Waaa! I think I'm gaining too much weight!

[flyingspaghettimama]

I've gained 10 lbs already (20 weeks), and I keep asking the front desk at my gym if their scale might be broken.

With my first pregnancy, I gained almost 50-75 lbs (yeah, that's right) due to feeling a little Britney Spears-ish about pregnancy - you know, I'm eating for two fully-grown people and I shouldn't have to get any exercise, such as walking to the store, because I'm pregnant. That's basically the attitude all the women in my family have about pregnancy - chuck the healthy food out the window and welcome the ice cream buffet, and lay around for other people to serve you. It's not healthy to diet during pregnancy becomes it's unhealthy to watch what you eat, at all. I lost about 25 lbs after pregnancy (yay breastfeeding, and much of it was also water weight from preeclampsia) but then it took a really long time to lose the rest. Also, I felt really awful afterwards, it was just hard to move. It was all around uncomfortable.

Oh, and my daughter was only 4 lbs of that weight. Not good.

So, this time I'm *trying* harder (but that double milkshake in Britney's hand looks pretty good right now) and exercising a LOT - maybe 3-5 times a week for about a half-hour at a time and sweating a ton. So I'm frustrated that the weight gain just keeps coming and I'm still feeling tired and not perky. I felt perkier first trimester.

I gained almost all of the weight in the last month and a half, as well (second trimester).

Waaa.

[samsmamma]

Don't worry about it (easier said than done). If it's any consolation, the scale at my gym says I gained about 20 lbs and I'm 18 weeks, so that is a lot. I gained 31 with Sam, but he came a month early. I'm just not worrying about it too much, though I'm not super comfortable moving around and stuff.

[memory maker]

according to a book that I have 10 lbs is normal for 20 weeks along. that is how much I have gained as well

[MrsMoe]

10 pounds is acceptable, and actually quite good.

Average weight gain each trimester:

first trimester - 3 to 4 pounds
second trimester - 12 to 14 pounds
third trimester - 8 to 10 pounds

End Pregnancy - average total weight gain 25-35 pounds (can slightly vary)
baby 7-8 pounds
breasts 1-2 pounds
muscle around womb gains 2 pounds
placenta 1.5 pounds
blood increases 2.5-3 pounds
water weight 5-8 pounds
fat 5-10 pounds (heavier women should gain less fat, thinner women more fat - fat is very important for breastfeeding)

[MellyMel]

I'm having the opposite problem. at my 11 week appointment I'd gained .75lb, and then at my 15 week appointment another .75lb, but then at my 20 week appointment I'd lost 2lb. I don't know what to do I'm already eating a ton (feels like anyways) I notice that I get fuller WAY quicker now, and really have to make every food choice count.

[MelW]

My midwives told me there is a recent study that shows that weighing women during pregnancy (and any subsequent "intervention" in diet, exercise, etc.) does nothing to improve outcomes. I haven't read the study myself, but it seemed like a good enough reason to not bother. So why not stop weighing yourself, and end the stress?!

Sounds like you're working hard to stay fit and eat well, which is really the most important thing

[chiro_kristin]

Saw your post on the main DDC page.

My MWs actually really want 20 pounds by 20 weeks. Then they don't care so much thereafter, but they think 1 pound per week is very healthy.

Which was good news for me, since that's exactly where I was at 20 weeks!

Don't worry about it. Don't be Britney, but eat when your body tells you to eat.

[crsta33]

Originally Posted by MelW

My midwives told me there is a recent study that shows that weighing women during pregnancy (and any subsequent "intervention" in diet, exercise, etc.) does nothing to improve outcomes. I haven't read the study myself, but it seemed like a good enough reason to not bother. So why not stop weighing yourself, and end the stress?!

Nice to know there's a study that backs up my mindset. I obsessed over my weight the first time, gained 50 lbs and had lost all by 5 of them by 6 weeks pp.

I've gained more weight earlier this time, but I'm not weighing unless I'm at a prenatal. I worried about it at first, but my body is doing what it needs to and I'm trying to eat well. So if I gain 50, or more, I'm not going to worry about it. During my first pg I'd worry all day when the scale at work said I'd gained a pound overnight and it turned out to be nothing to worry about.

Christa

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by MelW

My midwives told me there is a recent study that shows that weighing women during pregnancy (and any subsequent "intervention" in diet, exercise, etc.) does nothing to improve outcomes. I haven't read the study myself, but it seemed like a good enough reason to not bother. So why not stop weighing yourself, and end the stress?!

I should explain - because I had very severe preeclampsia/PIH last pregnancy, and obesity is one of the risk factors for pre-e (along with having it once before) and preterm labor (also having it in previous pregnancy), so I do have to monitor my weight very closely this time and make sure it doesn't get out of control via the ice cream buffet and nacho platters. If I start gaining 5 -10 lbs a week again, it's cause for concern and the end of the good times. I didn't worry at all about my weight last time, ha, not even when I WAS gaining 5-10 lbs (and neither did my not-so-proficient midwife, until I started with the other symptoms).

