Dieting/weightloss in pregnancy - safe?

[maja00]

I'm 6 weeks pregnant at the moment and about a stone overweight. I've basically cut out bread/pasta/rice/potatoes and sweets/cakes/biscuits in the last week (and booze of course) and have lost about 3lbs. I'd like to lose a bit more really and keep weight gain reasonable during the pregnancy.

What I want to know is, is this safe for the baby? I would say I am still eating pretty healthily - lots of salad and fruit and veg, chicken and fish, salads, soups, dairy products - and am taking a multivitamin. My BMI is 28 so I am not nearing starvation or anything!

[Chickpea1983]

You can still join weight watchers while pregnant, and they promote a balanced diet across all food groups. Really works!! Probably shouldn't cut out so much at the moment, and you may find you end up craving and binge on it anyway!

[Soupqueen]

I think it's slimming world, not weightwatchers, that accepts pregnant members.

I wouldn't cut out bread, pasta, potatoes and rice but focussing on healthy eating is definitely the best thing for you and the baby.

[maja00]

So weight loss itself isn't a problem then?

I'm not worried about reducing sugar/carbs, I don't think I am missing out on anything vital.

[Soupqueen]

I'm not an expert but I don't think you should be losing weight, more not gaining as much as you would if you weren't overweight.

This is useful

www.babycenter.com/pregnancy-weight-gain-estimator

[BelleEtLaBaby]

I lost weight in both my pregnancies through hyperemesis - stones and stones first time, about half a stone this time. Both times I was very nervous for the baby and have been really worried. Both times, my dr and mw have reassured me that its fine, not to worry. So it can't have a serious effect on the baby. The concern has been more for me - am I getting enough calcium and other nutrients to replace what the baby is taking?

I think the main thing with deliberate weight loss in pregnancy is it might prompt you to cut out or really limit certain things, like whole milk or carbs. I think that's why slimming world will accept you as their whole plan is about not cutting stuff out. Also it's not recommended to start a new exercise plan in pregnancy. And I think you need a midwife letter to join sw - friend of mine was on it pre-pregnancy, and her midwife said her bmi was not high enough and she had to leave until afterwards.

Are you being/feeling sick at all? 6wks is early days and you might find that whatever plans you have for what you like to eat and how much control over what you eat you might like to have, your body might have other ideas ;)

[maja00]

I'm feeling fine so far this time and am hopeful it will continue. Last time all I could eat was bland white things most mornings.

I don't think there are any nutrients I'm going to be missing from sweets/bread etc is there? Obviously I will still be getting sugar and carbs from fruit and veg and am still eating meat, fish and dairy products.

[April13]

Hey,
I am the same as you. Got married in April and have put on about 14-19 lbs. Was hoping to shift it before got pregnant, but luckily we fell really quickly and I am now in quandry about what to do weight wise. I am a dress size larger that what I was in April and really really worrying. Like you, for me to efectively lose wieght would be to cut bread, crisps etc but have read against doing that! I am also 6 weeks along. Will be watching this thread with interest!