How do some women stay so small?

Oohlalalala · February 2010

Just curious... I get huge but am normal ppreg... I dont overeat-eat about the same, same level of exercise (little) but everyone is like "you are HUGE" I gather that some women who work out a lot keep it small but I'm also wondering if some women purposely eat a lot less?? I knew one woman at work who worked out every night hard core and skipped 1-2 meals a day drinking coffee instead.

IS that how women stay so small? Eat a lot less and exercise a lot? Or is it genes? (and I'm not talking baby size bc mine was 7lbs last time and I was huge and another woman I know was tiny with an 8lb baby) What are these women doing? (and no I won't follow suit since I eat what I eat, but I just want to know what is up!)

CW<3JW · February 2010

Genes.

IrishBrideND · February 2010

Just because people say you are huge doesn't mean you are huge. I"ve gained 14 pounds total and some people still say that (and some say I'm small). They are just excited about the bump. Its not about how big you are in comparision to other pregnant women.

For me, I just eat healthy. I eat plenty of calories for LO, so its not about skipping meals. I just ate even healthier once I got pregnant because I knew whatever I ate, she ate.

But a lot of other factors play a part (like genetics and such)

miaomi · February 2010

I'm feeling a little irritable tonight, so maybe that's why I'm finding this so offensive. I'm measuring small and have through my whole pregnancy. I started out just under normal weight and have been terribly sick the whole time. So, no I'm not skipping meals and working out. I'm on bedrest and don't get ANY exercise or even normal movement.

This post makes is seem like if you are small you are doing something underhanded and dangerous to your LO to stay small. Nope! So thanks, I'll go back to feeling bad about not being able to eat without puking.

sleepingbeauty825 · February 2010

Don't know. I worked with a girl who was ten weeks ahead of me. I looked much more pregnant than she did, people always commented on it. Unfortunately for me, she had the baby and was back down to her pre-pregnancy size within two weeks... I still have 30 pounds to drop.

jenkm · February 2010

I think it's dumb luck. I'm carrying twins and have been told I'm carrying small - I'm pretty much all belly, and all in front, so I guess I am lucky. I have been eating as much as possible b/c it's so important to put on weight with twins for good birthweights - I've literally had dessert every night of my pregnancy, have been eating eggs for breakfast, whole milk, 2-3 pieces of fruit a day, etc. and it's just turned out this way. Beats me. I will say that I've really been pretty good about sticking to healthy food b/c I don't want my babies developing a taste for french fries or high sugar foods, lol.

I think it's like stretch marks. Either you get them or you don't, it's not about what you do. No amount of cocoa butter can change it.

daniellejeanne35 · February 2010

Genetics and the way your body is built.

My mom had a tilted uterus. Her belly never protruded out that much because I (and my brother) sat further back.

People who say you're huge really aren't thinking. I hate hearing it. It's like wow, why don't you think before you speak?

FemmeNat01 · February 2010

Genes.

Also, just because they may be small doesn't mean they're doing anything dangerous to their baby. I feel huge but because I am having twins. I am pretty small for twins and I have been unable to gain a ton of weight even though I eat a ton. I'm all belly and the weight I've gained has all gone there. I wish I could gain more weight and easier (I am on a high calorie diet plus a ton of protein shakes).

Aknight1986 · February 2010

It's all in the genes, My mother was pre-pregnancy size like two weeks after birth. I don't think I'll get that lucky but I'm pretty sure I'll have it better than some. Don't sweat people's comments though. Some people say I look small some say big. I'm measuring perfectly so they haven't a clue what they are talking about.

MWoodside · February 2010

Genes mostly.

I think height is a factor sometimes, too. For example I'm 5'4" & short-waisted so it seemed like I popped out really early because it has no where else to go.

Paradisemoon · February 2010

You could say I'm on the small side. I've only gained 12 lbs so far. But I'm certainly not starving myself!!! I eat like a horse and admit I don't exercise, unless you count chasing a 3 yr old. I guess its just body type, position of baby and luck! Many woman gain a lot of water weight during pregnancy that adds to the look of being bigger all over so it doesn't mean "huge" women eat to much or are lazy. I think there are better things to worry about then what other people look like.

kjh44 · February 2010

I am 34 1/2 weeks and I weigh just under 120 lbs. I have had a horrible time trying to gain weight over my pregnancy and have only been able to gain 20 lbs. My mother was extremely tiny when she carried all 3 of us kids and her mother was tiny also. She did say she gained a lot more weight than I have but I still have morning sickness and acid reflux so a lot of the time I would vomit right back up what I ate. Fortunately LO is growing just perfectly and the doctors aren't worried (I use to go in crying because I was so stressed that I wasn't gaining weight)... Weird part is, I eat everything in sight but they are still predicting that baby will only be just over 5 lbs which is what my siblings and I weighed at birth.

