Weight gain concern

[AliceBarefoot]

Hello everyone,

I'm approaching 35 weeks, and since the start of this week, have shot up by 5 lbs. This has alarmed me, because this has tipped me closer towards the top end of the weight gain recommendation for gestation. I've worked so hard throughout this entire pregnancy - walking everywhere, eating right, exercising, still working (I teach dance) and it's as if none of this has made any difference. Which is very depressing.

Has anyone else experienced this? Or is right now? I'm terriffied - I have around 5 more weeks to go. And someone said to me the otherday that you should actually lose some weight in the third trimester?
Mixed messages! Help!

I wouldn't listen to any random persons opinion. Everyone always has something to say about pregnant women's bodies whatever we do.

E.g. I've been told that I should have gone up a dress size because I'm second trimester and filled out more so there's enough for baby (the gain of boobs and a bump and a bit of weight already wasnt good enough for the gossip and left me feeling a bit shit that I was letting baby down for a while).

Unless the advice or expression of concern comes from a medical practitioner then I would ignore it. You've done your best to look after yourself really well. If you're worried you could contact your midwife but remember every pregnancy and every woman is different. You've got this!

I can’t think why anyone should lose weight in the third tri! For a start, the baby itself is getting much heavier in this time period (could be going from something like 2lb to 7lb in the latter half, IIRC). Also in this warmer weather there’s more fluid retention with the swelling in the heat (my legs feels huge compared to my previous pregnancies, where my third tri was in winter).

Most women need a few extra calories in the third tri, in my experience I’ve been a bit more hungry at this time so perhaps they’re connected and may contribute to some gain especially if you’re normally quite controlled.

My final point... I’ve sailed right past the recommended weight gain in all of my pregnancies. No one batted an eyelid. It was fine, and I lost it all eventually after the birth.

I can’t think of any reason to be concerned, it sounds like you’re fit and healthy and eating well and that’s about it. The pregnant body is weird and gets up to all sorts. Unless there is some specific medical concern that I don’t know of that has as a key symptom a sudden weight gain in third tri... but again, never been told to look out for anything like that!

Try not to be terrified but do of course chat to your midwife at your next appointment if you’re really worried. I couldn’t say if I’ve experienced the same as I haven’t weighed myself in months but my hips and thighs are definitely much bigger recently so I’ve gained some extra in the last few weeks or so.

(PS I’m 36 weeks, so a similar gestation to you).

Why do you feel need to be checking your weight?
There will be normal fluctuations throughout pregnancy.
You seem to be causing yourself worry when it sounds like you’re fit and healthy in this pregnancy.

I don’t know where that person got their info from - your baby can only get bigger, so why would you be expected lose weight? Speak to your midwife if you’re concerned but I wouldn’t worry. I gained a lot in the last trimester because I was craving and eating a lot of sugary snacks (cake, cake and more cake!) - things were pretty squashed in my belly and I had horrible heart burn so couldn’t comfortably fit in a full meal in one go. I think it was my body’s way of finding big energy in small portions. A year on I’ve lost all the extra weight.

I'm 31 weeks, past three weeks I've become huge (bump only, everything else is the same) but I've got horrific stretch marks, I walk a lot and eat right (I do allow myself treats of a Friday and Saturday but nothing over the top) and I feel like I have no more room to grow and I can't get much bigger.

I have 9 weeks left and I know I sound ungrateful (trust me I'm not, I had two ivf cycles just to get here) but I feel like I need a break, I don't know why I'm gaining so much and I can't handle the "bloody hell, how long have you got left" style comments

Just need a rant really, really struggling mentally

A few times during pregnancy I have shot up by 4 or 5 pounds in one week. I'm pretty sure it was down to water retention as the following week I usually hadn't gained any more weight or even sometimes had lost a couple of pounds.

I’m 36 weeks today and haven’t weighed myself at all. I figure I’ll deal with the extra weight once baby is here. I eat a good balanced diet with a few treats here and there so I’m not too worried.
Don’t worry too much about how much you have put on, you’re growing a baby!

This all makes a lot of sense...I reeeaallly watch what I eat as well, and my appetite has decreased due to heartburn, so I'm just finding it all so weird. I'm guessing it's water, or baby, or both. I will chat to my midwife though because sometimes such a rise in weight gain can be a sign that there's too much water in the womb.

I understand that feeling of not knowing how I could possibly get bigger. When I hit 31 weeks the bump just went 'boom' and it's been a bit of a shock to my whole system ever since. It might be the right thing just not to weigh myself and just stay active/eat right etc. The body is doing what it needs to do, in the only way it knows how. So I think it's probably my job to trust it.

It all just gets a bit much sometimes - but all your comments have been really helpful and supportive. Thank you!

Midwives don’t routinely weigh people in pregnancy. There are plenty other ways to detect if there are any issues (which I’m sure there aren’t).
I thought pregnancy was the one time in life we get to embrace having a lovely big tum! And try not to be shocked post pregnancy when you still look pregnant for weeks/months.
You’re right when you say to trust your body. Maybe ditch the scales and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

I totally relate to a lot of these comments. I’m only 27 weeks and don’t know how I can cope with gaining more (as in physically cope with the back pain, swelling etc). In my previous pregnancies I sometimes gained 3lb+ in a week for no reason whatsoever. I also don’t want to sound ungrateful, but it can be tough.

I don’t understand why anyone would think a person should lose weight in the 3rd trimester?! I’m sure a few people with horrendous sickness do lose weight, but most people will naturally gain weight because the baby (and everything else!) is growing .

In my first pregnancy I snapped right back, but with your second things can be different can't they...I don't recall being this uncomfortable either, back ache, heaviness, fatigue...I think it's okay to let it out sometimes. It's not ungrateful @TheGruffalosLoveChild it's just hard sometimes, especially when you're used to being on top of it all!
I read this about weight loss in third trimester too: expectingscience.com/2017/11/14/five-little-known-facts-about-pregnancy-weight-gain/ It's quite an interesting read actually, everything aside!