Weight gain in pregnancy

[drV]

Hello all.. I am 21+5 weeks atm and this is my first pregnancy. My big concern atm is that I am struggling to gain weight.

I am 5'2", petite woman and Pre-pregnancy, I was around 60 kg but lost 2 kg in my first trimester due to vomiting a lot and not being able to eat much.. nausea and vomiting reduced around the beginning of second trimester.

I now weigh 62.8 kg and it has been the same since atleast 3 weeks. The scales aren't budging 🤯 I am eating fairly well, 2 big meals, one breakfast and couple of snacks in between ( usually fruits and nuts).

The 20th week ultrasound shows that my lil bubba is developing well and all the measurements are upto date. I won't be seeing a midwife till 25 weeks.

Just worried sick whether my baby is getting enough nutrition because I am struggling to gain weight. I don't know if I am just being over anxious or has this happened to anyone else?!

Any suggestions/inputs highly appreciated 🤗

It's quite common for women to lose weight due to sickness in pregnancy. Your baby will always take what it needs from you so I wouldn't worry too much. There's plenty of time for it to start packing on the weight later on!

If you're really worried though have a chat with your midwife.

If your midwife isn't worried then don't you worry too much.

Tbh, pregnancy was the best diet i ever went on! I was a bit overweight before and ate healthily and didn't drink alcohol and actually lost body fat on myself. also in the last 2 months i had terrible heartburn and felt like there was no actual room left for food so i didn't eat a lot. My babies were 7lb3, 7lb11 and 8lb1 and each time i weighed less after the birth than i had at conception. All my boys are now over 6 foot and in their 20s.

Be guided by the medics and enjoy your pregnancy without worry.

I had the same worry with my first pregnancy. I’m 5ft, naturally around 53 kg and gained 4 kg in the whole pregnancy - with 3.5 of this being a very healthy little boy! Currently pregnant with my second, and have gained 5kg at 40 weeks. No worries with baby at all.

Most weight gain comes at the end for me, so it is a bit of a waiting game, but nothing to worry about so long as the midwife is happy. Try not to worry, and just focus on eating a good diet. As a pp said, your baby will take what they need

Hi OP, I work with pregnant ladies and come across petite ladies all the time.

it’s normal for a bit of weight loss in the first trimester due to sickness. It’s more important that you keep well hydrated.

Are you aiming for the recommended calorie intake? Pregnant ladies only need the equivalent of a Mars bar calorie wise after the normal recommended calorie in take for a woman. The eating for two thing is nonsense.

If your baby was low on the centile range they would have asked you back for growth scans. The midwife will also measure your bump and if it shows small you will be sent for a growth scan.

Keep a diary to make sure you are hitting that recommended calorie intake.

You can also book in at a diagnostic scan clinic and ask them to check baby’s growth - if it’s showing particularly low they should do you a report and refer you to the pregnancy unit or one you can take to midwife

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. My first pregnancy I put on 4lbs by 20weeks, second pregnancy nothing at all by 20weeks. I did put on a bit after but not as much as I was expecting and both my babies were over 7lbs

I lost weight in the first trimester, didn’t put on anything in the second and gained only a small amount in the third. I’m now lying here cuddling my 5 week old who weighed 7lb 8oz. Don’t stress too much right now, particularly as you know baby is growing as they should be.

@AppleTrousers the issue is I haven't seen my midwife at all, apart from the booking appointment. I missed an appointment at 16 weeks because there was a family bereavement and I had to go out of the country for a couple of weeks. When I came back, I tried to contact the midwife but I was told I won't be seen till 25th week.. I have tried to talk to them on phone but to no avail... there's no professional available to listen to my concerns atm , feels left out, to fend on my own.. 😢

@Hugocat1 I have been maintaining a calorie counter and seems like eating enough. Weight isn't responding and that's what getting me worried! I haven't been seen my a midwife at all yet ( have written the whole story above), the only knowledge I have is from the 20th week scan, at which it was told that baby's measurements are upto date. I won't be seen/scanned again till 28 weeks and that's what got me worried.. we are seriously thinking of going for a private scan sometime soon !

@Blossom45 glad everything went well for you 🤗 hope there's nothing wrong with my bubba too! Pregnancy is such an anxious time..

My first pregnancy I lost weight but they weren't worried as I needed to lose a bit of weight anyway. DS was born 7lb 2oz.

Pregnant with twins and I'm now 29 weeks and only gained 2 pounds.

You don't need to panic when you're not gaining weight.

@SGChome20 hope that's what is happening with me too! I know I am a bit of worrywart, but this pregnancy has taken me to the next level 😬 have had two previous miscarriages and I am not at peace until I have my baby in my arms 😒

Try not to stress, your baby sounds like it’s growing and developing well. My first pregnancy weight was very similar to yours, it sped up in the third trimester but I was back to pre pregnancy weight a week after birth so it was all baby/fluid/blood. I’m 14 weeks with my second and have gained less than 1kg. NHS guidance is that you should just focus on a balanced diet in the first two trimesters and in the third you only need an additional 200 calories per day. It’s all about finding a balance. On the other end of the scale, I have a friend who put on 35kgs during pregnancy and she’s finding it so hard to shift.

I'm 20 weeks, 5ft 2" and also haven't put put on anything (though I did weigh more than you to start with!). I was worried but after searching it seems it can be totally normal, and as long as you're eating well and baby is growing well it's not a problem.

I'd follow up again on your 16 week appointment and try and get through to someone else though as they gave me tests results, and took a urine sample at mine so you won't want to have missed that.

My condolences on your bereavement too

My average weight gain in pregnancy is between 1st 7 and 1st 10 pounds. I am a healthy weight and well within a healthy BMI range. I had 3 good weight full term babies. I also was back in my jeans within a few weeks and at pre pregnancy weight. Not everyone gains loads but most of the gain comes in the last trimester (normally between 0.5 and 1 pound a week). Unless your midwife is concerned don't worry.

I am 5 ft 5 and pre pregnancy weight 60kg. I had gained 1kg by 25 weeks and am only now gaining more in the third trimester. Everyone is different and as long as you are eating well, it dosnt sound like you need to worry x