BMI of 30 and losing weight during pregnancy (by choice)

[SylviaPlath1984]

Hey folks...

Any advice or experience on this one? I'm not hugely overweight but weigh too much in reality, BMI is a smidge over 30. My GP said that losing small amounts of weight during pregnancy due to healthier eating / exercise when you are overweight is usually a good thing and they would support that... but the obstetrician was indifferent and essentially hinted not to bother.

Doing my own research, there's mixed ideas and advice from the medical communities so I would like to hear from real women who have perhaps had experience with this themselves and can advise.

My motivation to lose (or even just not to gain much) is because this will be an elective Caesarean section and frankly I've been left terrified by the blunt words of my obstetrician about the risks being higher and recovery worse because of my weight.

Thanks in advance!

I lost 2 stone in the first and second trimester of my last pregnancy. First trimester I was constantly nauseous and ate very little, second trimester I tried to keep up the momentum of not over eating (I was eating 1600-1800 calories a day and doing some exercise most days). By the third trimester, the weight started creeping back on, but only half a stone. So by the time baby arrived, I was still smaller than I had been at the start and my recovery was fine. Not a single medical professional every questioned me on my weight loss (starting BMI of 30 too), they just seemed pleased that I hadn’t piled loads more on. I’m not in any way experienced to give you and advice but that was my experience.

@GoryGilmore

I lost 2 stone in the first and second trimester of my last pregnancy. First trimester I was constantly nauseous and ate very little, second trimester I tried to keep up the momentum of not over eating (I was eating 1600-1800 calories a day and doing some exercise most days). By the third trimester, the weight started creeping back on, but only half a stone. So by the time baby arrived, I was still smaller than I had been at the start and my recovery was fine. Not a single medical professional every questioned me on my weight loss (starting BMI of 30 too), they just seemed pleased that I hadn’t piled loads more on. I’m not in any way experienced to give you and advice but that was my experience.

This is really helpful, thanks for taking the time to post. Can I ask what sort of exercise you were doing? And what kind of delivery you ended up having?

That’s okay, I was swimming 2 or 3 times a week, for an hour (doing a mile each time) and going for a fairly brisk hour long walk on the days I couldn’t do that. By the third trimester the walks became a bit less brisk though I had an emergency csection in the end due to a failed induction and baby passing meconium.

@GoryGilmore

That’s okay, I was swimming 2 or 3 times a week, for an hour (doing a mile each time) and going for a fairly brisk hour long walk on the days I couldn’t do that. By the third trimester the walks became a bit less brisk though I had an emergency csection in the end due to a failed induction and baby passing meconium.

Thank you!

It's good to hear that you weren't judged about your weight loss, and it sounds as if you were being very measured and sensible with the exercise. I'm desperate to swim but with the pools closed I'm just doing the brisk walks.

How did you find your section and recovery?

Not in quite the same position but was interested because I was also hoping to not put on too much weight having gained a lot pre-pregnancy for various reasons. From my experience I would say listen to your body re food and exercise. I definitely lost weight in 1st and 2nd trimesters - so long as you are feeling good I'm sure it's OK. This is probably obvious but if you start to get dizziness or drops in blood pressure you might need to take it easy/eat a little more but that doesn't mean you can't work towards a goal - not the time to "push through" when exercising though. I've definitely found it varies loads day to day and week to week as well - there's no way I could use a daily calorie intake target or anything like that. I guess it makes sense as baby has growth spurts.

You shouldn't really diet with a high calorie deficit during pregnancy. Best thing to do is focus on the types of food you eat. Aim for a maintaining calorie intake based on pre-pregnancy weight and as baby gets bigger you will naturally use up fat stores. Make sure you take a multivitamin to fill any nutritional gaps with calorie restriction.
Exercise is always great in pregnancy. If you already had a routine in place you can keep doing that at reduced intensity. If you are new to exercise start slow and build it up. The breathlessness test is good to check intensity level, you should be able to talk during/after exercise.

I was terrible with food in the 1st trimester because of nausea but getting back to healthier cooking and less junk now with the aim to limit further gains. I am keeping up my powerlifting training too which was hard with nausea. Managing up to 80% of what I was pre-pregnancy at 16wk but altering things as I go depending on how it feels.

I would say if you try to eat healthily, avoid over eating, avoid sugar and do some gentle exercise like walking that’s always a good thing and never a bad thing 🙂 as long as you’re not dieting/starving yourself and making sure you get all your fruit, veg anc fibre you should be fine.

