Will I harm my baby if I have lost 23 pounds since becoming pregnant?

I have lost 23 pounds since becoming pregnant four months ago. I was a little over weight, have had some nausea and morning sickness, and have changed my diet in a lot of ways for the pregnancy. Will this harm the baby if I don't gain back the 25 to 30 pounds they say you should gain for a healthy baby?

No, you will not harm your baby if you don't gain back the weight you've lost. Although doctors and midwives generally recommend that a woman gain 25 to 35 pounds during the nine months of pregnancy (which includes the weight of the baby, placenta, amniotic fluid and maternal bodily changes that support the pregnancy), weight gain or loss alone is not an indicator of the mother's nutritional status. The amount of weight a woman should gain depends on her pre-pregnancy weight and health status. If you were overweight prior to your pregnancy, I would not be concerned about the weight loss. It is more important that you eat a diet high in the nutrients needed for the growth and development of your baby. You should increase your calorie intake by about 300 calories per day. To ensure that you are obtaining the protein, vitamins and minerals your baby needs, your daily diet should include the following: 6 to 11 servings of bread, cereal, rice or pasta; three to five servings of vegetables; two to four servings of fruit; two to three servings of dairy products; and two to three servings of meat, poultry, fish or beans.