra Weight Gain

You should be able to distinguish normal from extra weight gain; normal weight gain is the weigh that will disappear after giving birth, while the extra weigh will not be easily discarded after the baby is born.

Under normal conditions, a healthy woman will gain about 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, the underweight will gain 28-40 pounds, and an overweight will gain 15-25 pounds. This weight should be added on gradually following the first trimester at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week. What good are these extra pounds for? Normal weight gain accounts for the weight of your growing baby, the uterus, tissues and others that are needed for the development of the baby. The following is a detailed list of the extra pounds:

•The baby should weigh between 7 to 8 pounds with the uterus accounting for 2 to 5 pounds.

•The placenta excluding the baby weighs around 2 to 3 pounds.

•Your enlarging breasts weighs about 2 to 3 pounds while the stored fats needed for breast-feeding and delivery weigh around 5 to 9 pounds.

•The amniotic fluid in your body is approximately 2 to 3 pounds.

•The additional blood supply needed by the baby is close to 4 pounds.

Any more pounds beyond these are extra weight and are not needed. This weight is difficult to take off after having a baby

Eating for Two

The myth that says that mothers should eat for two is untrue and will only lead to extra weight gain. It is popularly known that a healthy expectant mother needs an extra 100 to 300 calories to make their babies healthy even while still inside the womb. A bowl of cereal and an apple is all what is required. You may be disappointed, however, but if you are eating any more, your body just stores the extra calories as fat. Extra fat gained during pregnancy may not be obvious now, but surely you will notice it when you try to fit into your pre pregnancy jeans.

Maintain a healthy diet that will keep you away from unwanted gain weight during pregnancy. Keep a healthy diet and this includes fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole wheat breads. Good nutrition helps you to keep in shape and is important for your baby, too.

Move that Baby Bump

Very often magazines show photos of the pregnant celebrities taking a walk. That's because most doctors agree that exercise is good for healthy expectant mothers. Exercise like taking long walks may help burn extra calories accumulated during the span of pregnancy. Not to mention the extra blood flow does wonders for evening out mood swings. These tips are for pregnant women who are healthy and have consulted their doctors about not gaining extra weight during pregnancy. It is not recommended for women to attempt to not gain healthy weight during a pregnancy. The mother and unborn baby may experience unhealthy side effects. Always check with your doctor.