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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When is it normal to start putting on weight?

29 replies

birdofthenorth · 17/02/2010 15:00

Hi all

Just wondering what's a normal stage to start seeing differences in your weight? I imagine it varies hugely, but would love to know roughly what to expect.

I'm now 14 weeks and haven't gained anything yet, although I'm pretty big in the first place (BMI 27) so I'm hoping the baby can survive off my existing fat stores for a while!!

I assume the slimmer you are the earlier you gain weight?

Is there a time when you should worry about NOT gaining weight?

Or is there a week in pregnancy after which you can expect to start gaining weight fairly steadily, eg half a pound a week? Or does it all happen quickly when the baby has a growth spurt?

Would love to here your experiences!

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MPuppykin · 17/02/2010 15:09

I Hope it is half a pound a week!

I did not gain weight at all until 19 weeks. (I am 21 weeks). My BMI is 25, and I just looked as if I had eaten a big bowl of pasta for lunch. Then suddenly at 20 weeks I just popped out completely. 6 pounds on in 2 weeks- and all on my front. I am a bit worried that this is going to how it is ... 3 pounds a week?

lifeistooshort · 17/02/2010 15:09

watching this thread with interest as I haven't put any weight on yet either (am about 18 or 19 weeks) and with my previous DC I had put one more than a stone by this stage so this is very alien to me and a bit worrying too.

Original poster

birdofthenorth · 17/02/2010 17:06

Hmm, not an overwhelming response so far, but thanks you two for your help!

Mpuppy -that's a similar tale to my SIL, she said she just popped out at 18 weeks -but then she also went on holiday that week so I'm guessing ate rather a lot too!!

OP posts:

Meglet · 17/02/2010 17:10

I was underweight at the start of both my pregnancies and piled on the weight very fast. 1 stone in the first 2 months, 3 stone by the end of the pregnancies. Maternity clothes from about 10 weeks both times.

But I was scoffing a lot of carbs both times. Some skinny women don't seem to gain much at all.

belgo · 17/02/2010 17:11

I lost a stone in weight in my first pregnancy in the first three months and it was ages and ages before I started to put on weight and regained that weight. In the last month I suddenly put on loads of weight.

It's perfectly normal not to have put on any weight at 14 weeks, healthy even, if you were slightly overweight in the first place.

BusyMissIzzy · 17/02/2010 17:13

I didn't gain anything in my first trimester. BMI was about 20 so I was pretty slim. Now I have put on about 2.5 stone . I think it was pretty steady once I did start gaining. Some people don't put on much weight; if the baby is growing normally it's not cause for concern.

mrswarthog · 17/02/2010 17:19

I was overweight at the start of my last pregnancy and ended it about 7lbs heavier. With a 9lb baby girl. Only put that 7lb on in the last month. Its more about eating healthily than anything else, if your measurements are ok, you'll be fine.

lifeistooshort · 17/02/2010 17:22

Mrswarthog and belgo I assumed your babies were fine and normal weight?

Original poster

birdofthenorth · 17/02/2010 17:52

Oh v helpful responses, thanks all.

Mrswathog -v. interesting- did you lose non-baby weight due to dieting or nausea or neither? From a health perspective I'm keen not to put on much weight myslef but obviously at some stage not putting on weight might make you worry about the baby's growth.

I'm eating normally (fairly healthy with the odd treat) but I think giving up booze is helping me stay the same weight (was a glass-of-red-most-nights gal pre-pregnancy).

OP posts:

mummyof2byapril · 17/02/2010 18:02

To OP
I had a similar BMI, am now 32 weeks and I weigh a stone less that when i got pregnant.
It's because I've just gone off most food and had sickness.
It's not a problem, I still have a layer of blud protecting baby and baby takes what baby needs regardless.

mummyof2byapril · 17/02/2010 18:03

blub! not blud :-s

belgo · 17/02/2010 18:05

oh yes dd was 7 pound 10 (3.495 kg)

Biw · 17/02/2010 19:21

Most people don't put on any weight in the first trimester (ie up to 13 weeks-ish) as eating is generally a chore when you're feeling sickly, except of course women who's weight is kept artificially low (when not pregnant) simply because they deny themselves the food they need and/or excercise heavily. Let's not forget the baby is no more than a couple of inches long!

Generally you put on less in your first pregnancy - i didn't put on any weight until week 20 then it was about 1lb a week after that. With my 2nd pregnancy the weight starting piling on from week 15ish. I'm now 24 weeks and have put on 10lbs so far which I'm not overly thrilled about.

hippopo · 17/02/2010 19:38

Hmmmmmmmmmm this thread makes me feel a bit like a fatty!

