Weight Gain

[Worriesome]

Hi all

I’m 23ish weeks and putting on A LOT of weight. Although I haven’t weighed myself it’s obvious to see I’m getting really big in all the wrong places. I do feel like some of it is swelling but my flanks and thighs have become a lot meatier and even a second chin has appeared.

I’m posting because I’m worried, I have another 3 months to go so dreading how different I will look at the end of this and it’s getting me down.

I can’t exercise as I can barely move, back hurts, sometimes pelvis hurts too. I could go for walks but again finding the time to take them is difficult especially as I’m severely nauseous and spend any free time curled up on the sofa resting. Also, I have other kids to tend to and general house responsibilities so I’m shattered most of the day anyway and last thing I feel like is a walk.

What would you do? Should I cut myself slack and just allow my body to grow a baby and take the bad with the good or is there a way I can get less ‘big’ on other parts of my body x

I think you can do both things - cut yourself some slack but you can do things to help manage the weight.

You say you have other kids and household responsibilities but don't forget that alot household chores make great light excercise. Just vaccuming and walking up and down stairs can burn alot of calories when you're carrying extra baby weight. Or things like walking instead of driving to short distances.

With the nausea, are you actually throwing up too? I had nausea but never actually threw up. Someone recommended eating small amounts but very often and that helped me alot. Also, it's common to crave carbs and general junk food, but perhaps try to get some healthyish snacks in.

@HumunaHey you’ve hit the nail on the head, it’s my all day nausea that’s making me grab a snack every hour just to keep it at bay. I’ve been severely nauseous since week 5 and not actually throwing up. I find myself eating biscuits as I pass the kitchen, a chocolate bar when I feel very sick, fizzy drink to keep sickness at bay and crisps have been a really addictive source for me for many months now, again to combat the nausea. I’m not drawn to fruit or veg or water as these things don’t take my sickness away, my body craves what it craves and I guess it explains the weight in my thighs and flanks and my second chin x

With my first, I gained weight round my hips, lower back and upper thighs. I gained about 2 stone throughout my pregnancy. I think that must just be the usual place to gain weight so I wouldn’t worry about that!
But
I probably would try and do a bit of exercise in your position having had pelvic pain because as tough as it is, you have still got quite a way to go in your pregnancy and the less you use your joints, the worse they’ll get and your muscles will get weaker which will mean your joints are even less supported

@Dalmationcoat thanks for replying, absolutely makes sense. I should push myself, I’m self sabotaging tbh. It’s only after delivery will I realise just how much was my weight and not baby weight 😟

Hi there, I’m in a very similar position to you but just further along (35 wks with 2nd baby), it’s very tiring running (waddling) around after a busy toddler! I think it’s been really tough being pregnant in lockdown and this has def been a factor for me re: eating. I’ve also gained lots due to pain restricting movement and comfort snacking - sometimes as a distraction or way to cope with the various pregnancy symptoms (I also had the severe morning sickness, back and pelvic pain). I’ve managed to eat more healthily and snack less in my third trim. which has slowed the gain, but am already big(!) so decided a while back to cut myself some slack as losing weight after the fact is totally doable (I lost 3.5 stone after 1st baby). I’ve also got the extra chin and what feels like an extra neck cushion around the back, lol! Try not to worry, eat more healthy snacks where you can (or less frequently with the unhealthy ones), go easy on yourself as it will balance out on the other side :-) Are you planning on breast feeding?

@Jellyfishnchips aw I’m sorry you’re having the same problems, it sucks doesn’t it. I must say I envy you, I wish I was in my final weeks as the thought of another 3 months like this is making me so anxious. If I’m not eating I’m feeling sick so I grab something salty or sugary to snack on to aid the nausea as it’s the only way I know how. I’m not even hungry it’s more just a habit now and a quick fix! I gained 4 stone in my first pregnancy so I’ve been through the struggle of major body changes after birth and it really got me down. I don’t want to go through it all again 😔

@Jellyfishnchips sorry forgot to answer, no don’t intend to breastfeed x

Yeah sucks, but hey at least it won’t last forever! I think those of us who have a predisposition to weight gain are at a disadvantage in this respect as I have slim mum friends who ate the same stuff as me and only had small gains in pregnancy . The pregnancy hormones want us to gain fat for milk production so I think those of us who lean towards gains in regular non-pregnant times get a double dose in pregnancy! Try not to worry about being bigger than you’d like, it’s hard enough dealing with pregnancy symptoms like the nausea, so as hard as it sounds, try to make friends with your curvy pregnancy bod. Even things like extra stretch marks I look at and go ‘meh, they’ll fade!’ :-) I found getting maternity clothes I feel comfy in helps - I got some things from EBay some maternity and some just bigger sizes cheaply. I found George maternity good and not expensive, ‘Motherhood Maternity’ is an American online shop and does some plus size maternity too which is in short supply in UK (their sizes come up huge though which I discovered!). If you’re interested I tried one particular slimming plan that rocketed my losses a couple of years after having baby (wish I’d found it sooner after baby) went from a size 16/18 to a 10 in 3 months. This is the one I’ll be doing after baby, though will have to wait til several months as am planning to breast feed and you’re not supposed to do this plan and BF). No worries, BF can help to lose a bit quicker but doesn’t make much diff in the long term

You can cut yourself slack if you like but you will continue to gain too much if you do that throughout.

You should make more effort to be active as it will be great for you and baby.
Food, snacking is fine but make sure you are choosing healthier things rather than highly processed rubbish.

I gained far too much in the early days because of nausea, fatigue and reduced intensity of exercise. As I started to feel better I got back to healthier eating and feel much better for it. I kept up with my exercise (powerlifting & walking dog) through all the rubbish bits and with spd worsening. Doing my best to maintain strength and fitness levels, strong/fit mum = strong/fit baby (hopefully, well it's what drives me to keep at it). I have 5 kids and a military hubby so if I don't do stuff round here it just doesn't get done.