Did your pregnancy ultrasound just reveal your baby’s weight is low? Low fetal weight is a cause for concern as it can impact the baby’s growth and development. you may think you are eating well and following a nutritious diet, but if the scans show a low fetal weight, your doctor might want you to increase fetal weight. Increasing fetal weight during pregnancy is possible. Taking care of your baby does not have to wait till he or she is born. It should ideally start while the baby is still in your womb.
A mother’s health, diet, and habits directly impact the growth of the fetus and for this reason, the mother-to-be must follow a healthy lifestyle. So, how can you increase your fetal weight during pregnancy without gaining too much weight yourself? A healthy diet, regular exercise, and lifestyle strategies suiting your personal and medical needs are the key to ensuring that the mother produces healthy offspring.
How is Fetal Weight Measured?
During an ultrasound scan, your radiologist will make a few measurements of the fetus. They are:
- Biparietal diameter (BPD)
- Femur length (FL)
- Head circumference (HC)
- Occipitofrontal diameter (OFD)
- Abdominal circumference (AC)
- Humerus length (HL)
Once these numbers are noted, a very complex formula is used to determine the fetal weight and gestational age. It is important to understand that the formula is not accurate and the actual weight could be in the range of +/-10% of the calculated figure. Generally, fetal weight or growth that is less than the 10th percentile is referred to as Small for Gestational Age or SGA or has Fetal Growth restriction or FGR.
Although some fetuses are constitutionally small, they are healthy. The fetus with a growth rate of 10 percentile also doesn’t mean that it is always healthy and is not growth-restricted (1). For fetal weight specifically, the two most important parameters are BPD (diameter across the baby’s skull) and AC.
[Read : How To Calculate Pregnancy Weeks And Months?]
What is an Ideal Fetal Weight?
Please bear in mind that the “ideal” fetal weight is only an average as in the initial stages babies tend to grow at varying rates.
| Pregnancy Week Average Fetal Weight (gm) | |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy Week | Weight in Gms |
| 8 | 1 |
| 9 | 2 |
| 10 | 4 |
| 11 | 7 |
| 12 | 14 |
| 13 | 23 |
| 14 | 43 |
| 15 | 70 |
| 16 | 100 |
| 17 | 140 |
| 18 | 190 |
| 19 | 240 |
| 20 | 300 |
| 21 | 360 |
| 22 | 430 |
| 23 | 501 |
| 24 | 600 |
| 25 | 660 |
| 26 | 760 |
| 27 | 875 |
| 28 | 1005 |
| 29 | 1153 |
| 30 | 1319 |
| 31 | 1502 |
| 32 | 1702 |
| 33 | 1918 |
| 34 | 2146 |
| 35 | 2383 |
| 36 | 2622 |
| 37 | 2859 |
| 38 | 3083 |
| 39 | 3288 |
| 40 | 3462 |
| 41 | 3597 |
| 42 | 3685 |
As you can see from the chart, from around the third trimester, the fetus starts growing significantly. From week 35, on average, the fetus gains 230 grams every week.
[Read : Healthy Diet During Pregnancy]
Importance of Fetal Weight During Pregnancy
A pregnancy ultrasound will help determine fetal weight. The baby’s head circumference, abdominal circumference, and the baby’s length measurements help estimate the weight. So, the fetal weight will help us know if the baby is growing as per expectation and if all the important parameters are up to the mark.
Fetal weight also helps identify potential health issues in the baby. When the fetal weight does not meet the requirement, it is the first clue that something is not right or the baby needs more attention (2). It helps in guiding prenatal care so that both mother and baby are healthy and developing within the parameters.
Though the scans can’t reveal the exact fetal weight, it will be an estimation of the various parameters the ultrasound will check. If fetal weight does not match the gestational age weight requirement, it could mean the baby is not developing as required.
Low fetal weight will lead to low birth weight, which in turn can lead to many health issues in the baby. The health issues may surface soon after birth or as the baby grows. It can lead to developmental delays or even affect the baby’s growth.
