Scary weight gain?

ebrooke

So I knew I wasn't going to be one of those modelly looking mothers with a thin body and big belly. That was obvious from the beginning...

But I feel like my body is getting fatter every day. Not bigger- fatter. And I hate that I've become preoccupied with this weight gain instead of just enjoying being pregnant. Today I noticed my thighs rubbing together so furiously I thought a forest fire might start. I'm 5'2" and a couple extra pounds is a lot, much less the 20+ I've put on in the last 19 weeks.

It would be one thing if I were close to the end and feeling this big, but I have 19 weeks to go! Any tips/advice on how to deal with this? (FYI- I'm not looking for weight loss advice. I know this is a problem with my perspective). TIA!

RobynK

You just have to remember that as long as you are eating the right things that you are gaining weight for your babies.  As you move further along it's harder to eat and the babies will have to use what you've already gained.

Plus, I think I lost 40 lbs in the first 1-2 weeks after giving birth.  It will come off fast!

Mrs. Destructo

You're growing 2 people. You NEED to gain a lot of weight. The general guideline for twin pregnancies is 1 lb/week. So at 20 weeks, you really want to gain 20 lb (or more!). Seriously.

 Have you read the book When You Are Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads, by Dr Barbara Luke? If not, get it. You'll feel a lot better about your weight gain after reading it.

bearfootz

I was overweight to start with and still had issues with how big I was getting.  It got to where I swore even my ear lobes had fat roles.  It will just get worse and the only thing I can recommend is find some cute clothes to make yourself feel better and just embrace it!  I also splurged on getting my hair done and getting a pedicure, anything to make me feel better even though I looked like a house. 

It really does come off fast though.  I haven't updated my sig yet, but I had the babies a few weeks ago and 30 of the 40 lbs was gone in the first week.  I still have five to go and haven't really tried to lose weight yet...in fact I've been having more cravings than I did when I was pregnant!

ethansbride2b

I'm right there with you.  Same height, 19 weeks, and gained 23 pounds.  I can't imagine how uncomfortable I'm going to feel like by the end.

atc282

I was underweight to begin with and I've had my moments where getting dressed now is a challenge and I just feel plain frumpy. But like other posters said, remember that this PG is unique from a singleton--we are bound to gain more for obvious reasons and just keep in mind (or at least I try to) that it's 100% worth it for these 9 months and hopefully the weight gain will come off after the babies arrive. I ditto the suggestion to go and buy a cute PG outfit that flatters you--play up some accessories (fun earrings or a cute fall scarf) or treat yourself to a maincure, etc.

My sister is PG at the same time as me and she has the cutest lil' singleton pump--it was soooo fun but super frustrating this past wknd when she came in town and we went shopping and everyone kept asking how much further along I was/ how I looked like I was about to bust (she is 3 weeks AHEAD of me!) not to mention how all the PG clothes fit her or she had room in them still vs. me who could barely get them to stretch out over my bump (we were in tears though laughing at this in the dressing rooms, so it's all about attitude, too!!)

Hang in there. Think of how amazing it is that you are carrying more than 1 in there and that it's a temporary state you have this added wt. Keep telling yourself it is all for the sake of having healthy, strong babies and hopefully the good days will outweigh the bad. 

cands

If you gain too much weight you are going to have to diet and struggle to lose it after the babies are born. 

If you don't gain enough weight your babies might not have the nutrients they need to grow as big as they might otherwise, and my perinatologist said that weight is second only to gestational age in predicting health of babies if they are born early. 

Also, you will be amazed how it comes off after birth.  I gained 46 lbs, and lost it all before my 6 week postpardum checkup.

groovygrl

Ditto everyone else...

I think I started to feel better about myself once I was really showing more & the belly was more prominent- you could be all cute & pregnant & the cuter maternity clothes made me feel a lot better!!!!

Also it does come off quickly like everyone said- I am 5 weeks postpartum & have about 5 lbs to go to my prepg weight, and I think I was at this point by about 3 weeks postpartum!

GL! 

blossom

I can totally relate. I felt like you at around 18-19 weeks. Just try and remember that you HAVE to gain weight, actually more weight since you're growing two babies. Do not compare yourself to people having singletons.

I almost had a breakdown a few weeks ago as a nurse in my OB's office (who didn't know i was having twins) chastised me for gaining 13lbs in a month. Thank god DH came to my defense as he knew my eating habits. Ironically, I haven't gained any weight since, and so far I've gained 23 lbs at 23 weeks, which I think is ok for a twin pg.

Just make sure you're eating healthy and you should be okay unless your doctor says otherwise. In the meantime, go shopping for some cute maternity stuff. That's what's helped me. :-)

 

nygrl79

Thanks for posting this.  I'm 5'1" and expect to have the same situation soon enough.  I read the Dr. Luke's book and you are right on track with the weight gain guidelines there.  It is difficult to see your body change so drastically in such a short time and I expect to feel the same way that you do, but just keep telling yourself that it is all for the purpose of big fat and healthy babies.

macchiatto

Mrs. Destructo:

You're growing 2 people. You NEED to gain a lot of weight. The general guideline for twin pregnancies is 1 lb/week. So at 20 weeks, you really want to gain 20 lb (or more!). Seriously.

 Have you read the book When You Are Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads, by Dr Barbara Luke? If not, get it. You'll feel a lot better about your weight gain after reading it.

Ditto this. Her suggestions vary depending on what point you're at in pregnancy but I think it was 1.5-2 lbs/week in the first two trimesters b/c after that most women pregnant with multiples find it hard to eat much so the weight gain slows down. She really encourages trying to gain 24 lbs by 24 weeks (if I remember correctly) so you're doing great!

ebrooke

Thanks everyone! This was so helpful!

I feel like nobody "gets it." Everybody I know keeps encouraging me to work out, cut back calories, etc., which I feel is not helpful and could be dangerous. I feel like I'm making healthy choices and I just needed a perspective check. I have Dr. Luke's book but I haven't picked it up in a couple months. I'll go check it out again!

ethansbride2b

ebrooke:

Everybody I know keeps encouraging me to work out, cut back calories, etc., which I feel is not helpful and could be dangerous.

Don't listen to those people.  Singleton pregnancies and multiple pregnancies are very different and your right, it could be dangerous to cut back calories.  I think your doing great.

eileenm21

I am right there with you - I am same height and at 16.5 weeks i guess I have now gained about 20 lbs - my dr did not even comment at the last apt.  neither did the nurses, but i did ask and they had said they would have really liked that I gained 4 pounds in the last month instead of 6.  I eat pretty well and I also think for me its a real lifestyle change in terms of eating and exercise.  I was about a 4/6 to start which I only kept because I was an avid runner, spinner, kickboxing - whateverI could get my hands on to make me sweat!  i loved it.  of course once IVF hit, they cut all of that out.  I also aimed for about 1400 calories a day because that was my good calorie count to maintain my weight and size.  Now of course, I eat a lot more heartier - like 2000 calories and am not allowed to do anything more than walking.  I was bound to gain a little extra beause of those twho things.  I know I am dreading taking it off, but I would rather have 5-10 more pounds to lose at the end because I know I can do it, than not eat right and gain weight for my little ones.