I’m doing things like having peanut butter on a rice cake instead of reaching for biscuits/chocolate and walking every day xx

Don't worry too much about recovery after cesarean when overweight.
My BMI at booking with my twins was 36. I had an elective cesarean as they were breech. I was up and walking within 12 hours of surgery despite heavy blood loss, felt fine the next morning and needed no pain relief. Was discharged within 36 hours and was doing most things once home, no driving as dh was home and max lifting was our 2 year old for a few weeks. I did get an infection in my would (which was painless) as stitches didn't dissolve, doctor found a non dissolvable stitches in there which was probably where the bacteria managed to get in. Had antibiotics and removed 2.5 inch of stitches then it healed up fine, barely notice the scar now.

My BMI was 31 at booking. Ended up having an emergency c-sec and the recovery was absolutely fine. I had a shower with no assistance and was walking around the ward the next day and didn't have any issues with infection.

Healthy eating and exercise is definitely a good idea for you both but try not to get too worried about the numbers. Although those of us who are overweight are not expected to put on as much as those of a healthy weight, our bodies do still change and you will likely get heavier, even if you are being really healthy.

I lost 2 stone during pregnancy doing very little. You'll naturally eat healthier and obvs (usually) not drink alcohol while pregnant which will make a massive difference. Try and do your 10000 steps a day and drink plenty and that should be enough to make a difference. My BMI went from 33 to 29 in pregnancy

Aim to not gain much rather than actively lose weight.

My BMI was 35+ in my pregnancy and thats the goal I was given. Overall I gained 10lb from start of pregnancy to when DD was delivered and that all disappeared (and some) pretty much overnight once she was out.

@Chelyanne

Don't worry too much about recovery after cesarean when overweight. My BMI at booking with my twins was 36. I had an elective cesarean as they were breech. I was up and walking within 12 hours of surgery despite heavy blood loss, felt fine the next morning and needed no pain relief. Was discharged within 36 hours and was doing most things once home, no driving as dh was home and max lifting was our 2 year old for a few weeks. I did get an infection in my would (which was painless) as stitches didn't dissolve, doctor found a non dissolvable stitches in there which was probably where the bacteria managed to get in. Had antibiotics and removed 2.5 inch of stitches then it healed up fine, barely notice the scar now.

I'm glad you had a good recovery but I would advise to anyone having a c section to make sure they do take your painkillers. An infection can really hurt. It put my recovery back weeks.

My bmi hit 30 in January. I’ve since lost a stone and it’s now 28. I’m ttc.

I use pinch of nom recipes and make sure I do 10,000 steps a day. If I conceive I’ll try to stick with it.

I actually eat more then before but it’s much better food!

BMI of 33 here. I live in an area where they mention it, repeatedly, but don't actually offer any support or advice.

I've been told to try not to gain, but honestly as a person who has spent 20yrs yoyoing and being overweight, then obese, if it were that simple I'd have nailed it before now. I know personal responsibility is a thing and I'm trying.

I've been following SW (avoiding all the fat free/faddy stuff) and focusing on trying to eat well, but I'll be honest homeschooling 2 kids, looking after an 19m old, it's not been easy. I've not lost at all even in the weeks I've stuck to plan, the best I've got is staying the same. My total gain at 25wks is about 7lb.

I don’t think it’s safe to strictly restrict your calorie intake while pregnant. Your body is doing a lot and needs an extra 200 calories towards the end anyway.

Eating a more healthy diet however would definitely be beneficial and as a result weight loss may happen naturally.

Slimming world is advocated during pregnancy (midwife has to agree to it and you get extra calcium products) as it’s essentially following a healthy / low fat diet.

Due to my bmi I was under the care of the dietician who I saw about 4 times. They did advocate sw but asked me to try not put on or lose weight though did end up Losing about 6lbs due to sickness and attempting healthy eating when I could, my sickness was bad so in the beginning I was just eating anything I could stomach which was mainly bland, carbs.

@User1511

Slimming world is advocated during pregnancy (midwife has to agree to it and you get extra calcium products) as it’s essentially following a healthy / low fat diet.

I can vouch for this. My BMI is between 29 and 30 and I'm at the top of my healthy weight range. I'm on SW and found out on Saturday I'm pregnant. I'm 4+2 today and my SW consultant is one of the first people I've told because I want to make sure I'm eating enough and the right things. She was great. Very supportive and I'm just able to fill myself up on 'free foods' so I don't gain too much.