Overweight

[Mari45]

I just had my first midwife's appointment (week 6 of pregnancy) and have been left a bit deflated due to a comment about my weight. I am at the top end of the "overweight" range (12st8lbs) so I wouldn't ideally like to have lost around 10kg (22lbs) before getting pregnant. But I didn't! I was asked if I'd like to be referred to a dietician, and I know that the midwife had to do this as part of protocol. She said she can see I'm not very overweight but it is still something they are obliged to advise on. As someone who has struggled to maintain my weight within a healthy BMI, and also battled lots of demons in my head on this topic, I'm worried I'm about to spiral into a panic. The negative thoughts are back and I want to try to have a balanced outlook on this!

This is my first pregnancy and I am starting to worry that my weight may put my baby at risk. I will of course try to not overdo snacks etc, and I already work out twice a week and do yoga twice a week. But I am really not sure whether going on a stricter diet is advisable at this stage. I know that I over eat out of boredom or for comfort but it's so hard to break habits of a lifetime.

Any advice or similar experiences would really help right now as I'm going into an "I'm the worst person, why am I such a fat monster who can't stop eating" spiral of thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Don't worry about it too much.
So long as you are having plenty of nutritious foods a few treats will not do any harm. Keeping up with exercise throughout will be fab for you and help with reducing fat gain.

I'm pretty heavy atm, I've been heavier in previous pregnancies though. I gained 12kg last year after a miscarriage and other frustrations of ttc. I still powerlift in the gym twice a week (did 3 pre-pregnancy) but other exercise is less with the kids off school. My 1st 2 pregnancies I was terrible with food and gained 4st in each, 3rd was much better and gained 2.5st, 4&5 twins I stopped weighing at 2st gain but after birth was only 7lb heavier than pre-pregnancy. If you don't gain to excess it comes off pretty quickly after anyway.

You can follow Slimming World when pregnant with the guidance of your midwife.

I would just make sure you are eating lots of fruit & veg, lean protein and complex carbs. If you fancy a takeaway or chocolate or whatever, have it & enjoy it! Instead of grabbing a snack, have a glass of water & see if the cravings go - have a load of veggies and protein based snacks prepared for you to grab rather than something sugary.

I started my pregnancy with a BMI of 25.1 and was bigger than I wanted to be. I ended up putting on 19kg but a lot of it was fluid. I lost 11kg within 3 days of giving birth.

Seven weeks on, I still have the remaining 8kg plus ideally another 10kg really! But not pressuring myself.

I am not even in the overweight range but let's say a upper normal BMI and it also made me feel a bit meh to hear about my weight gain in pregnancy. MW asked me to watch my diet at 26 weeks appointment.
A part of me totally understands but there is always that insecure part and it does bring you down.
Just remember she is here to help though. And as long as you are doing your best in terms of eating healthy and not overdoing the snacks and junk food, you will be ok.

God I had this. BMI was probably 35/36 - I was told only allowed to but on 21lbs in pregnancy and was constantly told my weight will effect the baby, will give me complications, bigger birth weight etc etc. I was monitored to within and inch of my life and told I would not be allowed to go more than 40+5.

I was induced at 39+6 and baby born at 40+1.

I weighed LESS the day I went in for my induction than the day I found out I was pregnant. Plus baby wasnt ready to come out so had a horrendous birth ending in forceps and an episiotomy.

What I am trying to say is - dont let them pressure you into anything and dont beat yourself up!

Your weight is not going to hurt your baby. Don't do what I've done and obsess over how much you're eating/gaining to the point you end up bingeing, as that will bring a whole other level of guilt! Just look after yourself and listen to your body x

I am overweight, was under the dietitian at the hosp, they told me I would probably have pre eclampsia, diabetes when actually even though I have a high bmi I had a really healthy pregnancy and I actually lost weight. The dietitian didn’t advise any extreme diets whilst pregnant, she said I could do sw if I wanted but I was just sensible. I knew my risk of complications were higher due to weight but I didn’t let it take over my mindset, I had an assisted birth due to a back to back baby. I had extra scans due to them classing me as high risk, and even though I would much rather not be classed as high risk or overweight I just saw the positives of having extra scans and getting to see my baby.

@Chelyanne

Don't worry about it too much. So long as you are having plenty of nutritious foods a few treats will not do any harm. Keeping up with exercise throughout will be fab for you and help with reducing fat gain.

