Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Worried about weight gain

20 replies

dancinglorna1984 · 21/02/2015 13:04

Hello, I am 17+2 and have just been sobbing after getting on the scales. Since my booking appointment at 7/8 weeks I have put on half a stone. I had an issue with my weight before I got pregnant as I was overweight and the thought of putting on more weight just makes me feel really depressed. What worries me is I still have 23 weeks to go and can't/don't want to end up massively overweight. I could just sit here and cry all day. I haven't even been eating that much which is what is more annoying

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

hippymama1 · 21/02/2015 14:34

Sorry to see that you are feeling so bad Dancing...

I felt very similar to you and still worry about weight gain (21+1) as I am currently in my husband's trousers! I have decided though just not to get on the scales until after the baby is here - maybe that would help you?

I had a hideous first trimester and the only things I could eat were white bread and butter, crisps etc - not exactly a diet good for the waistline! I am sure I have gained about a stone already - probably more.

The way I look at it, there is nothing I can do about the weight gain while I am pregnant - I need to eat well and healthily to feed my growing baby and make him big and strong. I can always diet after he is here so there is really no point at all in even checking my weight until after his arrival. Join me in the rebellion and ditch the scales!

Also, I don't know about you but my boobs are massive now - they have to be at least an extra lb each! And that's not even starting on the weight of the baby, the amniotic fluid, the cord, the placenta - I accept that I will need to lose some weight after the baby is born but I am doing all of this for him, not me. Plus, pregnant ladies need cake. It's the rules. Feel better - I am sure you look fabulous xx

seaoflove · 21/02/2015 14:38

It's difficult. I put on loads of weight in my first pregnancy (3+ stone) but all but a stone of it was gone within a couple of weeks of birth. Never quite managed to shift the last half stone, mind.

I'm now pregnant for the second time and am refusing to weigh myself because I know I'll be upset by it. I'm just one of these people who gets enormous, and I'm virtually housebound with SPD at 27 weeks so I'm barely moving around and clinging onto every calorie I consume. I'm also really hungry!

I'm just trying to be philosophical about it. My body is growing a good sized baby and I will lose the weight eventually.

sianihedgehog · 21/02/2015 14:54

Half a stone is not bad! I think you're actually pretty much bang on schedule for weight gain with that. I'm only 16 weeks and I've put on a whole stone since summer.

I know what you mean though, I'm finding the whole process of getting bigger a lot more traumatic than I expected to, I've always been pretty obsessive about my weight and kept it on a tight rein. But since being pregnant I feel really SICK if I get hungry. I just can't do it. I have heard a lot of people say not to worry too much, but it's really difficult. I'm limiting myself to weighing myself once a week and trying not to guilt myself about it all, but it is really hard as all my clothes get too tight.

I've found it has helped me to go straight to buying maternity clothes rather than just getting bigger sizes is helping me feel better. Buying bigger sizes is just depressing, and the bigger sizes end up looking really unflattering. even though the maternity stuff is still too baggy around the bump, it's at least better than being baggy everywhere except the belly!

Original poster

dancinglorna1984 · 21/02/2015 15:17

Thank you all, I actually just said to my husband that he needs to confiscate the scales so I don't get more obsessed with my weight. To be honest it probably didn't help that I have had non stop nausea and some sickness for about 6 weeks now so I relied a lot on bread to eat and sucking on boiled sweets. Anyway like you have pointed out the main thing is making sure our baby is healthy Do any of you do much exercise to balance out the weight gain or does that not really work?

OP posts:

NickyEds · 21/02/2015 15:33

With my first pregnancy I lost weight, well "me" weight IYSWIM, I weighed less at 3 weeks port partum than I did before I was pregnant. I put a lot of that down to no morning sickness, no eating for two and loads of exercise. Nothing strenuous but loads of walking and, of course cutting out wine. I swear I looked far slimmer at 7 months then than I do at 20 weeks now. This time I had morning sickness for 2 months and all that made me feel better was white bread and pasta. I'm knackered with ds (14 months) and just don't have the energy to walk 10 miles a day like i did. It does upset me because I carried ds so well and I think I'm going to be truly massive by the time I deliver. Try not to get too worried. I'm seeing it as something I'll have to sort out after the baby's born

hippymama1 · 21/02/2015 15:37

I exercise the same as I did before I got pregnant but I was already pretty fit so the doctor and midwife said that is fine to carry on. I'm slowing down gradually though as I get further along! I think the advice is that if you did exercise before then you can continue, if you didn't then start slowly, speak to your doctor and midwife for advice and don't work so hard that you can't speak easily and have a conversation whole working out. I was also told to be very careful of my back - no sit ups or twisty actions. Hope this helps!

gallicgirl · 21/02/2015 15:43

I think the "recommended" weight gain depends on your BMI at point of becoming pregnant.

I seem to recall the average is around 2 stones over the course of the pregnancy. If you're overweight to start with, then a stone is more appropriate.

Please discuss with your midwife if you're concerned and remember that you need to eat as healthily as possible. I know that's impossible when morning sickness is bad but the relief when you can start eating a normal range of food again is enormous!

boatrace30 · 21/02/2015 15:50

I've also worried about this. My weight gain sounds similar to yours. I've now put on just over a stone (16lbs) at 25 weeks. I also had to eat in the 1st trimester to avoid sickness and it was generally carbs! Now the weight piling on is all baby I think. I think it is worth remembering that people grow at different rates. I had a real "growth spurt" around 20 weeks, then put on no weight at all for three and now the bump is growing again. I was worried, but have decided that there isn't much point. I just try to avoid eating crazy amounts. Not helpful though in an office when people always say I should have the last cake or whatever because I am "eating for two!"

