That depends, say the experts, on a number of things including how high your body mass index was before getting pregnant.
"Women with higher pre-pregnancy BMIs (BMI > 27) are at greater risk of higher weight retention at one year postpartum," says a Canadian government health agency.
According to Health Canada, the majority of women studied weighed 1 to 2 kg more than their pre-pregnancy weight one year after the birth of their baby. Another 20 to 30 percent of women weighed 4 to 5 kg more than their pre-pregnancy weight.
Let's face it, reducing your BMI after pregnancy isn't easy...
If you are struggling to reduce your BMI after pregnancy, you are not alone. Try to keep in mind that it took almost a year for your baby to grown and your body to stretch, so be kind to yourself and remember - the weight gain brought you a beautiful bundle of joy. Here are some tips for feeling great after pregnancy:
Breastfeed your baby as long as possible - it's good for the baby and helps you lose weight Eat nutritious foods Make time for exercise Try to rest as much as possible Don't forget to enjoy your beautiful baby!
If your BMI after pregnancy is too high for your liking, try to take solace in the fact that women with healthy or even high pre-pregnancy body mass index tend to have babies with higher birth weights...and this is a good thing.
On the other hand, women with a low pre-pregnancy BMI (< 20) are encouraged to gain more weight during pregnancy because they tend to have lower weight babies. Here's the guideline for Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy Based on Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index:
BMI Chart Ideal Weight Gain
< 20 28 - 40 pounds
20 to 25 25 - 35 pounds
25 to 30 15 - 25 pounds
> 30 (obese) 15 pounds
Please note that this guideline does not apply to multiple birth pregnancies and the BMI chart refers to pre-pregnancy levels only. BMI during pregnancy is not relevant. Always consult your physician.
If you'd like to look at the BMI chart or for more information on your Body Mass Index please visit my site at http://www.mybodymassindex.com.
Feel free to reprint this article on your own site or in your newsletter but please leave the resource box intact with a live link to my site.
About the Author
Katie Vandercastle is a freelance writer working from her home in Denver. She enjoys Skiing, Painting, and spending time with her 2 dogs; alice and chichi.