Has anyone actively tried to lose weight in pregnancy?

[Suprima]

Please don’t tell me “you are beautiful! You are growing a beautiful baby! It doesn’t matter!” - because this is starting to concern my health and comfort.

I have lipedema. If you don’t know what it is, it’s the excessive built up of fat on the lower body. When it’s at its worst (I have been very overweight in the past- BMI 38) I have no ankles, thick padding around my knees and sores from where my legs start to rub together. I am 26 weeks pregnant and heading this way again, and I’m so sad about it. Before pregnancy, the only thing that kept my body in check was eating keto and some sweet treats a couple of times a week, and regular exercise. Unfortunately I have only been able to eat bready, plain foods until recently and my anxiety has made me too worried to exercise.

My thighs hurt and are red raw. My body is so slow and my joints are starting to ache. My boobs have grown with my pregnancy that have made me look more balanced that I have before in clothes- but the situation is getting extremely bad.

I have tried to speak to my midwives but they keep saying the ‘your body is changing! Don’t worry!’ but I can’t help but feeling down about it, and in physical discomfort because of where the fat is going.

My weight has stabilised now so I’m hoping it doesn’t get any worse…but want to do something about it.

Are there any NHS resources or health initiatives that you have encountered regarding safe weight loss in pregnancy? Or online groups? I know slimming world is considered ‘safe’ for pregnancy but I don’t like the culture behind it.

Honestly I wouldn't diet, as you've experienced you have only been able to eat what you can. Just regular exercise as normal. With your condition I would just speak to your GP for advice. Gaining weight it part of it with pregnancy. Xx

@Tabitha789

Honestly I wouldn't diet, as you've experienced you have only been able to eat what you can. Just regular exercise as normal. With your condition I would just speak to your GP for advice. Gaining weight it part of it with pregnancy. Xx

I can’t exercise regularly due to miscarriage anxiety, as I said in my post. I struggle to walk my dog and get my heart rate up without having a panic attack.

The only thing that helps my condition is fat loss. I don’t gain weight evenly like other people.

This isn’t a case of being sad about going up a dress size.

I dont think fat loss is safe in pregnancy?
But i am not a professional.

Have you tried speaking to a dietitian? Or a doctor?

I dont want to scare you but I gained most of my weight in the later weeks and so if you are feeling this way and struggling I would definitely try to speak to someone other than the midwife to take you seriously.

Do you have support for you anxiety?
Regular exercise would be the healthiest way to not pile up weight along with your diet. But if you are struggling that will obviously be very limiting in terms of options.

It's tough... so sorry you are finding yourself in this situation.
I am also struggling with weight gain but I just tell myself it is temporary and after birth and recovery I will be doing everything to get back in shape.

As someone who was prone to swelling in pregnancy, I don't think dieting or losing weight will help your condition while pregnant. It's likely that pregnancy hormones, rather than what you're eating is making the situation worse. Honestly, I went up like a balloon when I was pregnant. Swollen feet, swollen legs, hands and even a balloon face by the end. But within a week of having my kids, I had lost two stone and gone back to my normal, not puffy self.

My diet while pregnant wasn't radically different to what it was before hand. If anything with my youngest child, I was healthier because I was craving meat and salad.

There is nothing wrong with being sensible, eating healthy etc. But I think you're chasing a lost cause trying to diet to improve the situation.

I also have lipidema in my legs BTW. So I do get it.

Have you asked your midwife for support with regards to your mental health?
If you aren't able to exercise without risking a panic attack then that's not normal and I think you'd be so much more successful in achieving your aims if you try to address the mental health side of things first.
I got good support through a peri-natal mental health team during my pregnancy including CBT.

If you are managing to get out and walk your dog then that's a good first step, I would try and improve on that for example, can you put a step counter target on your phone, and try and increase the target by a modest 100 steps per day?

@SouthwestSis

Have you asked your midwife for support with regards to your mental health? If you aren't able to exercise without risking a panic attack then that's not normal and I think you'd be so much more successful in achieving your aims if you try to address the mental health side of things first. I got good support through a peri-natal mental health team during my pregnancy including CBT.

If you are managing to get out and walk your dog then that's a good first step, I would try and improve on that for example, can you put a step counter target on your phone, and try and increase the target by a modest 100 steps per day?

I’m already under the perinatal health team and the vulnerable women’s midwife team. I have support there.

No midwife normal or specialist has been able to help me with regards to maintaining weight, or losing weight safely. I just get told that my body is changing and it’s fine- even though my BMI is 34 and you can see my lipedema worsening.

I’ll aim to improve my step count. I’m on my feet all day at work so I am lightly active- but I unfortunately someone who needs to lead a very strict lifestyle in order to maintain a healthy weight.

I’m not eating huge amounts now- but the lack of exercise and my diet changing completely to include pasta and bready foods has really made me balloon on my lower half.