Should I be concerned with no weight gain?

[AELLE7]

Hi, I'm currently 18 weeks and 3 days. Before pregnancy I was overweight, and pushing to 14 stone (I'm 5'7) with a bmi of 31. I just weighed myself and from my first booking appointment at 7 weeks, I have gained hardly any weight (I can't be exactly sure as I obviously have different scales at home but if I have gained it's no more than a pound or 2). I didn't have much sickness 1st tri but I did suffer with bloatedness and a complete loss of appetite for a month or so but that's gone now. I do feel like I have a bump, maybe it's not as defined because I did have a chubby belly before but to me I feel like I have put on loads of weight on my belly area (I am in maternity jeans!) I have new stretch marks around my belly and everything. I'm just really scared that my body isn't doing what it is supposed to do. I've had two scans and each have put baby slightly ahead in gestational age so I think baby is growing and my midwife checked uterus is where it should be and I often feel movement.

I know everyone is different but this is my first baby and I just don't know what I should or should not be really concerned about? Any one else in the same boat?

Speak to your midwife - they should be able to put your mind at rest.

In my very limited experience 18 weeks is still quite early for significant weight gain - especially if youve had nausea or loss of appetite in the first trimester. Even with no sickness I hadn't put on much by 20 weeks. Maybe half a stone? I think with a high BMI it can also be quite common to maintain rather than put on weight. As long as you're eating enough now, and healthy foods and the scans show the baby is growing well don't worry!

I am 35 weeks and have only gained 9lbs, starting weight was 7st 12lbs and my bmi was 20.8 ...midwife isnt concerned one bit? Hope that eases your mind x

It's probably fine. Most weight gain happens in the last half / third trimester. Unless your midwife is worried at your next appointment it's unlikely to be a cause for concern. My personal experience is very little weight gain until around 18 weeks and majority happened after 30. Gained 20 pounds in total.

Nope. I lost weight in the first trimester due to being totally off food due to nausea. I had a high BMI so it was just as well really. Said baby is now three.

I weighed less at 9 months than when I started which made me realise how many calories were in wine

no weight gain is only a concern when you started out underweight. you are just going to be one of the lucky ones who leaves the maternity ward in pre pregnancy clothes!

Thank you all for your responses! I will most definitely ask my midwife at my next appointment but I will try to relax a bit more. This being my first, I just feel totally overwhelmed with what's normal or not so Mumsnet has been such a source of relief

I got weighed at my 31 week check which was the first time since my booking appointment and I’d only gained 2kg. Measurements are all ok though and my midwife didn’t seem concerned.

I barely put on any weight in my last pregnancy until my bump was massive and even then I lost it everywhere but my bump! It's not a bad thing you aren't gaining!

I also ended up weighing less at nine months pregnant than when I conceived. And the baby was perfectly healthy and over 9lbs. I didn't diet at all. My body just suited pregnancy. It happened second time round too.

I'm nearly 12 weeks now and I've actually lost half a stone 😳 midwife said I'm doing fine although I am massively bloated and look like I'm having triplets. Maybe get checked out if you're worried but I know a few friends who lost weight/didn't put on much weight until baby was fairly grown!

For bigger ladies (I am one too, size 16) you are supposed to gain the weight of the baby. I lost weight in the first trimester because of sickness, and then gained 2-3 kg overall, and all was well! So don't worry. Some women will gain more, but that depends on the starting weight.

@Frombothsidesnow oh I'm glad to here this! I'm pregnant again and hoping it happens again this pregnancy. I was skinnier after I had her than I had been in years, had a MC and let myself go comfort eating. Hoping to be the same with this pregnancy but not comfort eat afterwards!

Dwangela, the only time it didn't happen was the last time, when I'd lost quite a bit of weight. That time I put on about a stone in total, of which 9lbs was the baby!

I'm now 36 weeks and have only put on 3kg same thing happened in last pregnancy and midwife never questioned it.

I was in a very physical job when pregnant and didn't gain much weight at all until I went on maternity leave and sat down! I had a very definite bump but hardly much change on the scales. My midwife wasn't bothered at all, in fact she said she was happy to see someone who was fit, active and strong as it would make labour easier!
I'm sure your MW will put your mind at rest.

I am 17+4 weeks pregnant and have lost a couple of pounds since finding out i was pregnant. Conaultant said they didn't want me gaining any weight but don't want me losing it either. With my daughter i lost about 2 and a half stone whilst pregnant from sickness and eating better. I wouldn't worry too much about it but mention it to your midwife at next appointment. They may do growth scans as time goes on x