Pregnant and diet?

[Sillyoldme]

Hello
looking for some advice. I am about a stone and a half overweight (size 16) so not huge but a few months or so ago I decided enough was enough and I that I was going to start eating healthy foods, exercise more and stop so much booze. Nothing drastic: just swimming 3 times per week, more fruit and veg etc. Since then the weight has been coming off at a steady 1lb or 2 per week. I've just found out I'm pregnant (5 weeks) and I'm wondering can I continue? I know that pregnancy and 'diets' are a no no butbwhat about healthy eating like I'm doing? What if I continue to lose weight? Will this harm the baby? Thanks very much x

I think you can carry on as you were until you are 12 weeks, so long as it is normal healkthy pregnancy and you aren't excluding whole food groups. After 12 weeks you need to consume 200 more calories per day than the average woman (so 2200 thereabouts) and no you won't hurt the baby.

it sounds fine but why not ask your midwife when you go in for booking apt, and see if they give you the go ahead to continue.
i was told (by gym person not midwife though) that once your in 2nd trimester just avoid floor based exercise and ones where ur raising ur arms much higher than your body (thats due to raising blood pressure apparently) but the other things are fine like cardio machines, even weights. im sure swimming is fine for pregnancy, and eating healthily more fruit and veg etc can not be bad for your baby? but obviously if you feel hungry don't starve yourself. i thought the extra 200 was only needed in the last trimester but not too sure so maybe i am wrong and the previous poster is right on that.

Of course you can carry on, swimming is good for you during pregnancy as it is non weight bearing exercise and more fruit and veg is never a bad thing.
As for the extra calories I thought that wasn't till the last trimester but I could be wrong.

It might be the last trimester. I'm not sure either. Loads of help to the op aren't we?

But I was advised that swimming and gentle exercise helps with an easier labour and a speedier recovery.

of course you can continue- you are just eating less junk and more fruit and veg plus exercising moderately- there is nothing wrong with that. as far as additional 200 calories- i never heard about that, my OB always told and tells me that you should't diet per se, but should eat sensibly, consume more fruit and veg, and generally just be reasonable about what you eat (avoiding the specified foods as well).

Keep the swimming going...not only is the exercise good for you, it's brilliant for the old pelvic floor..!

The 200 extra calories is only in your 3rd trimester. You don't need to eat for two at all, but make sure you eat 'well' which it sounds like you are already.

I went to a slimming club once with a woman who dieted the whole time she was pregnant. (with the support of her doctor) when she was 40 weeks she was 11/2 stone lighter than when she started!

You don't need the 200 extra calories, and junk food (sugary) has no nutritional value and is not needed in pregnancy at all.

Speak to your GP, from what you say about your diet you should be able to continue with it. If your calories intake is lower than it should be, better to eat some extra fruit/veg/lean meat than reach for unhealthy foods. I don't think its so clear cut that diets and pregnancy are a no-no as long as its a sensible weight loss diet rather than a crash diet.

I didn't diet in pregnancy but went to the gym 3 x a week, only stopped running at 7 months, and only in last month switched to the pool. And had easy labours and quick recoveries.

In other countries (I think France/Japan) lot more pressure on pregnant women to not put on too much weight in pregnancy. Someone who is a bit overweight doesn't have to put on much at all.

You can go to Slimming World - they are approved by the Royal College of Midwives. They have charts (for MWs to check you're not losing too much) and everything.

I would just say regarding those comments from those saying that you don't need extra calories, that you don't if you are eating an amount close to what you would need generally to survive each day. If you are a calorie restricted diet then it is likely that you will need to increase the amount that you are eating to a weight maintenance level. I was dieting (for want of a better word) pre-pregnancy and I literally wouldn't have the energy to do anything if I was still eating the same amount now. Keep eating healthily and listen to what your body needs.

MumNWLondon As someone who is a "bit" overweight I actually resent someone commenting that I shouldn't put on much weight at all, I am 23 weeks have put on 9 lbs and it is all bump. I'm growing a baby and I am going to weigh more at the end of this than I did at the beginning, why pile even more pressure onto women regarding their body image at a time when they have much more important things to think about. The OP is only a stone and a half overweight and shouldn't be encouraged to think that she should try and achieve the same weight at the end of pregnacy because of this.

thefurryone the OP specifically asked if she could continue with her diet. The answer is yes she can.

In terms of those who are over weight not needing to put much weight on, well that is well documented, so was saying it to reassure her that she didn't need to gain weight, and her baby will not be harmed. Clearly as you say no point in stressing about it when there are other things to worry about it if you are happy to gain weight.

Obviously if you are overweight and don't put weight on in pregnancy, you do still grow a "bump" just your other fat stores decrease a bit.

Interesting article:
women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article3395695.ece

Is this your first baby, Sillyoldme? You may only need an additional 200 calories but your body will tell you it feels hungry all the time, it will demand odd food to stave off constant nausea in the first trimester and make you starving all the time thereafter. By all means try and keep up the good work but also bear in mind you will be feeling really hungry and don't feel bad about eating if you need to!

I put on about 3 and a half stone when pregnant last time. And guess what - I lost it all afterwards without particularly trying within 6 months. And then went back to running. Breatfeeding helps here.

Enjoy being pregnant, exercise a bit if you like, don't feel bad if you don't feel up to it. Eat when you are hungry. If you don't eat then neither does the baby. Don't put pressure on yourself and don't beat yourself up when you put on weight either. Plenty of time to lose it afterwards.

Good point - can be very hard to diet in pregnancy due to constantly being starving, although still possible to make good food choices eg banana rather than chocolate bar.

I don't think its right though that if you "don't eat neither does your baby" unless you have no fat stores.

FWIW I put on 3 stone in my recent pregnancy, and although I lost a bit when I gave birth, I was back to my 40 week weight when my DS2 was 6 months old as I am one of the unlucky ones who put on weight when BFing.

I am now no longer breastfeeding and am dieting - have been dieting for 3 months now and still have another stone to go.