19 weeks along, not gaining enough weight. « Back to Group Discussions

[twilight13]

I'm 19 weeks and this is my first pregnancy. Besides bad sciatica, I have been having a very easy pregnancy. But for some reason, I haven't been gaining very much weight. I'm very small to begin with 5'1" and before pregnancy I was about 115 pounds. Now at 19 weeks, I'm weighing in at 119-120 pounds. 

My belly has been growing and I definitely look pregnant. It's just not showing on the scale.  
 

I eat really good food including lots of good fats (avocados, oils, coconut), protein (including meat and dairy), lots of greens and fruit. I've been butter crazy since becoming pregnant and have been eating probably too much cheese. 
I eat lots of balanced small meals throughout the day. I also drink plenty of water. 

My midwife said that she isn't too concerned yet and wants me to continue to focus on eating healthy food as opposed to eating to gain weight. 

Maybe there's nothing to worry about, but because my two previous pregnancies ended in miscarriage, I have tended towards worrying this pregnancy. 

Has anyone else had trouble gaining weight? Anyone have any ideas for me? 

Thanks! 

[BeanBean06]

I'm not as small as you were pre pregnancy. No where close, I am 5'8 and started the pregnancy abt 30lbs over weight. But I have gained nothing! I weigh exactly the same as I did before pregnancy and I'm 20wks3days. U have gained some and it sounds like ur eating well!so I wouldn't be worried! I asked my doc abt it and he said as long as I'm eating (and I am lol constantly lol) he said some women just don't gain a lot! Nothing to worry abt my sil is very thin and during her pregnancies she only gained like 20lbs total, and she has two very healthy boys. Everybody is different

[TIFF4NY]

Based on what you say you are eating I wouldn't worry one bit. It sounds like you are getting a very well balanced diet and I would continue to eat to satiety. You might be someone who gains rapidly later on in pregnancy as the baby grows quickly. 

[kwiathellen]

I am 5'7 and weighed only 109lb when I got pregnant and now at 19weeks I weigh only about 115lb. My last two pregnancies I gained about 35lb and I usually start gainig weight a little later in the pregnancy.

Hope this helps:)

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by twilight13 

I'm 19 weeks and this is my first pregnancy. Besides bad sciatica, I have been having a very easy pregnancy. But for some reason, I haven't been gaining very much weight. I'm very small to begin with 5'1" and before pregnancy I was about 115 pounds. Now at 19 weeks, I'm weighing in at 119-120 pounds. 

My belly has been growing and I definitely look pregnant. It's just not showing on the scale.  
 

I eat really good food including lots of good fats (avocados, oils, coconut), protein (including meat and dairy), lots of greens and fruit. I've been butter crazy since becoming pregnant and have been eating probably too much cheese. 
I eat lots of balanced small meals throughout the day. I also drink plenty of water. 

My midwife said that she isn't too concerned yet and wants me to continue to focus on eating healthy food as opposed to eating to gain weight. 

Maybe there's nothing to worry about, but because my two previous pregnancies ended in miscarriage, I have tended towards worrying this pregnancy. 

Has anyone else had trouble gaining weight? Anyone have any ideas for me? 

Thanks! 

I'm in a similar boat with you, except I'm not small, I'm (a lot?) bigger than I should be. As of last check (October 30, so... 14.5 weeks, I think) I was still *down* five pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight, even though I had/have been eating like there's no tomorrow. (Not trying to gain weight, just immensely hungry.) I felt like I was eating so much, that when they told me that they liked people to gain at least one pound in their first trimester, and that I needed to try and eat more, and add more (healthy) fats to my diet, I was like  "I'm going to explode!!!" But even a few weeks after that (when I had been trying to eat more/more healthy fats), I was still at where I was when they said that. I'm wondering if in my case, it might have something to do with my weight, and maybe I don't need to gain that much. (With my first two, I gained ~50-60 lbs, each, and never could lose it.) I'm not terribly worried about it. The way my mom put it, "You're just getting a head start to losing the baby weight."

I guess I'm not a terribly big help, but at least you know you aren't alone. :)

[at_the_hip]

I don't think your weight gain is a concern...you aren't underweight to start off with and many women lose or only gain 1 lb or so in the first trimester.  So at 19 weeks, 5 weeks into the first trimester at 1 lb per week, you'd be looking at 5-6 lbs weight gain within a normal range.

I too started at a normal weight and lost for the first few months because of morning sickness.  I'm only just passing my starting weight now...I think I might be a lb over my starting weight now at almost 19w.  Just eat healthy as you are and the 2nd/3rd trimester will see more weight gain.  :)

[Ethelpea]

If you're eating as healthy as you say you are, with all your fats and proteins, then I wouldn't worry. 

You eat like me. Due to chronic health problems, though, I WAS underweight before I got pregnant, by about 15 or so pounds.  Pregnancy was my kick in the pants to put my energies into cooking and eating well.  It worked and somewhere around 15-16 weeks I had gained enough to be considered at a normal, healthy, pre-pregnancy weight.  Since then, I've only put on a few pounds (maybe 4),   So, all said, I have put on around 20 pounds this first half.  I definitely look HUGE and pregnant, though.  Keep eating well and eating to satiety. 

[mamaemmot]

that's ok...  eat healthy.  drink enough water.  and you should be fine...  I always have a difficult time gaining in the beginning.  my body waits til about 32 weeks to suddenly start gaining.  LOL  I gain a consistent 30 lbs EVERY pregnancy but it always waits til the last half of the 3rd trimester to show up.  LOL  so stay healthy and you should be fine!

[twilight13]

Thanks everyone for your replies! It's nice to know that weight gain truly varies from person to person. :-)

I've started setting an alarm on my phone to remind me to eat a little bit and drink some water every two hours. I work full time and some days I probably wasn't giving myself the time I needed to eat. Now with hummus, avocados, nuts, carrots, and those sesame blue corn chips at hand I've been eating up a storm. It's still not showing on the scale, but my belly is getting nice and big and I feel the baby moving lots, so all is well.  

[mamaemmot]

Originally Posted by mamaemmot 

that's ok...  eat healthy.  drink enough water.  and you should be fine...  I always have a difficult time gaining in the beginning.  my body waits til about 32 weeks to suddenly start gaining.  LOL  I gain a consistent 30 lbs EVERY pregnancy but it always waits til the last half of the 3rd trimester to show up.  LOL  so stay healthy and you should be fine!

Apparently this pregnancy is completely different.  LOL  I am 18w3d and have already put on almost 5 pounds  LOL.  we had the big ultrasound today and munchkin is already a guesstimate 10oz.  :)  and she is another LONG baby.  (I feel sorry for my ribs in the 3rd Trimester  LOL) 

[twilight13]

Thought I'd post an update. Now at wk 22 I am up to a normal weight. I think that now that the baby is putting on weight, I am gaining. 
Thank you for all of your responses!