Is losing weight at 31 weeks a problem?

[Bhiggles]

I am losing weight, whilst eating my usual maintenance calories plus an extra 200 or so (what NHS recommends basically). I'm eating what my body asks for, ie I'm not intentionally depriving myself. In previous pregnancies I have stagnated at this point but not actually lost weight.

I'm BMI 23, and I've lost about 3lb in the last month. I weigh every few days so it isn't just a freak day/water weight etc.

I'm having growth scans so I know baby is growing fine and no problems with low amniotic fluid or similar.

I put on weight earlier in pregnancy and I do have some spare fat so the baby is obviously fuelling growth from that. What I eat is varied and nutritious so vitamins wise should be fine.

Does it actually matter?

I lost weight on a gestational diabetes diet and it was fine according to the midwives. If you and the baby are well, I can't see the problem.

Midwife here. Are you diagnosed as having gestational diabetes? If not, I would contact your midwife and ask them to do a random glucose and HBA1C just to rule it out. I wouldn’t expect someone to be losing weight at this stage, no. Might be worth them checking your thyroid as well. Have you got any other symptoms?

Why are you restricting calories when you're pregnant?

No, I have had a recent random blood glucose, all normal, and a urine dip recently on Mon also normal. No signs of GD, not in my other pregnancies either. No thyroid issues either, that I know of. Presumably I would have other symptoms of overactive thyroid if I had it?

@Devilsmommy I very clearly said I wasn't restricting calories. I am eating what my body asks for, and this is in line with the NHS recommendation for the third trimester.

Well it sounds like the most obviously conditions have been ruled out so you might well be fine and healthy. I would mention it to your midwife when you next see them in case they have any other ideas: and if you lose any more weight, I’d contact your GP as sometimes midwives don’t think if everything as they’re not generalists, they are just specialists in pregnancy. Good luck

@Holdonforsummer thank you very much, I appreciate it. I'll mention it at my 32 week appointment.

Why are you weighing yourself so often?

I lost weight in all my pregnancies, I came out weighing less after each child, but I was overweight to start with. I found a combination of healthier eating due to cravings, not eating what set off my nausea which I had all through pregnancy and no drinking that I lost a lot of weight.

if your having growth scans and know your diet is fine I honestly would not worry about it. Obviously mention it to your midwife but other than that I’m sure it’s all fine.