Weight gain / GD

[teaping]

I am 23 weeks and am horrified to say I’ve gained 13lbs so far. I’m trying to eat well, and generally eat all home cooked / fresh stuff, though I Prob got in the habit of eating more carbs than usual in the early weeks to help with Mum aides and recently have probably had the odd kit kat I shouldn’t have done, so I’m cutting those things out immediately. I’ve already cut down the carbs in the last couple of weeks but my weight is still increasing.

My bmi was 27 to start with so I was already overweight, and I’ve therefore gained more weight than I should have at this point. The online calculator says I’m 1lb over the upper recommended amount.

I’m petrified I’m going to get GD and harm my baby. What can I do to stop it? Should I join slimming world to try and lose weight safely while pregnant? Eeeeeeeek!

I'm in a very similar position and extremely anxious about GD too. From what I know about GD though (I went to a workshop at my hospital) diet rather than weight is the driving factor. So ensuring you eat a balanced diet low in sugar is the key.

I was so panicked about it all. I have a history of yoyo dieting and I knew as soon as I started eating normally, regardless of how healthy I was, that my weight would shoot up. I explained these fears and the women taking the workshop reassured me that whilst they keep an eye on weight the driver is the diet.

Can you have a chat with your midwife about your fears. She may be able to give you all the leaflets you need to arm you with info and reduce your anxiety.

You've gained 1lb more than the upper guide and you're "horrified"? Stop those nonsense thoughts immediately! You're growing an entire human being and your weight is bound to go up. You're on course for perfectly healthy weight gain overall, stop being so hard on yourself!

If you're concerned about GD you might be able to have a check up earlier, but if you've already reduced your sugar intake you're doing all the right things. Try not to worry. Enjoy your pregnancy .

I have read an article by specialist saying that what you eat during pregnancy does not influence your chances of developing GD one way or the other. There was a recent thread where that seemed to be the consensus. I am a bit confused to be honest.

There are a few threads explaining GD if you have a browse. Let's say you and I eat the exact same diet but only one of us gets GD, that is because GD is a pregnancy hormone vs insulin production issue that not every pregnant woman encounters.

Now let's say you and I have GD and eat the exact same diet except I manage through low GI diet but you need medication to manage it, that is because our body's are reacting to the condition differently.

If you are worried about weight gain then try a little gentle exercise and choose the right slow release carbs etc but you may have water weight too and it does not seem you are doing badly re weight IMO.

If GD is going to happen then it will happen regardless of what you eat so only testing will tell you.

Oh my, it sounds like I was given a lot of wrong information in the workshop I attended based on some of these responses.

Thanks ladies. I’d better do some more reading.

@EastDulwichWife thank you. Maybe I am worrying a bit too much but 13 lbs seems like one hell of a lot for someone who is already a bit tubby! I have noticed commuting into london with my heavy laptop in a backback etc is a lot harder work than usual and I guess that’s because I’m carting extra flubber around!

@AKP79 good luck with everything. Hopefully we will both escape GD free.

I am soooo grateful to be pregnant, but I have to admit I’m looking forward to the baby arriving. I know I’ll have another set of worries then (and forevermore!) but this has been the most worrying time of my life!

Personally I wouldn't worry too much as long as you're eating a balanced diet. A treat here and there won't be the end of the world. We're growing babies... We're not on a diet ... 27 bmi isn't too much.... Just be aware of sweet treats daily... Or too much of them but aside that I think how much you put on Aldo greatly depends on your metabolism and your genes as well as your diet and exercise.. I put 5 stones on with both DDs and no GD. Exercised and ate healthily after and lost the weight. For me I put weight on so quickly when pregnant and I'm not eating more than normal... I'm 18 weeks and already gained 13 lbs but I'm not worried... I've been eating really healthily with the occasional take away and sweet treat...