Question about weight gain

hroyer1998

So in these pregnancy books, they talk about how the typical weight gain for someone with a normal BMI is about 25-30 lbs (gives a specific breakdown of baby, body fat, pregnancy fluids etc.).  This is if you are eating healthy and everything.  So if you have a high BMI - like 32+, how is it that you are eating right and you aren't supposed to gain as much weight?  I don't understand why I wouldn't gain the 25-30 lbs given the weight of the baby and such.   It is recommended that I gain only 15 lbs.  Do I even that much control over the situation?  My focus is on having a healthy baby.

Sorry if it sounds silly but I keep reading and hearing this and I am confused.

delem

I think it's because some of that weight comes from extra fat that your body accumulates throughout the 9 months. Someone with a higher BMI doesn't need that extra fat because it would already exist. I'm assuming...I really don't know.  

2010mommy!

i think they're assuming/suggesting that someone a little overweight/higher bmi would lose some weight to get healthier during pregnancy. that would account for gaining only 15, vs 25-30. but i could be wrong...

jess60

delem:

I think it's because some of that weight comes from extra fat that your body accumulates throughout the 9 months. Someone with a higher BMI doesn't need that extra fat because it would already exist. I'm assuming...I really don't know.  

This is what I figure, too.

bancbev

Its assumed that if your BMI is above the "normal" range that your caloric intake is higher than what your body needs (right or wrong).  Therefore if you start eating better/less than you are now you will gain less weight because you are actually losing weight from the better/less eating.  If you eat the same/more than prior to getting pregnant then you will gain more than the reccommended 15 lbs.  It's simple law of food intake versus energy output.

LEE0908

I think it also has to do with the fact that if you are already overweight, your body will not store as much fat because it already has some. Slimmer people don't have those necessary stores so their bodies go into overdrive to build them. Your body won't do that as much (in theory.)

rlscheck

When you break down the recommended weight gain of 25 - 30#, 5 - 7# of that is supposed to be fat.  Due to a higher BMI you don't need that extra fat.  Plus your body should use some of it's calorie stores to build other tissue (baby, uterus, blood, etc) which would therefore mean you don't gain the weight, but are just redistributing tissues.

hroyer1998

Thanks ladies for some feedback - for whatever reason I couldn't wrap my mind around it.  Hey if I can have a beautiful healthy baby AND lose some weight in the process - I call that a win win situation  

jennigator3

bancbev:

Its assumed that if your BMI is above the "normal" range that your caloric intake is higher than what your body needs (right or wrong).  Therefore if you start eating better/less than you are now you will gain less weight because you are actually losing weight from the better/less eating.  If you eat the same/more than prior to getting pregnant then you will gain more than the reccommended 15 lbs.  It's simple law of food intake versus energy output.

I think that this is exactly right