Weight gain in 2nd Trimester

[Redstar2015]

Hi All,

I know this type of thread has been done to death, but what did you do to ease concerns about weight gain. I started at a normal BMI and, following the pattern in my first pregnancy gained about 10 lbs in the first trimester with weight gain easing off in the 2nd trimester. The thing is I'm still above the recommended weight gain for this point in the pregnancy (19 weeks). I was doing okay up to this week and nearly back on track, but indulged a bit this weekend and scales show a 1.5 pound increase in just two days. It could be nothing and just normal fluctuations, but it's got me down as I had a rough 1st trimester so couldn't eat as well as I'd like as I was vomiting all the time and could only manage to eat carbs. Based on my current weight I'm now 13 pounds heavier than before getting pregnant.

Please try not to focus on your weight. It’s not reliable when pregnant as things like weight of waters, weight of placenta and weight of the baby can vary. Just eat healthily and don’t think about weight. It’s only a problem if you are putting on or losing an extreme amount. My midwife said thats the only time they are bothered about weight. Please try not to worry, focus on giving your baby what they need and perhaps consider speaking to a midwife as they may be able to offer some support

OP for what it’s worth, everyone is different. I put on most of the weight in 2nd trimester - at above average rate, and then my weight gain slowed down quite a bit in 3rd trimester even though it’s supposed to be the big growth time. I was worried about it before but decided to just focus on eating (mainly) healthily, continuing to move/exercise and accepting that my body is doing what it needs to do. I was also normal BMI and very active before PG and fully intend to get back to it as and when, not rushing and not critiquing my body for doing its job best it can. x

@Twoinapod , I really am trying and will speak to midwife if it's still a concern. But my next appt. isn't for another six weeks so a ways away. I think because in my first pregnancy I was told to slow down on weight gain it's in my head to weigh and measure and watch the charts.

@SiberFox , I'd feel better if I was more active. I've been poorly a lot this pregnancy so not very active. I mainly just feel like I'm having to constantly worry about what I'm eating, which in some ways is good as it encourages me to eat more healthy but it's really mentally exhausting. I'm hungry so often though I can't just eat rubbish and a lot of foods give me acid reflux. But I do still like being able to have a treat here and there and I hate feeling like I'll be going massively over weight guidelines if I do.

I put on 2 and a half stone with my daughter and lost it all within 3 weeks of her being born. Don't focus on weight gain as fat gain on your behalf, there's the baby, the placenta, amniotic fluid, extra blood and body fluids, etc. It could be that you are carrying more water weight this pregnancy over the last, or are more constipated, so have a lot of food weight in your bowel!

You said that you gained 1.5lb in one weekend? To put this into perspective for you- To gain 1 lb in weight you'd need to eat approximately 3500 calories over your tdee. 1.5lb would be 5250 calories over your tdee. If your tdee is 2000 calories per day, over a 2 day weekend you'd have had to eat 9250 calories- 4625 per day!

The weight gain won't be fat. Be kind to yourself- you're doing an amazing job of growing a baby, so you need to nourish both of you!

If you're feeling guilty, try to opt for healthier snacks before reaching for the Mars bars, but try to relax. It can all be lost after the birth

I've put on 16 pounds and I'm 18 weeks 😳 Google says 10 pounds is recommended by 20 weeks. Your only 3 pounds over that I really don't think that's anything to worry about it will probably even out over the rest of your pregnancy.

@Pitstop1986 and @K37529 , Thanks both for your reassuring comments! I'm really trying to give myself a bit of a break. Sick again so I don't have a lot of choice but to go back to carbs, as I just can't stomach healthier foods. I am trying when I can though.

I think it doesn't help that my bump was quite small with my first and I just feel huge this time around so more conscious of weight gain than I should be.