Most expectant women are concerned about the weight they will gain during their pregnancies. Any current pregnancy weight gain chart will show that the weight gained during a pregnancy should be done slowly and steadily. But still, many women will gain far more that the recommended levels. But fortunately, weight gain in a pregnancy can be monitored and controlled quite effectively through a well-balanced diet and exercise.

For women of a normal weight, the recommended pregnancy weight gain must be between 25 and 35 pounds. Those women, who are underweight, should gain from 28 and up to 40 pounds, while overweight women must gain between 15 and 25 pounds. For obese women, the pregnancy weight gain should not exceed 15 pounds. When women exceed these recommended weights during pregnancy, it has been shown that they will very likely be overweight one year after they deliver they babies.

There is a breakdown of the weight pregnant women should gain by trimester. Based on the body type of the woman, there will be variations to a degree, but the following will still give a general rule of thumb guide for all pregnant women:

- First Trimester recommended - 1pound gain each month

- Second Trimester- ½ pound gain each week

- Third Trimester - should gain 1 pound each week

The recommended weight gains will be attained if the pregnant woman eats the correct foods and exercises while she is pregnant. Many women have heard, and may even believe a "eating for two" recommendation. This does not imply that a woman needs to eat for two people. The meaning is that a woman should consume an extra 100 calories each day while in the first trimester, an extra 300 calories each day while in the second and the third trimesters.

When it comes to exercise, unlike in the days gone by when a woman believed that she must spend all her days in bed her whole pregnancy, it has been shown that exercising is not just safe for a pregnant woman, but it is also highly recommended in order for her to have a healthy pregnancy. A pregnant woman will be able to maintain her current exercise program through her first trimester. But after that, she will have to take it a lot slower or even change to a new exercise for the rest of her term.