She is probably the the most anticipated baby of 2012, I would like to congratulate Jessica Simpson on the birth of her first baby Maxwell Drew Johnson.

ET interviewed me last month to talk about the proper weight for pregnant moms. It’s important to know mom’s can be both too heavy and too thin and I share some helpful tips here on my blog.f

The first thing to keep in mind is that weight gain is an expected part of any pregnancy. Your baby’s growth and development depend on it. The big question is:

How much is too much? It’s a simple rule of thumb that a woman’s pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI) determines the amount of weight she is expected to gain.And it is important to know, there are recommended medical guidelines for weight gain in pregnancy. These are the guidelines issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) women who are thin or underweight should gain between 28 to 40 pounds.

A woman of normal, healthy weight before pregnancy should gain 25 to 35 pounds.

Overweight women should gain 15 to 25 pounds.

Obese women should gain 11-20 pounds.

And please take note that a woman carrying twins will likely need to gain more weight, around 35 to 45 pounds during pregnancy.

You may have a rough idea where you fit into this spectrum, but the best way to determine if you are too thin or too heavy is by computing your Body Mass Index which measures body fat based on height and weight.

Where do you fit on Body Mass Index?

Thin to Underweight (BMI < 18.5)

Normal Healthy Weight (BMI 18.5-24.9)

Overweight Women (BMI 25.0-29.9)

Obese Women (BMI > 30.0)

Given Jessica Simpson’s small frame, it appears to me that her weight gain is excessive, and I think, a big reason her pregnancy is making so much news, is that there are a lot of expecting moms in New York and around the nation who are just like her. A recent (2009) study from Cornell University found as many as two-thirds of women of childbearing age are overweight, and almost half are obese.

It is reported that in January 2012, Simpson revealed to Extra’s Mario Lopez that she was giving in to all kinds of less-than-healthy pregnancy cravings, including buttered Pop Tarts, Mac n’ Cheese, and Cap’n Crunch. “Everything’s filled with sugar,” she dished.

Nutritional choices are often to blame for pregnancy weight gain above ACOG’s recommended 25-35 lbs weight gain for a normal weight woman. It is easy to put on unwanted weight if you eat foods that are higher in sugar and unhealthy fats. And while it is true that you need extra calories from nutrient –rich foods so that your baby grows at a healthy rate and you support your baby’s health, “eating for two” is not a license to eat twice as many calories.

Gaining too much weight during pregnancy puts you at tremendous risk for pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes…. hypertension…..pre-eclampsia or toxemia of pregnancy (which manifests as high blood pressure, water retention, and protein in the urine) and can also increase your baby’s risk of health problems at birth and childhood obesity. Birth weight may also be related to the amount of weight a mother gains during pregnancy. Excessive weight gain can translate to increased fetal weight, increased risks during labor and delivery and possibly subsequent maternal obesity.

You need to work with your doctor to determine what’s right for you and to manage your weight throughout pregnancy.

Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy, by eating a healthy balanced diet, is a reassuring sign that you are meeting the needs of your growing baby and helps to ensure the healthy growth and physical development of your baby.

Women who gain the recommended number of pounds decrease the health risks to themselves and their baby.

Personally, I would just like to add, this is Jessica Simpson’s first baby. Pregnancy is a very special time in a woman’s life. Being pregnant can be one of the most momentous and magical adventures that a woman can ever experience. I think she should be allowed the room to be excited about it as every first time mom should be and everyone should wish her and her pregnancy the very best!