Fluid Intake
Drink at least six to eight glasses of water, milk, or fruit juice each day. Limit your caffeine intake. If you cannot drink milk because of lactose intolerance, ask the doctor to recommend alternative sources of calcium.

Snacks
Limit fatty foods, sweets, and highly processed food items such as:

• Doughnuts and pastries
• Sodas and fruit drinks with added sugar
• Chips containing large quantities of fat and salt

Vitamins and Minerals
During pregnancy you may require additional vitamins and minerals that are not adequately provided by your diet. Check with your doctor to determine whether and when you need dietary supplements such as prenatal vitamins. Some doctors limit iron intake during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Some supplements are known to be beneficial during pregnancy: folic acid, and iron along with vitamin C that helps your body use iron.

Maternal Weight Gain
Many factors impact the amount of weight gain during pregnancy. These factors include, but are not limited to, the mother's pre-pregnancy weight for her height, the number of babies she is carrying, and her overall dietary habits.

What is Average?
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy. Your doctor will tell you what is appropriate for you.

• The average weight gain, under normal conditions, is between 25 and 35 lbs.
• If you are underweight when you become pregnant, you may gain up to 40 lbs.
• If you begin your pregnancy in a state of obesity, you may need to gain no more than 15 lbs.

At each visit, your doctor will monitor the amount of weight gain during pregnancy. There should be no major fluctuations in weight. Large fluctuations could signal a medical concern. So, keep all your appointments.