My BMI before was 26 and I dont think I put on anything in first 12 weeks but then Christmas came! I am now 20 weeks and have put on about 10lbs. But I guess each pregnancy is different and I have found that from 6 -16 weeks I needed to eat every 2 or 3 hours to stop nausea.

I wouldn't worry but I am a little envious!

weehector · 17/02/2010 20:39

I'm 16 weeks and still 1/2 a stone down on on pre-pregnancy weight due to sickness & nausea in first 12 weeks and probably, the lack of calories that I usually got from my wine habit. However, I now have a football belly. Guess we're all different...but not worrying that I haven't put on weight yet...quite the reverse!

thislittlesisterlola · 17/02/2010 20:44

im 20 wks and have had a bump for about 2 weeks. I do have a football tummy now. My bmi is 20 or 21- baby brain, i cant remember!

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 17/02/2010 20:49

This calculator should be very useful to you, all you have to do is enter your current weight, height and how many weeks you are and it will tell you how much you should have gained and what weight you should get too by the time you give birth.

sobloodystupid · 17/02/2010 20:53

I'm expecting number 3 and am 24 weeks, have put on about 15/16 Ibs. My normal BMI is about 22 and with my first and second pregnancies I put on four stone each time.
Hoping I'll be one of the mums slinking out of hospital in my size 6 jeans and louboutins - not!

sobloodystupid · 17/02/2010 21:00

forgot to say thatdd was 7 Ibs 6 oz, ds was 9 Ibs

Petsville · 17/02/2010 22:18

I'm 15 weeks with no. 1 and have put on 3lbs so far (think it's all my boobs as I've gone up three cup sizes already). What's slightly concerning me is that that's happened within 2 weeks after no weight gain at all for the first 13 (and I wasn't sick, so haven't been doing anything differently from normal).

Petsville · 17/02/2010 22:19

Sorry, should have said - my BMI was 20 pre-pregnancy.

LadyCressida · 17/02/2010 23:12

My BMI was 27 too. By week 12, I was about 4lb lighter (combination of sickness and not consuming 2000 cals of alchohol each week ).

I'm now 26 weeks and still only half a stone more than I was at week 5. The midwife doesn't seem at all bothered though and isn't weighing me - I think everyone is so different they don't want to worry you unnecessarily.

I'm just trying not to eat loads more than normal - doesn't help with everyone telling me I'm eating for two and trying to force food on me!

Original poster

birdofthenorth · 18/02/2010 11:19

This has been really helpful everyone, thanks!

LadyCressida if I can get to 26 weeks and only have put on half a stone I'll be a very happy bunny!

Good to hear weight gain doesn't necessarily relate to the baby's birthweight or how healthy our midwife thinks you are.

I'm now much less worried however much or little I gain!

OP posts:

Anifersgirl · 18/02/2010 14:02

I have to say I'm a bit panicky myself - I was 21 BMI before pregnant, and lost about 4lbs in the first trimester - I was a bit sick, but not massively. I'm now 18 weeks and am still 4 lbs lighter than before I got pregnant, but my boobs and tummy both seem huge and I can't fit into any of my pre-pregnancy clothes.

I'm also stressing as I I haven't felt the baby move yet, and I thought you were supposed to feel it sooner if you were thinner to begin with?

Basically I'm a big bag of stress, stuffing myself with mars bars and jumping on the scales ever five minutes to see if I've gained any weight yet.

this is my first btw..

minxofmancunia · 18/02/2010 14:25

Hmm, at 13 weeks with ds I was lighter than when i started (9 stone down from about 9 and 4lb) and had a bmi of 19.

I don't know how mush I put on after that as i deliberaelt never weighed myself, I had a huge bump and boobs but lost weight on my bum, arms and legs. As dh said I was a skinny pregnant women. I looked like a comedy pg wpman with mu huge bump! Just aftre birth I had a bit of a belly but was pretty scrawny elsewhere. Ds 8lb 9oz, little chubber!

However now since stopping bf at 4.5 months (he's 5 months now) and being back o the wine I've definitely become more "curvy" time to hit the gym unfortunately.

Ds was my 2nd pg, with my 1st dd 3 years ago I was chubbier and had a smaller baby (6lb 8oz) and wasn't so thin afterwards. Don't know whether it's something to do with the differences in girl/boy hormones.

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