I'm pretty heavy atm, I've been heavier in previous pregnancies though. I gained 12kg last year after a miscarriage and other frustrations of ttc. I still powerlift in the gym twice a week (did 3 pre-pregnancy) but other exercise is less with the kids off school. My 1st 2 pregnancies I was terrible with food and gained 4st in each, 3rd was much better and gained 2.5st, 4&5 twins I stopped weighing at 2st gain but after birth was only 7lb heavier than pre-pregnancy. If you don't gain to excess it comes off pretty quickly after anyway.

Thank you for this. I needed to hear this! I'm going to try to cut down on the snacks and bit and just keep up with the regular movement. I hope it's all going well for you!

@MaverickDanger

You can follow Slimming World when pregnant with the guidance of your midwife.

I would just make sure you are eating lots of fruit & veg, lean protein and complex carbs. If you fancy a takeaway or chocolate or whatever, have it & enjoy it! Instead of grabbing a snack, have a glass of water & see if the cravings go - have a load of veggies and protein based snacks prepared for you to grab rather than something sugary.

I started my pregnancy with a BMI of 25.1 and was bigger than I wanted to be. I ended up putting on 19kg but a lot of it was fluid. I lost 11kg within 3 days of giving birth.

Seven weeks on, I still have the remaining 8kg plus ideally another 10kg really! But not pressuring myself.

Thanks for these tips. I will give it a good go and will also try to follow the dieticians advice. It seems possible to lose some weight during the first trimester so perhaps that could happen if I cut down a little on the sugar and snacks.

@SunnySideUp2020

I am not even in the overweight range but let's say a upper normal BMI and it also made me feel a bit meh to hear about my weight gain in pregnancy. MW asked me to watch my diet at 26 weeks appointment. A part of me totally understands but there is always that insecure part and it does bring you down. Just remember she is here to help though. And as long as you are doing your best in terms of eating healthy and not overdoing the snacks and junk food, you will be ok.

Yes, I do just need to trust that they do it for a good reason and they are there to help. Thanks for this reminder It's tough to hear but helpful in the long run.

@lovemenomore

God I had this. BMI was probably 35/36 - I was told only allowed to but on 21lbs in pregnancy and was constantly told my weight will effect the baby, will give me complications, bigger birth weight etc etc. I was monitored to within and inch of my life and told I would not be allowed to go more than 40+5.

I was induced at 39+6 and baby born at 40+1.

I weighed LESS the day I went in for my induction than the day I found out I was pregnant. Plus baby wasnt ready to come out so had a horrendous birth ending in forceps and an episiotomy.

What I am trying to say is - dont let them pressure you into anything and dont beat yourself up!

Wow, that's crazy! Just goes to show....BMI isn't always the best measure of health. I think the main thing is trying to keep a positive outlook and being kind to ourselves is important. Thanks for your support!

@howmanyroads

Your weight is not going to hurt your baby. Don't do what I've done and obsess over how much you're eating/gaining to the point you end up bingeing, as that will bring a whole other level of guilt! Just look after yourself and listen to your body x

Thank you for this. That sounds like exactly something I would do so I do need to be careful with restricting too much now that I've had this "news". Thanks for the reminder to just take it easy.

It might not be a bad idea to see the dietician as that’s been offered as support.

@positivebex

I am overweight, was under the dietitian at the hosp, they told me I would probably have pre eclampsia, diabetes when actually even though I have a high bmi I had a really healthy pregnancy and I actually lost weight. The dietitian didn’t advise any extreme diets whilst pregnant, she said I could do sw if I wanted but I was just sensible. I knew my risk of complications were higher due to weight but I didn’t let it take over my mindset, I had an assisted birth due to a back to back baby. I had extra scans due to them classing me as high risk, and even though I would much rather not be classed as high risk or overweight I just saw the positives of having extra scans and getting to see my baby.

That's so true, there are always positives to every cloud! I'll try to focus more on that mindset from now on I think. It's nice to get a bit more attention and it will be good to get a free dietician to advise!

@AnneLovesGilbert

It might not be a bad idea to see the dietician as that’s been offered as support.

Yes, I'm coming around to the idea now. It's probably going to be really informative and can help to support be with the mental side of things too. Thank you

Just to add my baby was 6lb 9oz - so not the 10/12lb baby they said I would have - the growth scans often get it wrong!

@Mari45 it is hard when they constantly mention your weight. I remember being gutted till I gave myself a talking too. I enjoyed seeing the dietitian she was actually really lovely and I got some really useful info from her. Hope you have a positive pregnancy xx

The biggest irritation I find carrying more fat than you should be is ultrasounds. If they struggle with them they do reference your BMI being higher on the notes.

They do all this you should eat a certain way and only gain X amount of weight. So most of the midwives I've had that are expected to push these things on pregnant women have had a BMI above the healthy range too and are actually quite relaxed about it.