*** Belly Thread *** May 2013 *** - Page 25 « Back to Group Discussions

[OtherMother]

Loving all these bellies!

[CoBabyMaker]

26 weeks, 5 days  (the bathroom shot just got way classier since it's entirely gutted except for the dirty mirror.  Ha!)

[lisathena]

26 weeks and was actually feeling good yesterday!!! Today not as good, but hopefully we figure this migraines out SOON! they are exhausting :(

[Mama4life14]

Originally Posted by lisathena 

26 weeks and was actually feeling good yesterday!!! Today not as good, but hopefully we figure this migraines out SOON! they are exhausting :(

Looking good!! Just a thought about the migraines, my friend had migraines really bad her last pregnancy and she quit eating dairy and she stopped getting them! Not sure if it would work for everyone but it worked for her! Just in case you want to try

[lisathena]

We are already dairy free, thank you tho!

[AmandaLynnH]

This is one day shy of 27 weeks and one day after I made the mistake of bringing up my 24 lb weight gain with my midwife.  She was a bit judgy IMHO about it and, to them, it looks like I've gained nearly 30 lbs since they asked for my pre-pregnancy weight and I gave it to them based on my scale whereas theirs weighs me about 5 lbs heavier.  She told me to eat fewer empty calories.  Now, I do indulge every now and then and I eat dessert every night (did before pregnancy too with no weight gain and have successfully lost weight doing that as well) but it's not like I'm eating junk constantly.  I've eaten more fruits and veggies in the last few months than I have my entire life and DH and I have been really working on improving our eating habits.  My sciatic pain has made working out difficult.  And it doesn't seem to matter what I do, I gain about a lb a week pretty consistently regardless of whether I'm eating junk and sitting on my butt all the time or if I'm eating really well and working out a few times a week.  Everything I read says in the second and third trimesters you're supposed to gain about a lb a week, which is what I've been doing, I've just been doing it since the first trimester, which is why my total weight gain is about 24 lbs at this point.  And, according to them I'm measuring right where I'm supposed to be and the baby is in the 75th percentile so her comments were a bit harsh to me.  Mind you I gained nothing this week and everyone still says I'm so small for how far along I am (which I love hearing) so she can bite me.

I get a bit annoyed by the 'how are you feeling' question because I get it so often.   I know they mean well but I think it's the repetition that gets annoying.  I usually answer with, 'pregnant,'

I did get a nice compliment from my MIL who said, 'if you feel as good as you look you must be doing pretty well.'  I thought that was pretty perfect.

Oh, and if my mother asks, these photos don't exist.  I still refuse to send her bump pictures because she is weird, and creepy, and crazy and the reason I am having such self-esteem issues right now.

[Quinalla]

Wow Amanda, I'm sorry your midwife was so harsh about your weight gain! I'm so glad my OBs are always chill about my weight gain, because I gained somewhere between 50-60 lbs last pregnancy (I stopped looking after 50 which was towards the end) and am really trying to gain that much this time with twins as evidence points to that being what I need to do to grow them well. My body wants to put on weight when pregnant, eating right and exercising or not (I was much better about exercising my first pregnancy, not so much this time). I personally find the weight gain recommendations ridiculous for my body, especially the newer stricter ones they implemented a few years ago and since I don't have morning sickness (not sure if you do?) at all during pregnancy, I gain weight the entire time, no losing or low/no weight gain for me in the first trimester. I would personally ignore your midwife on that one, just eat right for you and get in exercise when you can, I bet you'll gain that ~1lb/week regardless like me (except I'm more like 1-2lbs a week!)

I think you look awesome btw! I know you didn't post looking for compliments, but you look great, that's how I looked with my DD.

Everyone looks really beautiful and I especially enjoyed the ladies in dresses, I am busting out a dress here as soon as it gets a bit warmer.

[AmandaLynnH]

Yea, I totally post looking for compliments ;) No shame in my game.

[pastormama]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

This is one day shy of 27 weeks and one day after I made the mistake of bringing up my 24 lb weight gain with my midwife.  She was a bit judgy IMHO about it and, to them, it looks like I've gained nearly 30 lbs since they asked for my pre-pregnancy weight and I gave it to them based on my scale whereas theirs weighs me about 5 lbs heavier.  She told me to eat fewer empty calories. 

In my first pregnancy, I requested that they stop weighing me around 30 weeks.  My CNMs had no problem with it.  This time around, my homebirth midwives don't even have a scale!  I have no clue how much I've gained.  If it really bothers you, you might request that they stop weighing.  For me, it drove my blood pressure up and cause false high readings that were concerning.

