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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Anyone up for a chat about weight loss/maintenance in pregnancy?

63 replies

AyeWhySwim · 05/10/2017 19:19

Hi - I've just found out I'm about 6 weeks pregnant and in an ideal world I'd have lost some of this excess weight before conceiving. It happened more quickly than I expected and I think I needed the kick up the bum to get really serious about my diet. To put it in context I'm more than a couple of stones overweight so I'm not just being fussy.
I've read of people losing/not gaining weight during pregnancy to maximise health for themselves and their baby - I'd like to know if anyone else has done this or is in the position of wanting to do this? Or has links to resources on what the best approach is to be as healthy as possible? Or just to have a chat about how it's going for them?
Thanks!

OP posts:

Report

Mortigua · 05/10/2017 19:43

I'll join you. Not much advice but also had a couple of stone to lose pre pregnancy. I'm afraid I've not been great on diet- also quite limited mobility wise due to PGP but I am trying and I have cut down massively on caffeine as well as alcohol obviously so that's got to help.
Going to start swimming soon and hopefully antenatal pilates. What I do need to do is sort out my diet as I got into bad habits during the feeling sick phase.
And congratulations !!

Cagliostro · 05/10/2017 19:51

Hello!

I am nearing the end of pregnancy now at 34 weeks but to my surprise I have lost half a stone during that time. I wasn't trying to. Consultant (referred because of my high BMI) just said "make healthy choices, don't try to lose weight." She was pleased I had lost over 1.5st before conceiving (unplanned pregnancy)

Nobody has actually weighed me since 12 weeks though, I only did out of interest a few weeks ago. I am now on a low carb diet because I have been diagnosed with GD so I may well have lost weight since then too. But obviously the bump is increasing rapidly too.

I have limited mobility due to a pre-existing condition and so I've not really managed to do anything other than walking. Starting to do my Davina antenatal workout a bit but that's not so much for weight loss as being scared I'm not fit enough to push a baby out of me

Mortigua · 05/10/2017 20:16

I know what you mean about being scared about fitness for birth, I'm the same. Didn't know Davina had an antenatal dvd - will look that up.

Cagliostro · 05/10/2017 21:51

I love her, it's very informal and unintimidating IYSWIM compared to a lot of fitness DVDs that I don't like. I had it during my other pregnancies (DCs 10 and 8 now - big age gap!) and immediately bought it again. :o

lampert · 05/10/2017 22:03

@AyeWhySwim hi there! I'm six weeks too and need to shift a couple of stone. I guess that's not going to happen now but I need to do something to control things. My bmi is 27.5 and that scares me!!

Cagliostro · 05/10/2017 22:06

AyeWhySwim!!! I hadn't looked at the name before but that's brilliant. I see exactly what you mean by it 😂

Grimmfebruary · 05/10/2017 22:14

I'm nearly 22 weeks and could do with losing a stone and a half (which I could have done with before hand 😂) but will encourage/try to lose some!

lampert · 05/10/2017 22:14

Oo maybe I should get a DVD too. Is it this one?

Davina - My Pre & Post Natal Workouts [DVD] [2007] https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LRYTCC/ref=cm swwr cppapi_bbQ1zbR8J4W7X

pregnant woman standing on scales

Weight gain in pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy is one of life's certainties, but studies show that many women don't know how much weight they should be putting on – and could be putting themselves and their baby at risk

Cagliostro · 05/10/2017 23:01

Yep that's the one :)

DeadDoorpost · 05/10/2017 23:03

I'm really not the best person to give advice on how I lost 2.5 stone during the pregnancy as it was down to Hyperemesis BUT I have been staying the same weight for pretty much the last 10 weeks at least as I'm apparently losing weight at the same rate as gaining baby weight (midwife' s analysis of it all). I think I may have said something about it to lampert on her thread the other week but I eat as many veg and fruits as I can, along with iron rich foods to help with my anaemia and then eat mince and chicken alternatively but not every day.
I do also snack on biscuits and cakes occasionally but I still seem to keep the weight off... was the same when I did Slimming World as well. No idea why it happened but there we go.
Something else that has helped me is having a food Rota that can easily be switched around if needed and having 'safe' foods to eat as well if I really don't fancy doing a thing, such as chicken dippers on a day when I'm feeling down, or DH will get me pizza or shepherds pie if I'm really hormonal and upset as they're my favourite.
And then making sure I drink plenty of water/squash/ orange juice etc

AyeWhySwim · 05/10/2017 23:22

Hiya - lovely to hear some encouraging stories - will have to have a look for Davina workout - i wonder if there's anything on YouTube that's similar? Swimming will be a good option too. I'm also a bit worried about the prospect of feeling really unfit as things progress.
So far I've been trying to eat mainly fruit/veg based meals with healthy proteins and limiting processed carbs. I'd love to think I can lose a few pounds or just not gain at all. I'm really annoyed I didn't get a grip on this before conceiving though at the same time don't want to spoil the enjoyment of being pregnant by beating myself up about my weight.

Has anyone had much in the way of comments from health professionals? I haven't had my booking appt yet and am a bit stressed about the midwife being critical and me feeling ashamed :-( I know someone's mentioned seeing a consultant? Sorry I can't look up the post as on phone app.

