Pregnancy And Weight Gain

"Are you feeling the baby move? Yes, a lot."

Brooke Filleti is watching everything very closely with her pregnancy.....she's 32 weeks...and the baby boy in her belly will be her first.

"I found out you're supposed to eat more healthy and foods, but I'm very picky, so I don't like to eat healthy foods."

Brooke learned quickly if you don't eat healthy you'll pack on the pounds quickly.

"I gained about 30 pounds."

"Right now more than 60% of U.S. women in child bearing age are overweight or obese, which is a significant increase from 20 years ago."

Franklin Square Hospital OB/GYN Dr. Nicola London says new weight guidelines for expecting moms will help curb some risks.

"With weight gain they increase your risk of blood pressure going up, second is diabetes and pregnancy which is another increase risk factor for increased weight gain."

The new guidelines were issued by the Institute of Medicine....if you are underweight you should gain 28-40 pounds during your pregnancy. A woman of normal weight should gain 25 to 35 pounds. If you are overweight, pregnancy weight gain should be between 15 to 25 pounds, and if you considered obese you should gain 11 to 20 pounds. The new guidelines are about five pounds lower than the old.

"Unfortunately we do see a lot of weight gain in pregnancy because of the increase in fast food meals that are present especially in the United States. A lot of patients will gain 50, 60 pounds."

"I'm keeping up with the advice, taking my vitamins and everything good."

Brooke says she'll continue to eat healthy....exercise and keep her weight right where it should be.