[BabySmurf]

I have gained almost 30 pounds so far, which puts me on a path to gain about 50 pounds again this time just like last time. And I eat much better now than I did before too. You look great and it sounds like you are taking care of yourself, so I would try not to worry about it. I can see why they have guidelines, but remember they are general and certainly not one sized fits all. My biggest issue with gaining so much was that it was more difficult to move around in labor, so I would recommend trying to stay moderately active just so that you are accustomed to moving your body at that size. I would also talk about not weighing as well.

[Quinalla]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

Yea, I totally post looking for compliments No shame in my game.

Nothing wrong with that either

[AmandaLynnH]

Originally Posted by pastormama 

In my first pregnancy, I requested that they stop weighing me around 30 weeks.  My CNMs had no problem with it.  This time around, my homebirth midwives don't even have a scale!  I have no clue how much I've gained.  If it really bothers you, you might request that they stop weighing.  For me, it drove my blood pressure up and cause false high readings that were concerning.

Originally Posted by BabySmurf 

I have gained almost 30 pounds so far, which puts me on a path to gain about 50 pounds again this time just like last time. And I eat much better now than I did before too. You look great and it sounds like you are taking care of yourself, so I would try not to worry about it. I can see why they have guidelines, but remember they are general and certainly not one sized fits all. My biggest issue with gaining so much was that it was more difficult to move around in labor, so I would recommend trying to stay moderately active just so that you are accustomed to moving your body at that size. I would also talk about not weighing as well.

Originally Posted by Quinalla 


Nothing wrong with that either

I weigh myself each week, just to keep tabs on it, which is how I know it's totally my body and not me.  It's doing it's own thing.  The thing is if I continue to gain about a lb a week like I have pretty consistently throughout the pregnancy I'll end up at 37 lbs gained which is only 2 lbs above the recommended range.  I realize that the baby's big growth periods are still to come but I'm guessing the recommended lb a week guideline takes that into consideration.  

It's just weird to me that I'm carrying a large baby, apparently (75th percentile), still look small compared to many people at my stage (except Times!), and have gained so much, yet not enough to necessarily warrant new clothes except for in the areas you'd expect (belly, boobs, and a little hips/thighs).  It doesn't seem to add up but then again, the body can be a mysterious little wench, can't she?

[nstewart]

There is a thread in the birth/beyond forum on weight gain in pregnancy.  I found it interesting that most posters were in the high end of the "recommended" range, or were over the recommended range.  Not everyone, of course, but seemed more were outside the range than in it.

I gained a ton of weight at the end with DS, but it was mostly water.  I was so swollen.  I am also gaining 1lb per week, and have been for some time.  I'm on track to gain 33lbs if that keeps up, but if I go over I will not be concerned.  While I'm less active than last pregnancy (well, going to the gym less, but I do have a toddler at home and he keeps me on my toes!) I have been eating healthier most days.  I eat when I'm hungry, and I mostly make good choices.  If I gain 40 lbs, or 50 like last time I won't be thrilled but so be it!  My health and baby's are more important than the numbers on the scale.

Amanda, you look great and I doubt you are carrying a large baby (they are horrendous at predicting size, except on the extreme ends of things.  Ultrasounds can be off by 1lb either direction, making for a 2lb range which, let's face it, is huge!!).  And 37 or even a bit more lbs weight gain sounds healthy to me!

[Lynann]

With DS1 I gained 40lbs and had a 8lb7oz baby. With DS2 I gained 25lbs and had a 9lb8oz baby. So far at 28w 4d I'm up a total of 8lb.

The differences in each pregnancy with what I ate were: DS1 mostly just stuck to the Brewer's Diet, but struggled with eating enough towards the end as there was just no room in my stomach. DS2 mainly stuck with Brewer's Diet again, but added in more protein in the 3rd trimester in the form of protein shakes and protein bars when I couldn't eat a lot of food. At the end of that pregnancy DH would make me a protein shake every evening and make me drink it. This time I switched from the Brewer's Diet to a low glycemic index type of eating plan at 18 weeks. My weight has been the same since then, but I have lost 3 cup sizes on my bra (from a J to a G) which I am actually happy about. My previous pregnancies I lost all my weight except the 10lbs I gained in the first trimester within just a few weeks. So this pregnancy I actually started up 30lbs from where I started my first pregnancy, which also meant starting 70lbs overweight for my height/build.
 

While I am not trying to loose weight or not gain weight this pregnancy I am much more aware of how my eating is influencing my overall health. Without the carb heavy eating I had previously I have a lot more energy, even while running after a 1 year old and a 2 year old. The only part of me growing is my belly, and it is definitely growing. I'm short so the only place for the baby to go is out. I don't even look pregnant front on or from the back, but side on my belly is sticking out quite a lot.

