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Jones Regional Medical Center Urgent Care - Anamosa

1795 Highway 64 East
Anamosa, IA 52205

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Ankeny)

1055 Southwest Oralabor Road
Ankeny, IA 50023

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Bett Plex)

5185 Competition Drive
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Jordan Creek)

180 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Lindale)

153 Collins Road Northeast
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Marshalltown)

1704 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Morton)

1909 North Morton Avenue
Morton, IL 61550

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (North Crossing)

2134 Logan Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50703

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Peck's Landing)

1940 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Hiawatha, IA 52233

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Peoria)

8914 North Knoxville Avenue
Peoria, IL 61615

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (San Marnan)

1655 East San Marnan Drive
Waterloo, IA 50702

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Viking Road)

1000 Brandilynn Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Washington)

209 North Cummings Lane
Washington, IL 61571

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Waukee)

950 E Hickman Rd
Waukee, IA 50263

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Waverly)

101 Cedar River Pkwy 101
Waverly, IA 50677

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UnityPoint Clinic - Express at Duck Creek

1417 Kimberly Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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UnityPoint Clinic Express (Fort Dodge)

2728 2nd Avenue South
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

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UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - Bettendorf

3415 53rd Avenue
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - Moline

106 19th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265

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UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - North Port

3426 North Port Drive
Muscatine, IA 52761

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UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - SouthPark Pointe

3904 16th Street
Moline, IL 61265

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UnityPoint Clinic First Care - Peoria Heights

1120 East War Memorial Drive
Peoria Heights, IL 61616

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Altoona

2720 8th Street Southwest
Altoona, IA 50009

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ankeny Medical Park

3625 North Ankeny Boulevard
Ankeny, IA 50023

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ingersoll

2103 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Marion

2992 7th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Marketplace

3035 Hamilton Boulevard
Sioux City, IA 51104

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Southglen

6520 Southeast 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50320

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Sunnybrook

5885 Sunnybrook Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Urbandale

5200 NW 100th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - West

2255 John F Kennedy Road
Dubuque, IA 52002

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UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Westside

2375 Edgewood Road Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

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Weight Gain During Pregnancy: How Much is Too Much?

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Healthy Pregnancy Weight Gain

Pickles and ice cream? Sure. Cravings are known to hit hard during pregnancy. However, following through with every craving isn’t the best for your health. It’s a common misconception that it’s okay to eat as much as you’d like during pregnancy because you’re eating for two.

Although you’re not the only one eating, you don’t have to consume thousands of extra calories a day for you and your baby to be healthy. That poses the question: during pregnancy, how much weight gain is too much?

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Weight Gain

Weight gain during pregnancy should not be thought of as “one-size-fits-all." The amount of weight you need to gain in order to have a healthy pregnancy depends on factors such as your pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI).

  • Underweight. If you’re underweight when becoming pregnant, healthy pregnancy weight gain is between 28 to 40 pounds. If too little weight is gained, the baby can be born with a low birth weight. 
  • Healthy Weight. If at the time you become pregnant you’re at a healthy BMI, pregnancy weight gain should range between 25 to 35 pounds.
  • Overweight. A woman who is overweight during her pregnancy does not need to gain as much as someone who is at a healthy weight. Healthy pregnancy weight gain for an overweight woman is between 15 to 25 pounds.
  • Obese. In order to keep the baby healthy when the pregnant mother is obese, pregnancy weight gain should not be more than 11 to 20 pounds. 

Expecting Multiples

If you have more than one bun in the oven, it’s likely that you will need to gain more weight than you would if you were pregnant with only one baby. If you were at healthy weight before becoming pregnant with multiples, 37 to 54 pounds is a healthy amount of weight to gain. Are you overweight while expecting more than one baby? You only need to gain between 25 to 42 pounds.

When It’s Healthy to Put on the Pounds

The first trimester doesn’t require much weight gain, but weight gain should be steady throughout the second and third trimester. So what is healthy weight gain? It’s only about 3 to 4 pounds a month until the baby is born. This is easily done by only eating an extra 300 calories a day.

Healthy Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is very important since the food you eat is your baby’s main source of nutrition. Depending on a woman’s weight, level of daily activity and age, nutritional needs differ.

  • Whole grains. Eating grains can provide a pregnant woman with energy, and fortified grains can help a woman get the folic acids she needs. Make sure that at least half of your daily grains are whole grains. 
  • Fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables make up an important component of a pregnant woman’s diet. The vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables help absorb nutrients and aid in digestion. 
  • Meat. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and beans come packed with plenty of protein. A pregnant woman needs to make sure they are eating protein to help with the baby’s growth. 
  • Dairy. Calcium found in dairy helps develop a baby’s bones and teeth. 

When Too Much Weight is Gained

When too much weight is gained during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of health problems for both you and your baby. The baby could be born with a large birth weight or be premature. Not only is excessive weight gain unhealthy during pregnancy, but it can make the pregnancy more difficult. The extra weight puts strain on the body, making it harder for blood to move around, leading to cramps, exhaustion and body aches.

Excessive weight gain can also lead to an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. Both the mother and the baby are affected by this disease. A mother who is overweight is likely to give birth to an overweight baby who could have a greater risk of developing childhood obesity.

Pregnancy Exercises

In order to keep your pregnancy weight in check, exercising can help you maintain a healthy weight. Staying physically active during pregnancy can make you feel better, prepare your body for birth and help you get back into pre-pregnancy shape much quicker.

If you exercised before pregnancy, continue your normal routine and add modifications if necessary. If you didn’t actively exercise pre-pregnancy, that doesn’t mean you should give up! Much like any normal exercise routine, begin slowly and change your routine as you become stronger. Exercises that a pregnant woman can do include:

  • Swimming
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Walking
  • Water aerobics

Have a Healthy Pregnancy

Staying healthy during pregnancy is a goal you can keep within reach with the help of experts at UnityPoint Clinic. Our skilled providers will work with you to develop a care plan for a healthy pregnancy. Are you concerned that your weight could be a problem during your pregnancy? Make an appointment today to talk to a provider at UnityPoint Clinic.