Factors Affecting Fetal Weight During Pregnancy
Fetal weight during pregnancy does not depend just on the foods the mother eats. The various factors that affect fetal weight during pregnancy are:
- Genetic factors
- Insufficient or inconsistent intake of food
- Nausea or morning sickness
- Various medical conditions
- Metabolic issues
- Stress
- Exercising too much
- Not following a routine or schedule
- Not following a balanced diet
- Defects in the fetus
- Maternal obesity – prevents mother from eating much, to avoid further weight gain.
Risks Of Reduced Fetal Weight During Pregnancy
When a fetal weight does not match the weight requirement for that particular gestation age, it can lead to many issues such as.
1. Low Birth Weight
It can lead to various issues including SIDS, low oxygen levels at birth, trouble staying warm, digestive issues, nervous issues as well as long-term issues like cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness.
2. Intrauterine Growth Retardation
IUGR is a result of very low fetal weight. if the fetal weight is less than the 10th percentile of the gestational age, it can lead to IUGR, which elevates neonatal morbidity and mortality. (2a)
3. Barker Hypothesis
According to this hypothesis, low fetal weight and low birth weight may lead to health issues like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Undernutrition during the gestation period can decrease the child’s immunity and the body’s ability to cope with health issues that may occur when the child grows up (3).
Foods That Help In Increasing Fetal Weight During The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy
If you are in your third trimester and the ultrasound reveals your baby’s weight is below expectation, it is time to eat the right foods and focus on increasing the fetal weight. This is a crucial time for the baby’s growth and development.
Here are some foods you can eat to increase fetal weight during the third trimester
1. Milk
Milk is one of the most easily available sources of multiple nutrients for pregnancy. Most doctors recommend a pregnant woman increase her milk consumption, to supply all the nutrients to the baby. Milk consumption during pregnancy also increases the baby’s birth weight. (4) You can consume –
- Milk (pasteurized and not raw)
- Curd
- Cheese (not raw or blue cheese)
2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are very important for developing the fetal brain and retina (5). Studies show regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy can prevent low birth weight and help fetal development. These babies also have a higher birth weight than those whose mothers did not consume sufficient omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. (5a) You can get your omega-3 fatty acids from –
- Seafood (avoid fish high in mercury)
- Fish oil capsules
3. Protein
An increase in maternal consumption of protein-rich foods during pregnancy can help improve fetal growth. Studies show an improvement in fetal head circumference, femur length as well as fetal weight. (6) Protein is present –
- Milk
- Pulses
- Eggs
- Lean meat
- Poultry
- Seafood
4. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of continuous energy for pregnant women. Increasing the consumption of foods rich in carbohydrates but low in glycemic index can help increase fetal weight without increasing maternal glucose levels (7). It is important to note that increasing consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods with a high glycemic index can increase maternal weight gain too. It can also increase the risk of gestational diabetes which can affect fetal health rather than improve it. Some carbohydrate sources with low GI are
- Fruits and vegetables
- Banana
- Sweet potato
- Chickpeas, beans and pulses
- Wholegrains
- Rolled oats porridge
Pregnancy may increase food sensitivities in many women. While some foods can help improve fetal weight, pregnant women should avoid consuming foods that can trigger allergies. If they are lactose intolerant or have reactions to meat, increasing their intake without consulting the doctor is not advisable.
Consult your OB/GYN and a dietician to identify the best foods that can help increase your baby’s weight without affecting your health or triggering any allergies. Sometimes it could be just an aversion to the smell or taste. Adding a few other ingredients or preparing the dishes differently can resolve this issue. A dietician can guide you.
Fetal weight during pregnancy is an important parameter that can tell us about the baby’s growth and development. Low birth weight can lead to many health issues and developmental delays as the child grows. With a little extra effort and proper guidance, you can eat the right foods to help increase fetal weight during pregnancy.
8 Tips to Increase Fetal Weight During Pregnancy
The following tips will ensure both you and the fetus healthily gain weight:
- Eat a balanced and nutrition-rich diet. Keep your diet as natural as possible with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also include whole grains, proteins, and complex carbohydrates in your meals.
- Take your prenatal vitamins regularly. It compensates for any gaps in your nutrition intake and acts as a healthy supplement for your and your baby’s health.