Naty1 · 21/02/2015 18:48

Ive put on 7lb up to 17w. Not sure in last couple. I was surprised too.
The baby is 50% for most things and 90% tummy, so thats where its gone.

sianihedgehog · 21/02/2015 19:45

I've been TRYING to exercise, but I've got rhinitis, spectacular exhaustion, and shortness of breath so it's really not working. I feel like I am going to vomit and suffocate every time I cycle to work.

AnythingNotEverything · 21/02/2015 19:51

I had a minor flip out when I realised I'd but on 12lbs at 20 weeks, but then I read that expected weight gains is 5lb in the first trimester and a lb a week from then on.

You're bang on track! Try remember it's not fat like you used to know it. You've gained boobs (I'm up 2 cup sizes), you've got all that extra blood going around, plus you're storing up reserves to provide milk for the baby. On top of that you're tired from growing a baby, being uncomfortable in bed, constant weeing, and that low level anxiety about whether you're eating well enough or making the right pram choice etc. Give yourself a break!

scatterbrainedlass · 22/02/2015 09:21

Lorna, that sounds about normal. I'm fit and healthy and have been a steady weight for the past 4 years. I've been a bit concerned about the whole weight gain/not being able to lose it again as my mum struggled after #3 and never lost it, now has issues with high blood pressure and cholesterol. 2 stone over the course of pregnancy is normal, but that seems like a humongous amount for me!! I think as long as you know what is normal for the stage you're at, and your midwife should be able to help you, then don't worry too much.

pinkie87 · 22/02/2015 10:30

I'm freaking out a bit too. I'm only 13 weeks but have put on about 8lbs already. It's entirely my fault as I started eating the wrong things to stop the nausea, and since the nausea stopped haven't curbed my bad habits. I'm not going to weigh myself anymore but I'm going to start gentle exercise from now and cut out the junk food as I no longer have nausea and totally don't need it.

Just before I got pregnant I'd lost a stone and a half on slimming world so really don't want to pile it all back on again! :(

lookingforanswers123 · 22/02/2015 12:47

I'm the same. I was doing the 5:2 diet (really works BTW) and I lost 34lb since end of April 2014 and the thought of getting fat is freaking me out. I keep saying "but I dont wanna be fat" I'm only 5weeks 4 days and haven't told anyone (beside my partner) yet and so I'm convinced I've like doubled in size and everyone thinks I'm fat.

SueV14 · 22/02/2015 12:54

Hi OP, hi ladies

I have always been relatively slim (not skinny though!) with BMI at around 19.5. I was told not to do my usual yoga/pilates before 12 weeks, so only went for daily brisk walks. Didn't gain any weight whatsoever in the first trimester (no morning sickness) while was eating normally. Then, all of a sudden gained 3.5 kg within 4 weeks!! I'm 17 weeks today and wondering what my weight is going to be at the end of pregnancy if it goes on with this speed?! I have to admit I allowed myself a magnum ice-cream in the evening a couple of times and maybe snacking on fruit and nuts a bit more during the day, but otherwise keeping an eye on my nutrition.

My legs and bum are getting thicker and the waistline starts to varnish... Not easy to cope with these changes even though my brain tells me it's natural in pregnancy..

hippymama1 · 22/02/2015 13:13

It's probably worth us all bearing in mind that one of the symptoms of pregnancy is weight gain and a slowing down of metabolism... Even if we ate and exercised exactly the same as we did pre pregnancy we would still gain weight - it's natural. There will be plenty of time to lose weight when our babies are here... I'm trying to be positive about my post pregnancy body... It's really difficult!

Original poster

dancinglorna1984 · 22/02/2015 13:42

Thank you all . I am just trying to stop stressing about it now and just cherish the fact that I have a little person growing inside me. Will try not to indulge in too much though

OP posts:

SueV14 · 22/02/2015 16:40

Yes, cake is the deadliest one... Goes directly into the fat stores! When I'm craving desert I go for this one, just around 150 kcal and very tasty: www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/desserts/sainsburys-chocolate-muffin-dessert--be-good-to-yourself-100g

Treesandbees · 23/02/2015 09:58

Dancing I can really sympathise! I was a size 8 when I got pg with DS and put on 3.5 stone! It was quite steady weight gain but just kept going! I did loose 3 stone within 9 months and that was without breastfeeding (sure that helped a lot of my friends). I'm pregnant again and the weight is piling on again despite exercising more and trying to be more sensible with food. I think sometimes it's just genetics! Pregnancy is a weird experience as you feel out of control of your body but like you say just focus on the miracle that is happening! If you can swim/substitute naughty snacks for good ones then try and do that. Good luck!

worksallhours · 23/02/2015 13:34

Dancing ... in my last pregnancy, I put on about 21lbs by week 23 and my waist had increased by ten inches!

Turned out I had a six centimetre fibroid, and it was making me look as though I was carrying twins: one at 12 weeks (the evil fibroid) and one at 23 weeks (actual baby).

I am now 5+4 in a new pregnancy and I have put on 4lbs in the last week alone. I have been monitoring my dietary intake religiously (I am on a special "don't feed the fibroid" diet) and there is no way that my food intake has caused the weight gain.

Everyone is different and pregnancy, in my experience, can change the way your body works completely. The old rules of what controls weight loss or gain for you just go out of the window.

Flip