Is it possible/safe to lose weight during pregnancy?

[SloanePeterson]

I'll be blunt here and say I really don't want posts saying I'm selfish/not thinking of my baby. I'm really not talking about a crash/starvation diet.
I'm 9 weeks and I'm starting is pregnancy at the weight I was when I came home from hospital with my youngest. I did lose all the baby weight but over the last year I've put about 1.5 stone back on, when I had actually reached my ideal weight. I suppose I took my eye off the ball and stopped weighing myself so it's come as a bit of a shock, though entirely my own fault. I'm really not comfortable at all at this weight, it's taken me into the overweight BMI and I'd like to try and lose a little. I'm feeling physically fine apart from some faintness due to low blood pressure. In this instance is it even possible to lose weight? I'm thinking of adding in an exercise DVD every day or so and cutting out the crap from my diet. My worry is partly that in my first two pregnancies I put on an awful lot of weight and I swear it contributed to my pnd afterwards. In my third I managed my weight a lot better, but started two stone lighter than I am now. Any advice?

I have to say I don't think it is generally advised. That said, if you feel it could have a real impact on the health of your pregnancy, mental or physical, I would discuss it with your mw. I believe there are certain programmes that are considered safe in pregnancy (I think Slimming World is) but I would consult your HCPs about what they recommend. RE exercise, I think standard advice is to not start new exercise but it's ok to keep up with whatever you were doing pre-pregnancy, within reason obviously!

So basically, my very useful advice is... I'm sure it can be done, but I would get together with your MW and/or GP and work out a plan that they approve of. Good luck with your pg either way, congratulations!

I have heard slimming world is the only method approved by Drs in the UK (I guess because it is a plan where you eat a LOT, just a lot of veggies, natural carbs and lean meat! So the embryo gets plenty of nutrients).
However (as I guess everyone will say), speak to a professional (GP or MW) before embarking on it.

Definitely get professional advice but I'm almost certain that you could follow the low GI diet / gestational diabetes diet, even loosely once you are in the overweight category.
The main thing would be to ensure you're not restricting calories but that you're not eating sugary foods - chocolate, biscuits, white bread etc. maybe not eliminate completely but cut right back.
I think you should focus on gaining less than you would if you were slimmer, rather than losing weight.

Exercise is very important too. Are you fit? Walk everyday, you'll find that it is great for not just the weight but blood pressure and your mood too.

I began this pregnancy overweight and have done all of the above, I feel and look better than I did pre pregnancy.

Agree with foodie and squizita. I always use slimming world to get my weight back down after having babies, it's really good because the amount you eat is not restricted ie you can eat loads of meat, fish ,potatoes, pasta, rice fruit and veg. Obviously the naughty things are restricted but you can still eat chocolate every day if you want to and lose weight (my kind of diet )
You need permission from your midwife to do it while pregnant but IME they are happy to give it. I tried to do it with one of my pregnancies but I didn't have the willpower!

Hi OP,
I totally understand your situation. I'm expecting DC3 and began this pregnancy 7lb over the max healthy weight for my height, my BMI was 26.2 I think.

I got my maternity pack from NHS West Suffolk Hospital (Bury St Edmunds) recently and it had a leaflet on this subject. It recommends you follow a healthy diet with lots of fruit & veg, cut the junk food & caffeine, 30 min exercise daily, preferably exercise your body is used to, swimming & walking are strongly recommended. My opinion is that following the above methods you can safely simply not gain any weight. So instead of gaining for example 20lb this pregnancy, you are at your start weight on the day you deliver your baby.

Lastly, you may be interested to check the following website: www.babycentre.co.uk there are several articles which may be of use to you such as 'is it safe to diet?' and 'your ideal weight in pregnancy' etc.

Good luck x

Hey!!

I agree with all other posters, I'm not a doc, so don't just take our word for it, BUT, now is the time to get your 5 a day, walk a little bit more than you would normally, and cut out sugar, cakes, biscuits. It's not a diet as such, just a healthy way for a mom to be to eat!

I do some very gentle yoga,but it won't help weight control, it just stretches out my back. Perhaps you could try that too? It's suitable for first trimester, I found it on youtube!

Rather than think of trying to loose weight, just see if you can control it! Could you use the internet together some sample weight watcher menus? I don't think you are being selfish at all- you are being very sensible! X

**damn auto correct! I meant use the internet to gather some....

Snowrose Babycentre has some good info but can also be a little scaremongery and out of date with some warnings. I would always go with the NHS or a real midwife!

Squizita - Oh dear, I didn't know that! Can you pls say what advice / warnings are out of date? Thx

Just cut out sugar and foods that come ready to eat in a packet (overly processed), apart from maybe bread. Cook from scratch.

I say 'just', but it's not easy. It's a simple rule to follow though, and will cut out anything that would normally be likely to contribute to weight gain. No chocolate, cake, booze (anyway), biscuits, crisps, cereals with added sugar, icecream etc. I use that rule to lose weight when I'm not pregnant, and it works without restricting the actual nutrients you get from the food you can eat. When you see what has added sugar in it, it's a bit of a wake up call - ham for example, bacon, SO many savoury table sauces.

Hard work initially, but worth it I think.

Snow they have a variety of authors, so when I have compared it with the NHS you find some older articles haven't been taken down (e.g. never eat cooked seafood or peanuts) for a while after the NHS/Mumsnet seem to be saying it's OK.

Also one of their articles suggested lying down on your right hand side at all was dangerous: whilst lying on your left hand side is the best position to sleep in after 28 weeks, it's generally agreed that either side is OK.
Then somewhere else on the same site, there's something that says it's OK...