- Include dry fruits and nuts in your diet, as they have healthy fats.
- Ensure you get enough rest during the day and night. Resting will give your body a chance to refresh itself. Over-exerting yourself puts pressure on both you and the fetus. So try to catch a daytime nap and ensure you get at least 8 hours of sleep in the night.
- Stay relaxed and positive at all times. When you are over-anxious, you tend to undereat (thereby not giving your body and the fetus enough nutrients) or overeat (mostly wrong and unhealthy food choices).
- Keep yourself always hydrated with plain drinking water. Dehydration during pregnancy can cause many complications like headaches, acidity, indigestion, heartburn, etc.
- If you are worried about your baby’s weight, talk to your gynecologist and understand how often you want to keep track of it. Usually, doctors do not recommend ultrasound scans unless necessary.
- Discuss with your doctor if you need to take any extra supplements to increase your fetal weight.
Precautions to Take When Trying to Increase Fetal Weight
While you try to follow the above tips to ensure your baby is healthily gaining weight, it is important to keep a check on the following two items:
Foods to Avoid
| Food Type | Examples | Reason to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Processed Foods | Packaged snacks, Sodas | High in sugar and unhealthy fats |
| Raw Seafood | Sushi, Oysters | Risk of bacterial infections |
| Unpasteurized Dairy | Soft cheeses, Raw milk | Risk of listeria |
| Caffeine | Coffee, Energy drinks | Can lead to low birth weight |
| Alcohol | Wine, Beer | Causes developmental issues |
Avoid fatty foods such as fried items and very oily food; the idea is not to increase your weight in haste. By consuming a fatty diet, you put yourself and your pregnancy at risk, as it can lead to cholesterol and hypertension. To be beneficial for your baby, you need to increase your weight regularly.
Harmful Substances to Avoid During Pregnancy
Avoid smoking, drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. These substances can have detrimental effects on both your health and the health of your fetus. It is important to eliminate or minimize their consumption during pregnancy to ensure a healthy development for your baby.
However, the point here is that it is the mother’s weight that determines the fetal weight. If the mother does not gain enough weight, the fetus will, accordingly, be small. So following the tips mentioned will surely help increase the fetal weight during pregnancy.
**Please note that these weights are just an estimation; do seek your doctor’s advice.**
FAQ’s
1. What Should I Eat to Increase My Baby’s Weight?
Consuming more lentils and protein-rich foods will help increase fetal weight and ensure their growth is on track. Avocados are rich in many nutrients and can help with weight gain too.
Balanced Diet for Increasing Fetal Weight
| Food Group | Examples | Nutritional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Proteins | Eggs, Chicken, Beans | Essential for fetal growth and development |
| Carbohydrates | Whole grains, Fruits | Provides energy |
| Fats | Avocados, Nuts, Olive oil | Supports brain development |
| Vitamins | Leafy greens, Citrus | Boosts immunity and overall health |
| Minerals | Dairy, Leafy greens | Important for bone and blood health |
2. Does Low Fetal Weight Mean IUGR?
Low fetal weight can lead to Intra Uterine Growth Restriction. Various other parameters also contribute to IUGR. IUGR is one of the side effects of low fetal weight. (8)
3. Can a High-Protein Diet Increase Fetal Weight?
A high-protein diet can ensure the baby’s growth is on track despite the low fetal weight. It can help increase fetal weight but not as much as lentils.
References
- Defining Normal and Abnormal Fetal Growth: Promises and Challenges – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2878887/]
- Fetus Weight – [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/fetus-weight]
- Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Antenatal and Postnatal Aspects – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4946587/]
- Milk consumption during pregnancy increases birth weight, a risk factor for the development of diseases of civilization – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302093/]
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3046737/]
- Milk and Protein Intake by Pregnant Women Affects Growth of Foetus – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905637/]
- Maternal carbohydrate intake and pregnancy outcome – [https://web.archive.org/web/20200710201531id_/https:/www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0029665102000095]
- Low Birth Weight due to Intrauterine Growth Restriction and/or Preterm Birth: Effects on Nephron Number and Long-Term Renal Health – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3434386/]
