O26: Maternal care for other conditions predominantly related to pregnancy

O26.1: Low weight gain in pregnancy

It is normal for women to gain weight in pregnancy. This is mainly because the child, the uterus and the placenta get bigger and heavier. An increased amount of fluid also builds up in the body during pregnancy and you have more blood than normal.

The uterus or womb sits in the pelvis and is pear-shaped. The narrower part extends downward into the vagina and is called the cervix. When a woman is pregnant, the child grows in her uterus. The placenta forms in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. The placenta consists of cells from the mother and cells from the unborn child. The placenta supplies the unborn child with nutrients and oxygen via the umbilical cord.