Overweight and pregnant

[Memsahib]

Just found out I am expecting and am a hefty size 20 and 15 stone - about 4 stone overweight.
Not sure whether I should be dieting or just trying to stay the same size...

any suggestions?

Congratulations! Not sure if I can help and am no expert, however if it were me I would try to "diet", meaning smaller portions, eat more healthily and/or perhaps not mix protein and carborhydrate for evening meals. I seem to remember reading somewhere think it may be Mumsnet that you can follow Slimming World or WeightWatchers (one of them) when pregnant, again I may be wrong. All the best.

I'm about the same size and haven't been "dieting" (nor have I been told to diet by any health professionals) but I have been trying to be mindful of healthy choices etc.

I was the same size carrying both of mine and apart from being pushed to have a GTT test they never commented on my weight

At my heaviest pre-pregnancy I was a size 16. Usually between a 14 and 16. Since becoming pregnant I have been really cautious of eating stuff I shouldn't to do the best for my baby. My diet has improved greatly, I now eat more veg and home cooked meals than the crap ready meals I lived on before. I'm now 31+5 and I weigh 3kg less than I did at the start of my pregnancy. I spoke to my midwife about this this morning and she wasn't concerned. She said as long as I'm eating well then there is nothing to worry about.

Do not aim to diet now. Now is not the time to be taking in less than the recommended daily allowances of food/calories/nutrients but do aim to feed you are your baby good calories. You may (like me) find that you lose weight anyway but as long as you discuss any concerns with your midwife you will remain healthy for the two of you.

Good luck and don't try to worry yourself about it too much.

Im bigger than that but its not for what I eat as much as that sounds an excuse. I am just trying to make sure I eat more fruit, and drink plenty of water. You are going to gain weight its inevitable, just make sure you don't fall into the "eating for two" trap.

All good advice already. Two of my three pregnancy's I have been a size 20. During the last one I ate really sensibly because of borderline GD and as a result, lost weight whilst pregnant (wasn't the aim but was a welcome side effect).

I'm now following the Paul McKenna eating system - it might be worth a look for you as it's not a diet as such, just a way to change bad eating patterns. Support thread here.

Congrats on the baby btw.

thanks ladies - new to the whole MN thing and appreciate the swift advice. will check out Paul mckenna and weightwatchers.

I should mention it's not inevitable you'll gain wait - I ate whatever I wanted (including absolutely ridiculous quantities of orange squash which I desired above everything else) but found that for the first time ever in my life I actually didn't feel a need for much food (except for aforementioned orange squash) - I wasn't feeling sick, I just suddenly didn't feel any urge to eat anything. This lasted for the first 3/4 of the pregnancy.

I stayed exactly the same weight (100KG) until the last few weeks when I put on 8kg (which was gone and I was back to 100kg when I got home from hospital)

erghgh Weight! I mean WEIGHT

I'm bigger than you and pregnant.

I've lost quite a bit of weight though as it is the perfect reason to stop eating/drinking crap and start a healthy diet.

People use being pregnant as the reason to stop smoking, so it can also be the reason to chuck out the chips so to speak.

I'm lucky as despite my size (and age) I've got perfectly normal blood pressure. Added weight can cause a big rise, which might be dangerous, especially when pregnant.

Congratulations and good luck.

I asked my midwife to send me to the dietitian and she gave me guidlines to make sure I am eating enough for me and the baby but not too much that I pile on the weight x

I was a size 20 when PG too. Didn't actually put much weight on. Was lucky that my cravings were fruit and iced water.

I did find I was thinking about what I ate in a "will it be good for the baby" way so chose more healthy options a lot of the time.

Memsahib - I'm a size 18/20, 5.3", 33yo and TTC #1 (in fact I'm trying right now not to obsess about every sensation before the date I can take a preg test!).

I'm really worried about being 13 stone, which makes me about as overweigh as you (according to the charts) and I fear a humiliation when I go to the Dr/Midwife where they'll make horrid accusations about my weight/tell me I'm already harming my unborn child or similar silliness!

Reading a few of these discussions (I'm new to MN so hoovering the type of the screen) has helped, I've realised that as I have low/average blood pressure I shouldn't be too concerned but I share your query about whether to diet or not. Right now I'm doing Weightwatchers but it's not having much effect (their new diet has many members winging on their discussion boards) but I figure being conscious of what I'm eating is better than not.

