Why do women use pregnancy as an excuse to gain fat?

What dummy came up with that phrase? I mean, if you really think about it, you are NOT eating for 2, as the baby really does not need that many calories, esp. in the first few months, when the fetus is less that 6 ounces at most. I mean, really, why is it that women use pergnancy as an excuse to gain a whole bunch of fat? I have been pregnant before, and I only gained five pounds of water the whole time. I had actually LOST 30lbs during those 9 months.
There is no reason that a woman should gain fat while she is pregnant.

Dear selenamama,
It is important that woman gain enough weight. It is very important that your baby get proper nutrition from the foods you eat.
Recommendations for healthy weight gain during pregnancy are based on your weight before you became pregnant. Women who are at “normal” weight when they become pregnant are advised to gain 25 – 35 pounds during their pregnancies. Likewise, experts advise women who are “underweight” when they become pregnant to gain 28–40 pounds during their pregnancies.
Healthy eating and healthy weight gain result in many positive pregnancy benefits. Gaining a healthy amount of weight:
Counteracts your baby’s susceptibility to infection and birth defects caused by low birth weight
Decreases your risk for complications such as anaemia and pre-eclampsia
Reduces the risk of pre-term labour and delivery
Helps to ensure a healthy birth weight for your baby, which decreases his risk of delayed development, disease, and mortality during the first few months of life.
During the first trimester, it is normal to gain anywhere from zero to six pounds.
Remember, your body uses food for energy. If you have a history of food restriction or crazy dieting, you may have altered both your metabolism and the way your body uses food when you begin eating normally (such as during pregnancy). As long as you are meeting your nutrient needs and getting exercise as advised by your physician, your weight gain should taper during the second trimester.
Generally, normal weight and underweight woman gain between one and one-and-a-half pounds per week, throughout the second and third trimesters.
Sue...good luck

You are BOTH wrong... the most an average woman will be encouraged to gain is 15lbs, which will be the baby, the plecenta, and water. Its NOT 30-40lbs, which is why most women end up getting fat after being pregnant.

Well aint you lucky to have gained only five pounds!!! With some people its not an excuse to be fat!!! perhaps they are just enjoying being pregnant instead of worrying about their weight the whole time!!! If they lose the weight after whats the big DEAL, dont judge everyone like you some people are prone to putting weight on when pregnant!!!

why is it even an issue. different doctors will say different things, everyone knows that. if you didn't gain a lot of weight, good for you. if you did gain a lot of weight, good for you. I dont think it's a big deal. some girls use it as an excuse to gain fat, some girls just want to make sure their baby is healthy. it's called sacrifice.

everyones different but most of the time its 30 to 40 pounds

I've never heard anyone use that as an excuse.
Any pregnant person I've ever known have complained about gaining weight during pregnancy. Its called keeping the baby healthy.