I do think that your body will gain what it needs to, when it needs to, if you are feeding it properly, and the weight ranges given by care providers mean absolutely nothing. Just as some women loose the baby weight quickly and some take a long time and lots of work before loosing the weight. There isn't any one size fits all about any aspect of pregnancy. You just have to follow your own mama instinct and make the best decisions you can with the knowledge you have.

[pastormama]

I agree with lynann and ntewart! And especially with how inaccurate size estimates for baby tend to be.

[OtherMother]

@25.5 weeks ... those are high-waisted jeans  :)

[Mama4life14]

Everyone is looking great! Speaking of weight.. The last time I saw my Midwife she said I went up "quite a bit" but told me its because at this stage my blood volume has doubled. So I'm glad that she wasn't worried about it at all. At that point I had gained something like 15 lbs. now I am at 20 lbs. Hope she will still be cool about it at my next appt.

I've been trying to eat healthy. Barely giving in to sweet stuff. Which is all I crave. I still eat when I'm hungry, I just make good choices. It sure is hard. I've never had to watch what I eat.. My last pregnancy I was active and it was the summer. I gained a total of 27 lbs. this time has been less active and winter. Boo! I've been doing some exercise videos at home though. Just to help a little!

Anywho.. Here is my 26 week picture!

[OtherMother]

While we're talking weight ...

I gained 40lbs with DD1, but ate not so well. I was young (not that this means anything when it comes to knowledge or choices) and uneducated about nutrition, and ate a  lot of junk food, as well as tons of carby sweets. However, I lost it all, plus 10 pounds or more, within 4-6 months, and stayed very very thin for about a year and a half (until I started eating too many carbs.)

This time, I started off at 150 and at last weigh in I was 162- so at 23.5 weeks, I'd gained 12 pounds. I've been very conscious of what I eat- the quality and how much- and overall have been eating extremely healthy- tons of veggies, whole grains, etc etc. 

It had been difficult for me to maintain balance with regard to how I view my weight-gain. I was stuck in the diet-rebound rut for years prior to getting pregnant, and have engaged in some less than healthy methods of weight loss. I eat very healthy foods, but often too much, or sugary stuff at night on top of them- and probably too little attention to carbs/fats/calories because "it's healthy!"

And you're supposed to just let go of all that in pregnancy and glory in your weight gain- but that's hard for me. Baby comes end of May, and then I'll half to be half naked at the beach, or uncomfortable in shorts/tee shirts if I've gained too much. I know it'll contribute to my overall mental health not to gain too much  :)  but I also don't want to feel like I'm still dieting while I'm pregnant. For now I'm trying to stick at/under 2000 calories, with attention to quality, and cut out any overt sugars. 

But I also have faith whatever I do gain will melt off (hopefully plus some) within 6 months from bf'ing.

[PhilsBabyMama]

With Maddox I started out at 120 lbs and gained 26 by 41 weeks. This time I think I'm a gaining a bit more. I'll be 29 weeks on Saturday and have gained 17 lbs. (Started at 120 again.) Technically, I'm supposed to gain 30-35 lbs since I was considered "underweight" because of my BMI, but at 5'6", 120 lbs just seems to be my default weight, regardless of what I'm eating or my activity level. The amount I'm "supposed" to gain is the suggestion from various websites. My midwife is really laid back about weight. She actually just asks me if I'm gaining weight at my appointments. She has a scale, but it's just there for if I want to hop on it. I think I'm more on track to gain about 30 lbs if I gain a pound a week from here on out.

I'm not worried about it, but did get a little irked with my husband when he said that I'm as big now as I was when I gave birth to our first son. One, that's not even close to true, and two, you'd think he'd know better! Hahaha!

[timesway]

other mother- you carry a lot like i do.. all spread out!! do people generally guess your preg before you tell them? ive still had noone guess but i think finally at 29 weeks someone would tell if i sat next to them with maternity clothes on and no coat or anything.. or if i was able to stand.. its crazy really!

everyone-another load of beautiful bellys :) i need to post mine tommorrow.. im constantly in bh atm.. some kind of constantly firm tummy so im a bit more stuck out sortve due to that.. so maybe you wil all see a difference (i hope :P) altho im hoping to see bfs daughter again on sat which would mean hiding my preg.. which means altho i hope .. i also dont hope.. i really do think we have got to the stage where something needs to be said.. but for now i guess i just wait for bf to feel ok about that..