Losing weight in pregnancy

[nightshiftzombie]

Is it safe to lose weight in pregnancy when you have a high BMI?
Been TTC for years and actively trying to lose weight, I've already lost 3 stone but my BMI is still 31.
I've just found out in pregnant - I still want to continue to lose weight in pregnancy if it's safe to do so?
I want to be the healthiest I can be and minimise any risks.
Anyone with any experience?

If losing weight means eating healthily and doing exercise, I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping that up. However, you'll find that when pregnant you gain weight naturally as the extra weight comes from water retention, amniotic fluid, extra blood, placenta, baby(!), etc. so it's not just fat.

There are charts online for how much weight you should gain according to your BMI and it recommends with a BMI of over 30 to gain 5-9kg (11-20lbs).

Btw, congrats on the pregnany and 3-stone weight loss!

Hi there, I'm no expert but researched the topic a bit. I think loosing weight is not recommended as it means you are in deficit of calories and nutrients. Women with high BMI tend not to gain as much weight as women with normal or low BMI. I would suggest eating healthily and checking weight gain charts www.calculator.net/pregnancy-weight-gain-calculator.html to see what normal weight gain is for you BMI. There are also useful calculators for how much calories you should be eating for your BMI during pregnancy. Staying active helps too. I think if you don't gain much and is determined to keep loosing weight after birth you'll be fine. There was an interesting study on reduction of inner fat in pregnancy for women with high BMI. Most weight gain happens after week 20 and lots of it is water retention. So scales won't be a good indicator of your true weight. Measuring hips, breast, legs won't be great indicator eight as they change and gets swollen during pregnancy. With no control over it, it's probably best not to stress out about it, eat healthy varied diet and you'll be back on track with weight loss after delivery.

Hi, I wanted to ask the same question just found out I'm pregnant, only 4 weeks it my BMI is 36 I'm ashamed to say. I have been reying to lose weight to get pregnant in the first place.
Anyway, I'm focusing on eating a healthy balanced diet throughout my pregnancy and if that means I lose a little weight by the end then win win. But I'm not focusing on my weight now, just want to be healthy

I think the advice is to not actively try to lose weight in pregnancy, I’ve only gained 3lbs (33 weeks) but I didn’t start off with a high BMI, I’ve not been actively trying to keep weight off, I’ve just been eating healthily, unfortunately I’ve had issues regarding being able to eat more than a handful of food at a time so I have struggled trying to gain.

I’d say try to eat healthily and exercise when you are able but without actively restricting food if that makes sense!

My midwife said the weight watchers diet plan is acceptable to do during pregnancy the aim is more to maintain your weight rather than lose or gain, and eat a healthier range of noms.

You may find you will naturally lose weight anyway- due to not eating so many takeaways and meat during lockdown this I have lost weight but i have also had a lot of morning sickness!