Pregnancy Weight???? - Elk River,MN

Updated on December 01, 2011
K.L. asks from Elk River, MN
15 answers

I recently went to the doctor's office to have my annual pregnancy check-up. I am pregnant with our fourth child due in the middle of March (so that puts me at 25weeks). I saw a nurse practitioner instead of my regular doctor and she (the nurse practitioner) kept going on about how much weight I've gained since my last visit.....6 weeks ago. So far since my pregnancy has started I have gained a total of 10 lbs. I don't think it is that bad and she said that I can only gain a total of 14 lbs total in my entire pregnancy and I had better watch what I eat. Thanksgiving was just here, Christmas is right around the corner and she said that no pies, no cookies, no breads, potatoes, etc....just healthy food. In my first pregnancy I admit I gained too much (almost 50 lbs) and had high blood pressure due to gaining so much weight. Second pregnancy about 25-30 lbs and my blood pressure remained in the normal range the entire time and the same for my third pregnancy. I never did completely loose the weight from my pregnancies. I've remained in the overweight category....but I have normal blood pressure now. My heart is good, and everything else is all good/normal. The reason why I saw her is because I also don't like my OBGYN because he makes rude comments too. I feel at my wits end, because there is only one OBGYN (I can't choose a different doctor at my clinic) and the nurse practitioner is rude too. What are some of your thought/suggestions about this. Thanks for listening/helping.

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A.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

My doctor just told me that the more I gain, the more I have to lose after the pregnancy. As long as you are staying healthy, I'd say not to take that advice too seriously.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Unless you are dealing with a medical issue that is complicating your pregnancy I wouldn't worry about it. I gained 52 lbs with my first..I have no idea how the hell that happended unless it was because all the gallons of lemonade I drank.......The second and third pregnancies I gained the 25-32 and the doctor nor the nurse practioner lectured me. I had some serious lbs to lose between each child and after. It's obviously just her opinion but chalk it up to she's got your best interest in mind. I know Christmas is coming but do be mindful of what you eat LOL! :) Congrats to you!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.T.

answers from San Francisco on

I know it seems harsh but any pregnancy that gets you over the 200 pound mark, or if you started your pregnancy over 200 pounds, they will try to get you to gain as little weight as possible for SO many factors - you already know the blood pressure issue but then there is gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, stillbirth, c-section, and pre-term birth. They are only trying to protect you and your baby, and this is a season of over-eating/crappy eating. Maybe the nurse has no tact and could have worded the conversation better, but I think it's a good reminder to be very concious of easting and exercise. You can always respond to blatently rude comments with "I know I need to watch it, but could you make me feel any more huge right now, that really helps!"

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R.W.

answers from New York on

I say find a new OBGYN or Midwifery office. Just because you are already 25 wks doesn't mean your stuck with them. You wanna go were you feel comfortable because you still have a ways to go before delivery . Also do you want someone you don't like delivering your baby.

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S.T.

answers from Des Moines on

that sounds ridiculous! I went from 130 lbs to 230 lbs after both my kids! Never had any problems with either pregnancy, and I gained a decent amount with each - definitely more than 14 lbs. Next time you see your actual OB, and not that nurse practitioner, mention to your OB what she said to you. I would continue on like you have in the previous pregnancies. You know what you're doing by now, I would think. If your OB is really getting on your nerves enough, I would look to see if there is another doctor's office nearby. Family Practice doctors are trained as OBs as well. Or look for a midwife. I had midwives (there were 4 of them in my OB office) with both my pregnancies, and only ever had a problem with one of them!

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B.W.

answers from Washington DC on

OMG! I have been there myself but your experience was much nicer. I apparently had a day of RAGING hormones when I went to my OB/GYN's office that day. They have a Midwife who basically does it all but deliveries so I was seeing her that day and I got a lecture because I had gained 6 pounds (keep in mind this midwife is a large lady who could stand to lose a good 50 lbs. herself!) at which point I felt ashamed and belittle in from of my husband. This was an appt. I always looked forward to because I got to hear the heartbeat. She then attempted to take my bp after she had upset me with her ignorant comments and then proceeded to threaten to put me on best rest (mind you, I had only gained about 10-12 pounds and was at the 6 month check up!) after my bp was high. I then proceeded to yell back at her that she causes my bp to go up, not my weight gain! at which point I told her I was done with the appt. and she said "Well, I am not done". I wanted to leave so bad. I sat there in silence and attempted to find the joy in hearing the heartbeat which I didn't. She then put a sticky note in my file that she would no longer see me. I have since been back for my annual checkups and see the main Dr. with no problems. I never suffered any issues from weight or high bp my entire pregnancy, nor did I ever have any more episodes of high bp for any other apt. I went to.
My advice, give your child the best start by eating healthy and exercising. If you have some holiday treats, be smart about it but enjoy this pregnancy. NEVER let anyone steal your joy but make sure you are being responsible and doing your part. It is much easier to brush it all off then! Big Hugs K.!

