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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Whats the optimal weight gain in pregnancy?

20 replies

user1470147116 · 05/02/2018 10:00

40 years old.

BMI is 22 (healthy range)

5 foot 3 inches (160 cm)

Pre pregnancy weight 8 stone 10 lbs (56 kg)

What would be the right amount of weight gain?

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scaredofthecity · 05/02/2018 10:07

I think about 2-2.5 stone is normal but i wouldn't stress about it too much as much of it is out of your control.
Some people are constantly sick and barely put on anything, others hold onto lots of water and swell up and can put on much more and then pee it all out when the baby comes!
I put on about 3 stone as I was immobile for a vast chunk of my pregnancy, it did come off again fairly easily.
I wouldn't worry about it though, if you try to control it too much your fighting against your bodies natural biology as you naturally put on more fat stores in preparation for breastfeeding.

Celticlassie · 05/02/2018 10:09

About 2 stone I think. I put on just less than that but baby was early.

InternationalHouseofToast · 05/02/2018 10:12

I'd heard 2 stone as well - it includes the fat reserves you're meant to put on, plus baby plus amniotic fluid. So long as you're not "eating for two" - from memory the additional calories you need when pregnant are the equivalent on one small yoghurt a day.

I put on 2 stone last pregnancy but struggle to put on weight generally.

Olgathebrickshed · 05/02/2018 10:16

I think it varies. I am 5 foot and was 7 stone each time I became pregnant (BMI around 19, so just within ok). I was well over 10 stone by the end of all of them, so gained over 3 stone each time - but I had massive (10lb plus) babies, which may (or may not) have made a difference? Also had hideous water retention - my legs swelled up so much that they looked like my Gran's, and I had to wear flip-flops because my feet were so massive that I couldn't fit into any of my shoes...

Thecaravan · 05/02/2018 12:01

I put on over 15kg when pregnant despite eating healthily and exercising all the way through. I'm based overseas so was weighed every month and continually told I'd put on far too much weight and that I should cut out carbs etc etc even though I was doing the best I could. Had the baby and lost 12kg in the first week and the rest disappeared over the next couple of weeks (mum tum very much still there ). I'd say don't worry too much as sometimes you just can't control it!

MegEmski · 05/02/2018 12:13

hahahahahaha

I'm 22 weeks and already put on 1.5 stone

I'm definitely going over the 2 stone ideal!

Whoops.

zaalitje · 05/02/2018 14:29

These threads always make me feel bad, I'd put on 5kg by 13 weeks. Felt too revolted to weigh myself since.
But I took steroids to support the pregnancy which cause weight gain, had awful 24/7 nausea and heartburn which would only subside if I ate nd the only things I could stomach were beige (bread & butter, pastry, potatoes) carbs and chocolate and chocolate milkshake. At 23 weeks im just starting to be able to eat healthy fresh food, although not really desiring them very much.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 05/02/2018 14:35

It totally depends. I have put on about 24ish lbs (10 kg/ just under 2 stone) with a twin pregnancy, now 33w. So not that much.

HOWEVER last time with DD I put only on about 1.5 stone to then GAIN weight afterwards whilst bfing as I was depressed and comfort ate plus my whole metabolism seemed to go weird.

I think just eat what you want within reason, try to keep it pretty healthy, and what will be will be.

Ekphrasis · 05/02/2018 14:59

Following as you've basically described me before preg except I think I was 8.8. I'm now 10.4 at 26 weeks 😬 and feeling guilty.

My legs and feet are really protesting!

Ekphrasis · 05/02/2018 15:02

I know by 6 months post partum I was struggling to keep weight in though.

It's just the difficulty of the extra weight at the mo I'm struggling with!

Original poster

user1470147116 · 07/02/2018 09:48

Now 24 weeks and have put on a total of 1.5 stone (9 kilos)...

OP posts:

Clevs · 10/02/2018 21:44

I was weighed at my 31 week appointment and had only put on 2kg since my booking appointment. I don’t feel like I’ve put weight on anywhere and people keep telling me
I look the same except for my bump. My fundal height is spot on and I had a scan this week (34 weeks) for a placenta check and measurements were taken and all was fine. Guess I’m just lucky!

LaBelleSausage · 10/02/2018 21:48

Oh dear. I gained 4 stone while pregnant. DS is now 2 months old and I’ve still got a stone to lose - although I’ve gone up 5 cup sizes so potentially that may have something to do with it!
I had an excess of fluid, and a placenta so large that they called people in to look at it, so I put at least some of it down to that.

beansbananas · 10/02/2018 21:59

I put on over 3 stone as had terrible sickness and heart burn from the second I conceived, and the only thing which helped relieve it, was eating. But I also lost over 2 stone in the first 2 weeks after giving birth. The final stone took a bit longer to shift as I was breastfeeding feeding and eating more than I should to survive the sleepless nights. But it was pretty much gone by 4/5 months. However i still have a tummy and am flabbier and can't fit in lots of my old clothes sadly... I'm pretty sure the recommended weight gain is 1.5-2.5 stone, but everyone responds differently to pregnancy and the associated hormones.

PandaCat · 11/02/2018 08:37

I'm 36+5, I was weighed at my last midwife appointment on the Wednesday just gone... I've gained 10kg, midwife seemed happy with that!

My bmi was 23 at my booking in appointment.

Cookie1831 · 11/02/2018 09:13

I put on 3 with my first 2.5 stone with my second, currently 21 weeks and gained just under a stone so far, I wouldn’t worry too much it does come off afterwards and to be honest this is the last time in my life I can eat whatever he Hell I want so I am enjoying it (life long dieter!)

MirandaWest · 11/02/2018 09:16

I was about 8.5 stone when I got pregnant with each of my children. Am 5 foot 4 so similar to you. Put on about 4.5 stone with each of them. Lost it all and more after DS within about a year as I had done by the time I got pregnant with DD when he was 13 months. Took a little longer with DD.

I think it’s a very individual thing - different people put on different amounts of weight.

newmum7369 · 11/02/2018 09:32

Depends on your starting weight/BMI but I think it's about 2 stone on average. I put on way more though, I'd lost 1.5 stone 2 weeks after DS was born which left me with maximum 2.5 to loose. I guess the 1.5 was baby, water, placenta etc, so 2.5 of 'real' weight. I've been doing SW for 7 weeks and have lost 1.5 stone (started when DS was nearly 5 months).

I think it's come off quickly because it went on quickly and wasn't on for long. I stopped breastfeeding at 4 months if that makes any difference. I've got a hen weekend at the end of April and planning to have lost it all by then.

Honestly, don't stress too much. I know that's easier said than done because I stressed about it loads, but when you're feeling rubbish, tired and enormous there's nothing quite like loafing around in front of the telly with a bar of chocolate!

That said I did try to keep fairly active, just walking as and when I could. I'd try to go for a walk each morning but gave up around 25 weeks because I'd just get too tired at work getting up that bit earlier to fit in a walk. Don't know if it made any difference but there we are.

Newbiebaby1 · 11/02/2018 18:55

I’m 25 weeks and have put on 1.5stone! I was 9.5 stone before I started.

NerNerNerNerBATMAN · 11/02/2018 20:14

I'm 26 weeks and have put on 3 stone

I had a healthy BMI before, but I'm one of the unlucky few with hyperemsis where I have to take loads of drugs so I don't throw up constantly, but am then so nauseous that I have to carb load through it.

I was similar with DC1 and lost it all within 6 months so am trying to stay positive. It is very depressing though and definitely contributing to my low mood.

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