[chibaby]

I am currently 7 1/2 weeks pregnant and weighed myself this morning. I was shocked to see that I had gained seven pounds already! I'm 5'8 and pre-pregnancy weighed 128, this morning I was 135. All of my books say a healthy weight gain in the first trimester is around 2-6 pounds and I am already past that.

Is this gain healthy? I really don't want to gain a substantial amount of weight. I've had no morning sickness (which I'm grateful for!) and have been eating normally, maybe just a couple of snacks more per day. I am a runner (used to run 3-5 miles per day) but have scaled back to just 45 minutes of walking to be precautionary. Maybe this could be causing it?

How much do you gain (or lose) in the first trimester and how much is healthy? Thanks!

 

[boscopup]

It's normal to lose a little bit, not gain anything, or gain steadily. I averaged about 1 lb per week in the first trimester this pregnancy.

Also, were you maybe a bit underweight at the start? I'm 5'9", and a *good* weight for me would be somewhere around 145 (I haven't been that since maybe high school?). I usually start in the 180s or 190s and gain about 35ish lbs during pregnancy. It all comes off afterward no problem.

I wouldn't worry about your weight gain. Also, you're not quite 8 weeks, and 8 weeks is usually when the real nausea kicks in, so you might end up eating a bit less soon and not gaining as much, even if you don't throw up (I never throw up in the first trimester, but I do get nausea). But the weight gain usually slows down later on, so you sound just fine. I'd say it's normal for you to gain 35 or maybe a bit more (if you started out underweight at all) during pregnancy, and since you're a runner, you'll probably get back into that at the appropriate time postpartum and the weight will come off pretty easily most likely.

 

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

From what I've seen, talking with lots of women with lots of different body-types, that if you eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full, and listen to your cravings, you'll gain exactly what you need. For some women, that's 90 pounds. For others, it's 10. And all the weight gained in that way is usually gone by 6-9 months post partum, which is VERY normal.

At 5'8 and 128 you are probably very thin. I'm 5'3 and last time I weighed 128ish I was a US size 4 (at places like Old Navy, JCPenney, TJ Maxx, Forever 21, etc). It is very common for thin women to gain a lot of weight in pregnancy because, frankly, they need it. Heavier women, in general, tend to gain significantly less even without restricting their weight. I'm 32 weeks, started out 5'3 and 175, and I'm probably only up 10 pounds, if that. I personally track my measurements and not my weight, and my non-hormonal measurements (hips and thighs) are the about the same as they were pre-pregnancy.

Frankly, focusing on weight is an inherently unhealthy activity. Eat healthily to your satisfaction, get what exercise you can, and don't worry about it. Habits matter so much more than pounds that even talking about poundage is ridiculous.

 

[belltree]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunflwrmoonbeam From what I've seen, talking with lots of women with lots of different body-types, that if you eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full, and listen to your cravings, you'll gain exactly what you need. For some women, that's 90 pounds. For others, it's 10. And all the weight gained in that way is usually gone by 6-9 months post partum, which is VERY normal.

I agree.

Additionally, part of it might also have to do, with the kind of foods you are craving. All my cravings and aversions have lead me to a diet high in vegetables, low in sugar, high in fruits, little milk and carbs, I can't stand artifical sweetener, sodas, artifical flavors, candy. So haven't gained anything yet, just lost a couple pounds.

Part of your weight gain might have also do it, with constipation or water retention.
You started out with a healthy normal weight and you just gained slightly more than expected. I wouldn't worry to much about it.

Quote:

Frankly, focusing on weight is an inherently unhealthy activity. Eat healthily to your satisfaction, get what exercise you can, and don't worry about it. Habits matter so much more than pounds that even talking about poundage is ridiculous.

Yep. We are talking about 1lb more than average

 

[lilgreen]

Everyone is different. I got worried my first pg with my fast weight gain in the 1st tri, but then realized that's just my pattern.

I gain most of my weight in the first tri then I totally taper off. With ds1 I gained over 15lbs in the first tri, but gained only a total of 28lbs. The same thing happened with ds2 - gained 15+lbs in first tri, then a total of only 23lbs. This time I had gained 20lbs by 17wks and I have only gained an additional 7 or 8 lbs since (I'm 39.5wks).

That's just the way my body works. As long as you're eating half decent and getting some kind of exercise (so hard in the 1st tri, I know, try to trust that your body is doing what it needs.

ps- I'm a runner, too, and almost exactly the same size pre-pg.

 

[cloudbutterfly]

I had the same worries as you, because I gained five or six pounds right away (similar height and weight and number of weeks along), but then I've leveled off. I don't feel like I'm even eating any more than I was before I was pregnant--I've developed an aversion to most desserts--so I figure a lot of it is a bit of bloating and my inflating chest. Don't stress too much.

 

[Llyra]

Don't worry about it. If you're thin to begin with (you sound like you were), and you're eating reasonably healthy food choices enough to satisfy your appetite, you're doing fine. Weight gain in the first trimester is so iffy-- sometimes women gain none, or even lose, because of nausea. Others, like me, find that eating lots staves off the nausea, and gain a LOT as a result. Either way, if you're following your appetite, and getting a bit of exercise here and there, the weight you gain will be just exactly what your body needs.

It can be really hard, if you're used to watching your weight and being in good shape, to accept the weight gain as inevitable. I gained more than 60 pounds with DD1--- I'd started at only 110, and it was so difficult to deal with being so much larger. But you need the weight to sustain baby's growth, so it's okay to just relax and let it happen.

Don't want to alarm you,

but I gained a TON during the first trimester the last time around-- turns out I was having twins. Women with multiples often notice that their first trimester weight gain is way above what's average.