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J.M.

answers from Sheboygan on

You could tell her exactly what I told my doctor and nurse - as long as my child is healthy, and I'm not experiencing any adverse issues from the weight gain during pregnancy, there's no reason to worry about a 10lb weight gain in 25 weeks. Frankly, I think you're doing pretty well. I was overweight when I became pregnant with my twins, and only gained about 30lbs. (they were born at 32w - I'm sure I would have gained much more if they had cooked a little longer!), and lost all plus some after they were born. I was still overweight when I became pregnant with my youngest son, and I gained about 30lbs. also. My nurse only said something to me one time, and I told her exactly what I said at the beginning of the post. I can understand concern about weight gain due to high blood pressure, diabetes, or other potential problems caused by it, but if you aren't having any issues, they shouldn't be harping on you about your weight gain.
I am sorry to hear that your NP & OBGYN are both rude. If it happens again, I would speak to a supervisor regarding their treatment of patients.
Good luck to you, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I can't imagine any doctor telling you that you can't gain more than 14 lbs with a pregnancy. Unless you are morbidly obese...that's about the only time that I've seen a weight reccomendation be in the 15-25 lb range. NOT 14. I don't think you can maintain a healthy pregnancy with that little gain.

That just seems ridiculous to me.

Honestly, I would ignore this. This is your 4th time around. You know how to do things in a healthy way. And at 25 weeks, only up 10lbs? You're doing great!

Don't stress over this. And if they continue to give you a hard time about weight, I'd make them specifically explain to you how they've arrived at their numbers, and why. Unless there is a sound medical reason for being so conservative and specific, they're just being petty and mean. If you can't change who you see, you can at least force them to address their rudeness.

I'm sorry you're dealing with these people!

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S.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

It sounds like she was being rather rude and I also don't know how overweight you are, so her recommendation maybe correct. Regardless of how much weight you are supposed to gain it's a really good idea to skip the pie and cookies, although I eat potatoes and whole grain bread and I don't see why that would be an issue. Eating a high fat diet during pregnancy sets your baby up for long term weight and metabolic issues. It seems crazy that you can program that into your child just based on what you are eating, but it's true. I feel for you because I'm 21 weeks pregnant myself and it's hard to turn away those things especially when everyone is saying, oh don't worry about it you're eating for two. I look at it as a sacrifice I'm willing to make for my daughter, unrelated to how much weight I'm going to have to loose after she's born.

It does sound like your practitioner does not have the best bedside manner. She should have explained to you why it's important instead of being so rude. If you can't switch doctors then you might want to have a conversation with her about how to talk to you in the future.

Best of luck!

☆.H.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm convinced that saying you have gained too much weight is standard practice. Much like the dentist always lectures you about flossing even if you do it religiously! Must be something they learn in Medical school. Heck, even my DH even got a lecture about his weight at one of my appointments!

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K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

10 pounds are you kidding me?..i went from 105 to 370 with both my babies-drs.never said a word.
first of all i would give them a peice of my mind-then id go search for a different clinic.a reg md. could do just fine.i would not tolerate this rudeness from anyone let alone a dr.move on leave them behind-enjoy the holidaze-but dont over do it-everything in moderation...listen to your body..good luck

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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

K.,

I am so sorry!!! I would fire the np, doctor and whole practice. You are doing just fine for where you are in your pregnancy!!! You want a healthy baby and just because you started out a little ahead, doesn't mean you aren't supposed to gain any weight. I would fire your doctors and go to a more woman friendly, supportive group who won't treat you disrespectfully. Hang in there and good luck in finding a new doctor~ There are plenty out there--

M

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I believe in doing everything you can to eat right and exercise during pregnancy. But I also know from my own experience that you're going to gain what your body wants you to gain. I was really sick with our second child, throwing up all the time for a long stretch of that pregnancy, and even then I gained 50 lbs. that pregnancy, exactly the same as first time around. I wasn't gorging on food, eating fattening foods; in fact, I was being extra good about eating healthy with both kids (although consuming a lot of saltine crackers with the second because I was so nauseous).

Watching what you eat may apply to normal dieting, but when you're pregnant, there are so many other factors at play that it's just not that simple.

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H.M.

answers from Omaha on

I think that without having your full medical history and knowing what your BMI is answering this honestly is very hard! Not to mention taking medical advice from anyone online isn't a good idea. We don't have your medical history and we don't know your circumstances.

The American Academy of OB/GYN's is pry the best thing to go off of. If you are underweight It's like 25 to 35 you should gain, normal BMI you should shoot for 25, overweight or obese 15 and under.

So I'm guessing you are pry in the last category and that's why they are giving you guff. It sucks and it especially sucks when you are pregnant to have to hear about your weight. We're all told we can eat what we want when we're pregnant which just isn't true in the first place. The average woman only needs 400 more calories a day than she usually does. They recommend those weights because in those ranges they see the best outcomes of the pregnancies is the truth. I've known women to gain 50 pounds and even some to lose weight and everything turned out fine though. But you can always be a statistic and that blood pressure can start creeping up at any time and lead to possible disaster.

If you aren't overweight than I'd tune them out as much as I could and go by the Amer. Academy's guidelines if I was overweight (and I have been)... well I'd still try to go by the guidelines as hard as I could. I've been a statistic and I prefer to try and do everything I can to not become one. I wouldn't want to develop diabetes and have to have a c-section. I wouldn't want to develop HELLP and have my baby at 30 weeks or earlier even. Which are both more common in overweight obese pregnant women.

Although I do know how it sucks to hear about your weight... and it's especially hard while your pregnant and hungry all the darn time!

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