Congratulations on your pregnancy and on your weight loss. Weight gain during the early part of pregnancy is usually minimal, and weight loss often occurs, not only from conscious attempts to eat healthier, but because morning sickness often prohibits eating. You may continue to lose weight for a while, but most likely it will stabilize and then you should start to gain weight.

Generally for an overweight mom, it is not a good idea to try to lose weight at the beginning of a pregnancy, when the risk to the fetus of nutritional deprivation is greater than risks related to the mother's weight. However, if you are on a well-balanced, healthful diet that is merely eliminating what you were overeating before, this should provide adequate nutritional intake for the fetus. Just be careful not to cut back on your eating to the extent that you do not get all the nutrition that is so critical for your developing baby.

Over the course of a pregnancy, lean women should gain 28 to 40 pounds; women of normal weight, 25 to 35 pounds; and overweight women, 15 to 25 pounds.

The most important periods of weight gain are in the second and third trimester, and most especially the third. During this time, you should strive to gain about a half pound per week. Lean women should try to gain five pounds per month. The third trimester, in particular, is not a time to limit food intake. Women who restrict calorie intake during the third trimester may jeopardize the physical and mental health of their babies.

Be sure to see your obstetrician for a prescription for a prenatal multiple vitamin and mineral supplement that contains 100 to 200 percent of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).

Continue to exercise, as it will make you feel great and should help you have an easier pregnancy and delivery. Be sure to adjust your routine and intensity as your pregnancy progresses, and plan time for plenty of rest. Best of luck for a happy and healthy pregnancy.