Download Pregnancy weight range chart leaflet RCM.indd

a guide for midwives
Being both under and overweight are strongly linked to complications before, during and
after pregnancy, so it is important to discuss a pregnant woman’s weight and possible risks
as well as providing support to make healthy changes. Below is a reminder of the potential
complications related to the different weight categories on the chart overleaf:
BMI <18.5kg/m2
Underweight
Being underweight can be unhealthy and lead to problems such as
osteoporosis and anaemia. It also reduces a woman’s chances of
becoming pregnant.
A woman in this range may not be eating sufficient food to supply
her body and, if pregnant, the growing baby with the nutrition they
need. It is important to provide information on healthy eating and to
encourage weight gain during pregnancy.
Women in this range are at least risk of weight-related complications.
BMI 18.5 – 25kg/m2
Healthy weight
BMI 25-30kg/m2
At risk of
developing weight
related health
problems
BMI >30kg/m2
At greatest risk of
developing weight
related health
problems
It is important to encourage women to eat healthily and to be physically
active to help prevent excess weight gain and the related risks.
There is no need to “eat for two”. Excess weight gain should be
avoided. For women of a healthy weight, the advised weight gain in
pregnancy is 11.5-16kg or 25-35lbs (US Institute of Medicine).
The main risks for a woman who is overweight at the start of
pregnancy is that of significant weight gain and obesity.
It is important to advise that a healthy diet and being physically active
will benefit both the woman and her unborn child during pregnancy,
helping to prevent excess weight gain and also helping her to achieve
a healthy weight after giving birth.
Being in this range poses a risk to the health of the mother and
baby and this should be carefully and sensitively explained. Risks
include: increased risks of gestational diabetes, hypertension and
thromboembolism, preterm birth, more likely to have labour induced,
to have an instrumental or operative delivery and to have a PPH, risk
of postpartum infection, increased risk of maternal death.
It is important to advise that a healthy diet and being physically active
will benefit both the woman and her unborn child during pregnancy,
help to prevent excess weight gain and will also help her to move
towards a healthy weight after giving birth.
For further information please refer to the NICE guidance for ‘Dietary interventions and
physical activity interventions for weight management before, during and after pregnancy’
(http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13056/49926/49926.pdf).
Slimming World provides healthy lifestyle support to pregnant and breast-feeding mums. During a
member’s pregnancy the support focuses on healthy lifestyle behaviours rather than weight loss.
A healthy, balanced diet without calorie restriction is promoted, and members are encouraged to
build regular activity into their daily life. Mothers are encouraged to breast-feed and we provide
additional tailored nutrition advice during this time to help new mums manage their weight.
www.slimmingworld.com/health
discussing
weight during
pregnancy
a guide for midwives
Slimming World is working closely with the RCM as an RCM Alliance
Partner to help to support pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers
in managing their weight.
While discussing a woman’s weight can sometimes be difficult, it is an extremely important
conversation to have. This pregnancy weight range chart has been created to help you
discuss a woman’s weight and possible weight-related risks during her pregnancy.
weight range chart
Weight in kilograms
To use this chart, first you need a measurement of the woman’s height and weight. Using these,
read off the chart opposite to see which colour range she falls into. The descriptions below
explain what it means to be within each range and can be used in discussion with the woman.
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150+
6'8"
The back page of the booklet provides further information on the potential complications across
the weight ranges.
In this range you are underweight:
2.02
6'7"
2.00
6'6"
1.98
6'5"
1.96
1.94
6'4"
1.92
6'2"
5'11"
5'10"
5'9"
The healthiest range:
5'8"
• You are at least risk of developing weight-related medical problems and having
complications during your pregnancy and birth
5'7"
• For a healthy pregnancy it is important to follow a healthy, balanced diet and include some
daily physical activity
5'5"
wei
6'0"
• It is important to eat a healthy balanced diet and to try to gain weight
ght
t
6'1"
• Being underweight and trying to stay within this range can be unhealthy
risk
5'6"
5'4"
5'3"
In this range you may be at risk of developing weight-related health problems:
of h
eal
grea
th p
ter
rob
risk
lem
s
of
hea
lth
pro
ble
ms
6'3"
• You may not be eating enough food to supply your own body and your growing baby
with the nutrients you both need
hea
lthy
range am I in?
pregnancy
unde
rwei
gh
what
5'2"
In this range your health is at greatest risk:
• You are at increased risk of a number of weight-related complications during your pregnancy
• Making changes to the foods you eat and becoming more active will help to reduce the
health risk and will benefit both you and your baby
• Making healthy lifestyle changes now will help you avoid gaining excess weight during
pregnancy, making it easier to move towards a healthy weight after giving birth
1.78
1.76
1.74
1.72
1.70
1.68
1.66
1.64
1.62
1.60
1.58
1.56
1.54
5'0"
1.52
4'11"
1.50
4'10"
1.48
1.46
4'9"
1.44
4'8"
6
7
8
9
Height in metres
• Making healthy lifestyle changes now will help you avoid gaining excess weight during
pregnancy, making it easier to achieve a healthy weight after giving birth
Height in inches
5'1"
• Making small changes to your diet and becoming more active will help to reduce this
risk and could also improve any existing health problems
1.90
1.88
1.86
1.84
1.82
1.80
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25+
Weight in stones
Please note: the point at which someone’s health is at risk due to their weight varies between
ethnic groups. It is recommended that Asian (South Asian and Chinese), black African and African
Caribbean populations use the area between the dotted lines as an indicator for when their health
may be at increased risk due to their weight (see the dark blue range overleaf), and the area to the
right of the purple dotted line as an indicator that their health is at greater risk (see purple range).
NICE Public Health Guidance PH46