17 answers

I'm Gaining Too Much Weight During My Pregnancy! Help!

So, my midwife tells me that I'm fine, but I should be very careful about my food intake since I've already gained 25 pounds during this pregnancy (my second one). I, however, and more concerned. She has even told me that it would be perfectly acceptable for me to lose some pounds from here on out. I've slacked on going to the gym as I should have, and I've used the "eating for two" excuse a time or two, but I certainly don't understand why I've gained SO MUCH weight!

I am already a "solid girl", as my family practitioner always said. He was the first one to say, "K., you're not fat. You could probably leg press me." And as such, the ultimate number on the scale doesn't upset me. I know I'm healthy. However, it's the difference in where I was when that second pink line showed up, and where I am now (20 weeks in!) that concerns me. Though my midwife doesn't seem overly concerned, and I've picked my low-impact gym routine up to four days a weeks, (from a sporadic one day a week) I am looking for supplement suggestions, teas... anything.

Help?

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I gained 65 pounds with my first and only child. I was almost 210 lbs when I gave birth. My OB/GYN put me on bed rest for a few weeks hoping that would slow down the weight gain. He got concerned when I gained 25 lbs in one week. Miraculously I didn't swell anywhere except the belly. They thought my daughter was going to weigh 2 pounds more than she did. I managed to lose most of it in the first year by breastfeeding, walking and eating a lot of cereal. Those milk ads really are true. Don't worry about a thing. As long as you're healthy and the baby's healthy everything will be fine.

My name is C., i just had my baby in january. If this makes you feel any better... I gained about 80 lbs through out my whole pregnancy. I would advise you to begin working out, since I now have a VERY bad back from all the weight gain. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE STRECH MARKS. So if I were you I would start now before it gets worse!

-C.

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If it makes you feel any better I gained 60 and the 40 pounds with my pregnancies and didn't have gestational diabetes with either one. My boys were both large babies and I also tend to have exess fluids. I wouldn't concentrate so much on your weight but more on your health and the baby's health. If those two things are a ok then I wouldn't pay so much attention to your actual weight.

1 mom found this helpful

Oh, K.! Do NOT listen to your midwife. I can't believe she said you could lose a few pounds from here on out. That is outrageous! No woman should ever try to lose weight while pregnant! You would be taking essential fats, calories and nutrients away from your baby. Every book and every doctor worth a darn will tell you the same thing. Please don't try to diet while pregnant. The wieght will come off after you deliver - especially if you breastfeed. I gained over 60 lbs with my pregnancy - most of it within the first 2 trimesters. I lost it all and then some within 10 months after I gave birth. If I can do it, anyone can. I did it healthily, though. Breastfeeding, a tiny bit of excercise, and following the weightwatchers online program is what did it for me. Don't get down on yourself for gaining some wieght. You are pregnant and beautiful!

1 mom found this helpful

Have you ever thought about meal tracking? I know it is a lot of work, but in order to see why you are gain more weight than you should you need to see how many calories you are taking in. 3500 kcal=1lb of fat. My suggestion would be to meal track for a week to get an idea of you caloric intake on average. If you are over where you should be, make adjustments in your diet. It sounds like you are doing what you should with regards to your exercise routine. I hope this helps. In the end you are trying to avoid gestational diabetes so make sure you are getting enough calories, but not too much. Good luck!

The only thing I'd add to lots of good advice, is check with your doctor, but I'd be very careful about cutting out fats too much. Babies need fat for nervous system development, and the fetus does as well. And there are lots of fat soluble vitamins. So, good fats are a necessity when pregnant.

I gained 65 pounds with my first and only child. I was almost 210 lbs when I gave birth. My OB/GYN put me on bed rest for a few weeks hoping that would slow down the weight gain. He got concerned when I gained 25 lbs in one week. Miraculously I didn't swell anywhere except the belly. They thought my daughter was going to weigh 2 pounds more than she did. I managed to lose most of it in the first year by breastfeeding, walking and eating a lot of cereal. Those milk ads really are true. Don't worry about a thing. As long as you're healthy and the baby's healthy everything will be fine.

As far as I've heard, the only time you should try to lose weight during a pregnancy is if your are seriously overweight (and it sounds like you're not). Also, I would advise against supplements, teas, etc - there are usually no studies on how that would affect a fetus. I myself gained about 35 pounds during my first and only pregnancy. My sisters-in-law, both skinny rails who lose weight easily (and keep it off as easily) gained 50 pounds during each of their pregnancies (3 between the 2 of them). If you are concerned about your weight, and of course you don't want to gain too much, then watch your eating habits better. It sounds like you are exercising enough but maybe you could add a good walk in almost every day. The "eating for two" excuse doesn't fly anymore these days as it is totally unecessary to eat more than usual just because you are pregnant. If you haven't already: switch to whole grains, eat more fruit and veggies instead of pre-made grocery snacks, drink nonfat milk, have lowfat/nonfat yogurt, low fat cheeses, severly limit intake of sweets to a small serving once a week or less, don't drink juices (they have so much sugar), sweeten with Splenda (or something similar), eat less red meat, more poultry and fish, and no meat meals too, and so on. I have no idea how you are eating now, but I'm sure you can find ways to change your diet, we all can. I think there's always something we can change if we aren't getting the results we want. I hope that I was able to be of some help to you. Good luck. Oh and of course drink your water - I know it sucks cause then you have to pee more but drinking water can curb your appetite. Try drinking some water before meals, it'll fill your tummy up some so you won't be tempted to over eat.

Hiya K., I know how you feel, I recently had my daughter Feb. 18th and when I was in my 5th month of pregnancy I lost 20lbs. I got pretty sick during this time and couldnt hold anything down. I remember the doctor saying she wasnt concerned since I am bigger to begin with. I told myself I wasnt going to gain a lot of weight in this pregnancy like I did with my other 2. I wouldnt suggest losing weight while pregnant, but I know you go the rest of your pregnancy without gaining more weight. I gained a total of 9lbs during my whole pregnancy. Kinda confusing since my daughter was 9lbs 8oz lol. But the doctor explained to me that since we have fat stored our babies can survive off our fatty storage. Just watch your intake on sugar and definately salt cause you dont want to swell. I guess I was lucky cause I do not like sweets, I hate chocolate and ice cream so I didnt have to worry about that. My problems was with the satly foods. Well good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

I wouldnt suggest dieting while you are expecting. I dont think it would be healthy to lose weight right now. The best thing you could do for yourself is to watch what you eat. Try to eat foods low in fat and healthy. Its best to leave the junk food and high in fat and calorie stuff alone. Instead of pizza or burgers and things of that nature, try a chef salad, or a garden burger. Also walking is the best exercise while you are pregnant. It also releives stress and would be good quality time to spend with your daughter. Remeber you can also lose the weight after the baby comes. Right now you have to nurture your body for the babys benefit.

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