I just didn't know what was really normal, because it got all wacky last time around. Thank you everyone, I do feel a lot better to hear such a variation. MrsMoe, what book did you get that info from - that was a great breakdown.

[flapjack]

I gained a stone in 3 days, more or less...it appears every ounce of it is water. (I popped down to our drop-in centre to ask them to check my blood pressure, because I was worried about it.) Mind, we're having a heatwave here- temperatures of 30 degrees, which is about 10 degrees higher than an average british summer, and it's horribly humid, so I'm blaming it on that.

[gratefulbambina]

Ive gained 10 lbs too, my midwife said that was very good

[ECM]

Gaining 10 lbs at 20 weeks is perfectly normal. I don't understand what you're so worried about. Be aware of your heart rate when you work out. You shouldn't go above 140 BPM. You don't want to over-heat whith your baby. I work out and check my heart rate a few times during sessions. Pregnancy is a time for health, not vanity.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by ECM

Gaining 10 lbs at 20 weeks is perfectly normal. I don't understand what you're so worried about. Be aware of your heart rate when you work out. You shouldn't go above 140 BPM. You don't want to over-heat whith your baby. I work out and check my heart rate a few times during sessions. Pregnancy is a time for health, not vanity.

Right, health is what I'm worried about. Now if I wanted to write a diatribe on my Polish Life Raft, that would be a different thread. :LOL Mmm, beets.

I have actually read some very reassuring studies about heart rates though - the data that the 140 bpm is based on is not human-based, and each woman has her own max rate, depending on fitness level. My midwife (and studies) say that you find it by working comfortably, and your body will tell you when you're too hot/working too hard far before the baby gets too hot - like walking outside on a hot day or staying in a hot shower too long. You get uncomfortable, and you get out.

Thank you though for the advice, everyone. Although apparently I'm the only one worried about it! Not so much anymore...it was more fun last pregnancy when I didn't care at all! Just not so fun at the end postpartum, when it was hard to move and feel "normal" for me.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by flapjack

I gained a stone in 3 days, more or less...it appears every ounce of it is water. (I popped down to our drop-in centre to ask them to check my blood pressure, because I was worried about it.) Mind, we're having a heatwave here- temperatures of 30 degrees, which is about 10 degrees higher than an average british summer, and it's horribly humid, so I'm blaming it on that.

30c! That is so hot for the UK. Where are you located again, in Britain?

A stone is equivalent to 12 lbs - is that right? That would not feel comfortable in three days time. That must be heat-related, I'm sure.

Good luck. That must be miserable for you, because that it's NEVER been 30c there when I've been over.

[MrsMoe]

I also gained about 50 pounds with my first pregnancy and I lost all of it and more after 6 months of having her, and over 30 pounds of it was lost in the first week (I had a lot of water weight.) My weight gain this pregnancy is acutally slower than with my first.

[flapjack]

We're in Essex- about 45 miles out of London. And yes, this is extraordinary for the UK, and it's horrid muggy weather- very humid. I still can't believe I'm holding this much water, though- I can't fasten my bra

[Hornet]

Loraeileen have you looked at the Brewer eating plan. I think the website is www.blueribbonbabies.com
His diet has had really good outcomes for preclampsia (ms) Lots of fruits, veggies and protein. It is a lot of food so I use it as a guidleline but it might help you get an idea of what to eat. I am overwweight so I tend to obess about weight and eating a little. But I enjoy food during my pregnancies. I gained 30 lbs last PG, had a 8lb 8oz baby and had lost it all by 8 weeks which I can live with.

[dziejen]

I'm almost 18 weeks and have gained about 20lbs. I eat well with occasional junk food : but most of my diet is balanced and I have been active. I gained 50lbs with both prior pregnancies so I think that may be where I am headed in the end anyways and I just kinda accepted that it is the weight gain that my body needs during pregnancy although it is sometimes hard to feel like I am rapidly expanding in all directions!!! :LOL

[crunchyOkapi]

I lost 20lbs, then gained it back - plus 30 more last time. All 50 lbs was gained in ~12 weeks. I was back in a size 6 in about 2 mos. THis time, I'm on the same track. I lost 15lbs, now I'm finally gaining (earlier too, I'm only 17 1/2 wks). I've gained 2 lbs. back so far. Hooray for me.

Moral of the story, be healthy, be balanced. Your body knows what its doing, and will gain what it needs. Eat when your hungry, sleep when your tired - listen to your body.

[Slackermom]

Unless there are complicating factors, I don't think it's that useful to weigh oneself often during pg. I mean, I actually don't know what I weighed when I got pg. I can guess at it, but I don't know for sure. And since my dr didn't even start weighing me until 16 weeks, I only have an estimate of how much I've gained (and it is roughly 10 pounds, I would say).

Don't worry. Your body knows what it needs to do to grow a healthy baby. Just don't become Britney, and you'll be fine