 

[Talula Fairie]

You're very slender already, it's pretty normal to gain a little bit more when you're slender. Your body is trying to put on fat stores for breastfeeding. A lot of it could also be water weight. You may even lose some later if you start getting nauseous or start vomiting.

The arbitrary 2-6 lbs has always seemed silly to me, and they base it off how much they think you'll gain in your 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Everyone says you gain the most in the 2nd but personally I always gain the most in my 3rd.

 

[simplykate]

I wouldn't worry about it, It's just different for everyone. I didn't gain an oz until I was 20 weeks and then I packed on 40 pounds in the next 10 weeks. Needless to say, that kind of freaked me out! Now in the third trimester the weight gain has slowed, but I'm sure I'll reach at least 50.
It took me awhile to accept it, but there's really not a lot you can do about it as long as you are eating well and getting some activity ( which isn't always possible depending on how you feel). You're body IS going to gain the amount needed to healthily support you and the baby.
It's a lesson in surrender!
Also, thin women tend to put on more weight, which I think a PP pointed out....
the fat reserves are good to have at a time when your body is working so hard to support another life!

 

[Aufilia]

In my first pregnancy I lost 12lb in the first trimester. This time around I had gained 7lb by 9 weeks and I'm guessing I've gained 10-12lb total by now (13 weeks). And I have to say, I feel a LOT healthier this time around!

 

[sunnygir1]

Don't worry! It is normal. It is important to eat well and keep walking, but DON"T start limiting your food intake to reduce weight gain...especially not at this point. If you were slender before pregnancy (which it sounds like you were), you will probably easily return to a normal weight after pregnancy...especially since you are active.

 

[Norasmomma]

See I am convinced that I gained 10lbs before my 9 week appointment, but my Dr doesn't believe me. I gained 10lbs early on with DD also. Then I stopped from months 4-5 and only gained a 1/2 lb each month. I think it varies, there is just so much pressure to put everyone into a little box o what "should" happen. It's frustrating.

 

[3boobykins]

In all three of my pregnancies, I gained 8-10 pounds during the first trimester, and a total of 30--ate when hungry, which was sometimes constantly, sometimes not. I think our bodies gain as needed.

 

[Kristin0105]

With my dd I gained 10 lbs before I knew I was pregnant. Found out I was pregnant at about 6.5-7 weeks and was 10 lbs heavier that the month before when I was at the doctors. I then rapidly gained another 65 lbs between week 7 and 5 months. Before I was pregnant I worked out 3 hours a day once the ms hit I stopped completely. At 5 months I realized the weight gain was never going to end so I started swimming an hour a day until I gave birth. I gained an additional 15 lbs between, month 5 and when my dd was born. So all told I gained 90 lbs. If I had started swimming as soon as I got pregnant or at least did part of my work out I would have been so much better off weight wise.

For what it's worth you can maintain your fitness program during pregnancy just listen to your body. However, I also agree you were probably too thin to begin with and your body is doing what it needs to do to sustain your pregnancy. Now is not the time to worry about keeping your weight down.

 

[jenjenl18]

You are really skinny (and fit it sounds like!), your body probably needed it. Its probably mostly water weight as your blood volume increases significantly. I wouldn't worry about it really. With my first I gained 29lbs total and I recall gaining "more than typical" in the first tri. It levels itself out. Seriously just stay active and eat healthy and you will be fine. And being as fit as you sound to be, I bet the weight will melt off after the baby is born. With DS1 I was in shape and I easily dropped my preg weight(of course I added some back on after DS was 8mos, but thats my fault...and EBFing fault!). oh and this go round I've gained at least 4-5lbs so far....which happened overnight after my BFP- seriously! I feel huge but I'm trying not to worry about it!

 

[Sleepyheaded_Mama]

If I weigh myself first thing in the morning before I eat anything for the day, I have only gained 2 pounds. By nightfall it is always closer to 6. Oh, and I am 7 weeks 2 days today. And nothing fits me anymore, so I feel at least 15 pounds heavier regardless of what the scale claims.

:

 

[chibaby]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was just a bit surprised at the scale! I guess I'll just have to let my body do it's thing and gain as much as is needed for the little one inside me. I am not and do not plan to limit calories for the sake of being vain....I just wanted to make sure that my gain is somewhat healthy. I eat pretty healthily and eat when I'm hungry and will continue to do so.

 

[darcytrue]

I gained around 12 lbs in the first trimester.

It was expected though as I overate a lot and kept my belly full, something I definitely did not do pre-pregnancy. I was a little underweight before getting pregnant - thank goodness. At this point I'm in the 16th week and already gained a whopping 17 lbs.

 

[kamane18]

Stopping running could definitely be having an impact too. I was running 15-18 miles a week before getting pregnant (some of them sprints) and then once I got my HPT slowed way down to only jogging 3xweek for 20 minutes tops (and a slow jog at that). After about 24-26 weeks I switched to walking. Our bodies get used to the running and burn calories differently when we stop, I believe. I'm now up 22 pounds at 33 weeks tomorrow, which I'm happy with. But I miss running and am looking forward to starting again when I can!

 

[Kelly1101]

I gained about five pounds first trimester (started out at a healthy-for-height 125), but I didn't have any morning sickness, and was ravenously hungry my entire first trimester-- I imagine that some women who lose or don't gain a lot, it's from not being able to keep down food.

Definitely keep in mind, though-- first few weeks (since you're just shy of 8 weeks only), the bloating and increase in breast can answer for a couple extra pounds very easily.

As long as you feel good, I wouldn't worry about it.