A woman who is 5'3” and weighed 115 lbs pre-pregnancy should ideally gain how much weight by the end of her pregnancy?

To determine the ideal weight gain for a woman who is 5'3” and weighed 115 lbs pre-pregnancy, it is essential to consider the recommended weight gain guidelines based on pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI).

For a woman with a pre-pregnancy weight of 115 lbs and a height of 5’3”, the BMI places her in the "normal weight" category. According to the Institute of Medicine recommendations, women in this category are advised to gain between 25 to 35 lbs during pregnancy.

Starting from her pre-pregnancy weight of 115 lbs, an ideal weight gain of approximately 25 to 35 lbs leads us to the range of 140 to 150 lbs by the end of pregnancy. Therefore, the appropriate answer that falls within this recommended range is 140 lbs, representing a weight gain of 25 lbs from her initial weight of 115 lbs.

This guideline helps in supporting a healthy pregnancy and ensuring the wellbeing of both the mother and the developing fetus. It is important for healthcare providers to tailor these recommendations to individual needs considering factors such as overall health, multiple pregnancies, and other personal circumstances.