I'm hopeful I'll be one of the MNs that doesn't gain any weight .

I'll check back on your thread as I'd love to hear from others too.

I did write an long post but MN ate it!!

I was 19st size 22 when I found out I was pregnant and expected to be stoned but all the MW ect but I found all the people where all really good and friendly so not like I expected at all.

I found that I have lost 4 stone 23 weeks in because I have gone off everything bad for me and lots of sickness but feeling better than ever! As others have said I find that its excatly what I needed to do what I know was right and wrong all along anyway

Good luck all and I will check back as be nice to see everyones progress

Hi all, I am currently 36 weeks pg and am normally a size 20.

I have gained only 2-3kg and according to my recent growth scan the baby weighs 3kg so I have not gained / possibly lost a bit of weight.

Apart from having the GTT test to rule out gestational diabetes (all fine) and a growth scan at 34 weeks noone has really mentioned my weight.

Certainly noone has said to "diet" and as I normally eat a good diet (just too much ) the baby is getting everything it needs.

This is my 2nd DC and I was a size 16/18 when I had my first - I gained quite a bit then (and never lost it) but DS weighed a pretty normal 7lbs 14oz.

with my ds i started at 16 1/2 st and went up to 19st. No complications, I was HUGE though . As soon as he was born I was right back down to 16st (immediately)

A lot of my weight gain was alcohol and takeaway related which was easy to get rid of.
I wouldn't recommend doing anything drastic, the MVs will keep an eye on you.

About to ttc and weigh 17st now. Was nearly 18st but at Slimming World to get it down a bit. I do know that MVs support SW in that there is a plan for pregnant ladies to follow, I didn't think WW did this??

It is less about weight, and more about general health I think, because although I am heavy, I am strong and generally healthy.

In my area if you have a BMI of more than 35 they will give you some advice on how to lose/maintain your weight in pregnancy. You could always make an appointment with your GP/ask to see a midwife early if you are concerned. I'm sure you'll be fine though. Congrats.

thanks ladies! I am seeing the gp on Wednesday, and he is an utter sweetie and has been massively supportive over the past few years.
Cowboy lover - did you say you've lost FOUR STONE?????? bloody hell!
Lubberly - I hear you loud and clear. I'm a bit concerned about a general bollocking from MWs.
We thought we'd try without the clomid (which had been suggested by my gynae due to my knackered ovaries) for 3 months, giving me the chance to shift a couple of stone... and bugger me we get preg first month trying. Know its early days (about 5-6 weeks) but just want to do the right thing!
Any thoughts on exercise? I read that swimming was a no no due to the chlorine???

Memsahib I go swimming quite often and so do quite a few people on my antenatal thread so I think it's fine. At least I have reached this stage and not encountered any problems!

Walking is also good - I don't think you are supposed to start anything new to you without consulting your doctor first though.

Swimming fine as far as I know - in fact I think it's supposed to be good as it's low impact. I've been going once or twice a week and just started pregnancy pilates, and aqua aerobics, which are both great.

I am a bit overweight too, at 13.7 at beg of pregnancy. Wish I could say I've lost but no, I've put on 11lb, now at 22 weeks. My midwife made an appt for me with obstetrician because of my bmi, but obst said I was fine and mw had just been being over-precautious and as long as I eat healthily all will be fine.

Enjoy your pregnancy!

Yes 4 but I was REALLY sick!

My appetite has totally changed and my MW is really supportive and I hope you find the same.

Swimming is fine and encouraged but as someone mentioned its not good to start something new without Docs advise but take your time and you will know whats right for you.

Let us know how you get on Wednesday x

Im also morbidly obese, currently i weigh 18 stone and am wearing size 22/24/26 depending on what and where bought. Im 24 weeks pregnant and have actually lost 4 stone too.

My BMI has reduced by 14% since i found out i was pregnant which is a good thing.

I havent tried to diet. INfact my craving is for vinegar with fish or chips!!!!!! BUT i am trying to eat healthily, lots of salads (can add balsamic vinegar to help with craving!) and lots of fruit juice and fruit.