Struggling with weight gain

samanthapb1988

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and struggling with gaining weight too fast. I've done all the calorie calculations and I'm still gaining weight at a faster pace than I should be. Right now I am currently 10 lbs overweight what I should be for as far along as I am. I have always been small and have never had to diet or really exercise at all. This has really taken a toll on my self esteem and I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to lose it after the birth. Is there anyone who is or has gone through a similar situation and has any suggestions for improving this? Thanks!

inamra

I wouldn't worry too much about it, esp if you've always been small and haven't had weight issues before. I'm normally of average build (and I gain weight relatively easily, although I sometimes hide it well because I'm not very short). When I got pg, I had hyperemesis and lost 10lbs+, but when I hit 20 weeks I was able to eat pretty well (esp since I was on medication) and I gained back all the weight I lost PLUS an additional 15lbs! By 28 weeks or so, I was gaining 2 pounds a week. My OB even told me (nicely) that it was great that I gained back the weight I had lost but I'm making up for it too much and I can slow down now =P For me, my 2nd tri is when I gained a TON of weight and then I mellowed out towards the end and ended up gaining 36lbs total by the time I delivered (46lbs+ if you count the 10lbs+ I lost in the beginning). Plus, if you're planning to breastfeed, you'll lose all that weight and maybe even more. I haven't exercised AT ALL (in fact, I'm the most sedentary I've been in my life, unfortunately) since I gave birth and I've been at my pre-pg weight for the last 1.5 months now, just from breastfeeding, which burns tons of calories, even though I still eat about the same as I did when I was pg because I'm hungry all the time. So I wouldn't worry too much if I were you, esp since you're nurturing your LO right now...it's most important that you stay healthy.

vanilla15

I agree with pp...everybody is different & you are growing another person right now.  Your baby might be going through a growth spurt right now so he/she is growing a little faster than normal.  i gained 40lbs during my pg & my dr said that is perfectly normal.  She said there is a wide range of "normal" so every pg woman (and even every pg) is very different.

Don't worry about the weight gain now...just focus on keeping you & your growing baby healthy!  The extra weight will come off after your LO arrives! 

MrsIH

Please don't worry, we are all different.  In regards to weight loss after baby, I lost 20+ lbs the week after LO was born.  Focus on the baby you are growing rather than the # on the scale, as long as you are doing that nothing else should matter (as much)

MrsZiz

MrsIH:

Please don't worry, we are all different.   Focus on the baby you are growing rather than the # on the scale

Are you eating junk all day and night? If the answer is no, then don't worry about it!! So many people get caught up with the number on the scale, it's shocking, I know because it's numbers most of us have never seen before. I gained 26lbs with my daughter (I delivered 5 weeks early so I was on track to gain around 30lbs) and lost it all fairly quickly. I was breastfeeding and barely working out and eating whatever was available quickly. I gained 8lbs in April when I was 8 weeks pregnant and ended up miscarrying. I lost 3 lbs of that before we got pregnant again. I was depressed after my m/c and was eating awful so I'm not surprised I didn't lose it. This time I'm 20 weeks pregnant and I'm up about 7 lbs or so... I'm growing a person!! It's an amazing thing, embrace it and enjoy every.single.minute!  I was VERY sick my first 14 weeks and just started eating better around 15-16 weeks. It was tough but I made it through. I'm not worrying about the #'s, I'm worrying about trying to put good food in my body to benefit the baby. To be completely honest, I feel most sexy with my round belly and curves, carrying a baby is a big deal!! Every person is different and needs to gain a different amount of weight in order to sustain the pregnancy and grow a healthy child.