Obese older mum, Weight loss during 2nd trimester

[zonedoutallnight]

Hi all,
I'm an overweight older mum expecting my 2nd child in January. I'm 22weeks now.

I was much heavier when this baby was conceived than with my first and this pregnancy has been totally different. I had hyperemesis last time, whereas this time I've only been sick a handful of times but the thing that is worrying me at the moment is that I'm not only not gaining weight but it's going down. (I know this is the opposite worry for most people but it's really concerning me)

I know that I'm older and obese and that has all sorts of complications that are not good for baby, But I'm also really worried by the lack of weight gain. I don't really feel hungry and at times I'm forcing myself to eat.

I had my 20 week scan and they said it's average size and not to worry, and I'm under a consultant because of my age, weight and the fact that DS was SGA (small for gestational age)

I mentioned the weight loss to the dr when I saw them but they didn't seem too bothered. They've given me aspirin to take every day and clexane to start taking in a few weeks based on my bmi, but I've lost 6kg since I was first weighed and they haven't wanted to weigh me since.

I'm sorry this is a bit rambling I guess I was just wondering if anyone out there has had a similar experience.

Don't worry OP sounds like baby is a healthy size!
If you are only managing to eat small amounts then make sure it's nutrition and that you're taking a pregnancy vitamin. Most weight gain in pregnancy happens after the 22w mark anyway, and they will continue to monitor the size of your baby through pregnancy too.

I have never been pregnant but my friend recently had a baby and lost weight through her pregnancy.
The baby is perfectly healthy and was 7lb 6 at birth so a good size.
She just wasn't hungry so used to try force herself to eat natural yoghurt and salads/veg every day to make sure she was getting nutrition for the baby.
The doctor wasn't concerned for the baby, said everything goes to them first and you get the leftovers. Hence her losing weight but the baby growing.
She was anxious about it during pregnancy but it worked out fine and her appetite is back with breastfeeding now.
Hope that is reassuring for you, I can understand that anything that seems out of the norm is worrying.

Hello! I'm in a similar situation, but behind you pregnancy-wise. I'm coming up to 14 weeks and have so far lost 10lbs. This isn't due to sickness (I've been so lucky not to have any at all) but because I had a gastric bypass last year and am still in the losing phase. I've seen my consultant and midwife a few times now and neither are really concerned about that. Whilst I've been told that I shouldn't actively be trying to lose weight, the odds are that I could end this pregnancy lighter than when I started and they're both okay with that as I still (just) fall in to the obese category, and can definitely afford to lose the weight. The only measure they're putting in place is fortnightly growth scans from 30 weeks. I'm 40 and this is my first pregnancy.

Your situation is obviously different - do you think it's purely your change in appetite causing the weight loss, or are you worried that there's something else going on? If the latter, maybe it's worth booking an appointment with your GP to discuss, as it's not necessarily pregnancy-related.

If it's appetite, the only thing that's working for me at the moment is eating little and often. Over the last few weeks I've gone from 3 (bariatric-sized) meals per day and a snack, to 5 or 6 smaller meals. I've also switched from low fat to full fat dairy products, real butter etc. as way to boost calories a little without increasing the volume of food. I imagine that towards the end, I may well be eating constantly to try and get the calories in!

It might be worth asking your midwife about taking Forceval, it's a pretty heavy duty multi-vitamin designed for patients with absorbency or nutritional issues, and might put your mind at rest about baby getting what it needs? You would need the capsule version - this has vitamin A in pregnancy-safe beta carotene form, whereas the soluble or liquid versions have retinol-based vitamin A.

I ended my pregnancy 2 stone lighter
Healthy baby, normal pregnancy

My mam was the same on her pregnancies

It's great, personally for me I think my hormones balanced for the first time in years

Thanks for your comments it is really reassuring. I'm taking vitamins and drinking plenty and am a bit addicted to apples it's the main meals that I have to remind myself about. I've done an online shop and tried to get a bit more variety in the house so I can find more to munch on.

I think focus on nutrients and don't worry about the weight loss, especially as you've told your doctor. Just make sure that the little you can eat is packed with goodness.
I'm healthy weight and full term now, but haven't really put on any weight since the early second trimester. I know this is not the same as actually losing weight, but my body must have lost weight as the baby has been growing fine! It's been stealing my body fat! Seems like win win to me!