Anyway, one day at a time...one meal at a time!
Congratulations everyone x

OP posts:

AyeWhySwim · 06/10/2017 08:13

Also another thing I'm trying to do is eat my main meal at lunchtime and eat more lightly later in the day.

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Cagliostro · 06/10/2017 08:19

I haven't had any nasty comments at all and my BMI was really high. I was really upfront about it and just said I know there are risks, what do I do etc.

I was referred to a consultant straight away because of the BMI, I was at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes - but that was likely anyway as we reckon I had it undiagnosed with my previous child (now 8) who was nearly 12lb at birth 😳. So it was always going to be a high maintenance pregnancy IYSWIM. Lots of extra scans and appointments so I feel like I live at the hospital but I feel very well looked after.

I mentioned that I had lost some weight in the new year (before pregnancy) - basically all I did was cut down on fizzy drinks - and she was pleased about that, and just said don't try and lose any more.

Cagliostro · 06/10/2017 08:23

So I didn't try to lose anything and I was really surprised it's happened - I did find it difficult to eat much until about 16 weeks (awful nausea, far worse than previous pregnancies, but I was lucky not to actually vomit at all) but I was convinced I'd put on since then as I get so hungry. But I think I have gradually improved at making better choices and not mindlessly eating any old crap. Also as baby grows I literally don't have the room to eat much in one go 😂😂

harrietm87 · 06/10/2017 08:24

Hello. I wasn't overweight before pregnancy but put on over a stone in the first trimester (combination of overeating due to nausea and a side effect of steroids I've been on), so I need to maintain my weight now or at least dramatically slow down the gain now I'm in my second trimester.

I've just rejoined the gym and going to try to alternate light cardio with swimming 3 or 4 times a week. Luckily I've had aversions to sweet things but need to cut down the white bread and cereal as well and eat more veg.

Jenacles · 06/10/2017 09:03

So glad to see this thread! Was feeling bad for considering trying to lose/not gain weight during pregnancy, because all the advice seems to say don't try.

I'm about 14 weeks, and have so far put on 3 pounds, which isn't too bad - last pregnancy I put on loads! I was exercising before I got pregnant (T25) and now I just do the modified version, but I would like to do it more often, because I'm not feeling so tired now.

I just need to get a handle on snacking. Yesterday I ate a whole sharing bag of crisps by myself

AyeWhySwim · 06/10/2017 09:18

It's really encouraging to have company :-) I keep thinking about going for a fast walk/jog in the evenings but then I'm too tired - wasn't really active before pregnancy but am concerned about keeping up with my other kids as this pregnancy progresses! I also had health complications in previous pregnancies but not GD so want to minimise risks.
I don't know what my BMI is - the thought terrifies me! Just hope I get a nice MW who isn't too judgemental.

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NerNerNerNerNerNerNerNerBATMAN · 06/10/2017 09:22

Hi OP, congrats on your pregnancy! I know what you mean about wishing you'd shifted the weight before getting caught. At my booking the midwife said they are only concerned if BMI is over 30 - and then they have extra supper they can offer. I was also sent info on a slimming world class at the maternity unit that's open to everyone, and an exercise programs that's free for pregnant women. It's called MamaFit - they have a website and may have classes in your area?

I think your approach is sensible, eat well and don't beat yourself up about it (easier said than done in know). If you're minded to, and are able to, breastfeeding can really help shift the weight post pregnancy. I lost 3 stone over 12 months from this alone, and was eating a lot of cake whilst doing it

AyeWhySwim · 06/10/2017 10:41

Thanks Batman - I breastfed the last 2 times and intend to again but unfortunately never found it helped at all with weight loss!
The slimming world/exercise class provision sounds fantastic but I've never heard of anything like that in this area. Will ask at booking appt what support is available though.
I'm going to look up how to work out my bmi and put myself out of that misery!

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AyeWhySwim · 06/10/2017 10:45

That was horrific. Well over 30. Wish I hadn't bothered looking now!

OP posts:

harrietm87 · 06/10/2017 11:20

OP don't worry - bmi isn't a perfect measure anyway. Mine was done at my booking in and I was horrified! I think it's best to focus on staying active and eating well during pregnancy, rather than dwelling too much on the numbers, that's going to be my approach anyway!

lampert · 06/10/2017 11:33

I'm dreading having to be weighed at booking in. I know exactly what my weight is as I check every morning but the thought of having to share it with the midwife.....

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AyeWhySwim · 06/10/2017 12:05

Wise words Harriet. We'll have to keep that in mind. Know the feeling Lampert

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Hiroshi · 06/10/2017 12:16

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Cagliostro · 06/10/2017 15:44

FWIW my BMI was about 40 at the start of the pregnancy and I still didn't get any nasty comments etc. Wasn't any support offered either so I've just made my own efforts really. Unfortunately I can't do any evening classes like aquanatal etc because DH works weird shifts.

Annoyed today as my usual Friday thing is to walk down to the park (my DH runs a sports class for home educated kids - ours are HE) but... I had to give up part way and get the bus as I really needed a wee again 😂 and it's always much worse when standing/walking. So annoying as energy wise I actually felt great this morning and I really enjoy the walk down there (I can't manage the way back as it's uphill).

My advice would be to make the most of the exercise before you have 5lb+ resting on your bladder. 😡

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