The women who are doing it purposely are really hurting themselves and their baby! I know some woman have a lot of image issues but I could never think of trying to stay skinny - I want my DD to be healthy as can be!!

GL with everything!

Brewtowngrl · February 2010

Long torso.

cjmorgan · February 2010

There is a woman at my work who is almost 2 weeks ahead of me but looks months behind. Turns out her baby was growing behind and not doing so hot. So personally I would rather be called huge any day and know my baby is healthy.

Just a side note...her baby is doing well now, but do to her LO's small growth at the beginning shes still freakishly small.

kellialayne · February 2010

People keep telling me how small I am and it's kinda annoying. I eat everything in sight and have actually gained 30lbs. I just dont think it really shows on my body. Everytime I tell ppl how far along I am they think I'm lying and make a huge deal out of it. It's also annoying b/c no one can really tell unless I wear something that makes it obvious. Everytime I see an obviously pregnant woman I'm kinda jealous.

giggles8 · February 2010

Brewtowngrl:
Long torso.

this, plus, how the uterus is tipped- and how well your abs were pre pregnancy. oh and of course genetics!

RadicalDreamer143 · February 2010

cjmorgan:

There is a woman at my work who is almost 2 weeks ahead of me but looks months behind. Turns out her baby was growing behind and not doing so hot. So personally I would rather be called huge any day and know my baby is healthy.

Just a side note...her baby is doing well now, but do to her LO's small growth at the beginning shes still freakishly small.

People who look "huge" can have their own set of problems - don't assume they're healthy. Don't think it was appreciated when my u/s tech looked at me, and asked if I had GD (which I do not). It's also not fun that I might not be able to deliver vaginally, being that I have a tiny pelvis and LO is over 7.5lbs right now.

winomom22 · February 2010

People say I am small. They said it when I was pregnant with dd too and I find it slightly irritating, like I am depriving my baby or something which isn't the case at all. My belly just doesn't get very big. I have a long torso and a tilted uterus so that is why. I am also a pear shape so if I gain any weight it goes to my thighs and hips. I am 5'6" and weigh 147 at 31 weeks, I have put on 18lbs so far this pregnancy so I am definitely not depriving myself or my baby. It's all about genetics and your body type. Size of the baby really isn't dependent on the size of the belly.

smittysoup · February 2010

I have a very long torso and I worked out a ton with a personal trainer (lots of ab work) before getting pregnant. I really think that's the main reason people think I still look small.

Other than that, I honestly don't know how I haven't gained a ton of weight. I eat healthy, but I also eat a lot at times, and I haven't cut out desert by any means. I also haven't been exercising really at all other than short walks. I really do think it's just genes.

missw22 · February 2010

It just happens to some of us, my mom got huge when she was pregnant with me and my sisters, but I have remained small enough to be wearing my prepregnancy clothes still. Although I don't work out more than walking and I eat every meal and then some.

doremi29 · February 2010

MWoodside:

Genes mostly.

I think height is a factor sometimes, too. For example I'm 5'4" & short-waisted so it seemed like I popped out really early because it has no where else to go.

This! I'm 5'9 and everyone says how tiny my bump is....I'm actually jealous of all of the ladies here that have nice round bumps. I have a longer torso, so I feel like i have more room than someone who's shorter for the baby to spread out- I could be totally making this up, but it makes sense to me ;-) My SIL is 5'2 and looked about my size when she was about 18 wks.

**Gretchen** · February 2010

I just randomly stayed small. The biggest I measured was 37weeks. I was induced 39w5d because they were worried about iugr. She weighed 6lb6oz at birth and is still just a small kid. H is Spanish, so I think she just has his genes.

I ate a ton, I promise.

jorden&kristin · February 2010

I think it's genes... my mom was tiny (like had to force her belly out for her 8month pictures) during her first two pregnancies. then with me she was a whale! I'm tinyish (imo) but i eat a LOT and am not excersising nearly enough!

anabell0920 · February 2010

I have only gained 20 pounds but am all belly and am only 5 feet. My hips and thighs have actually gotten smaller since pre pregnancy and I was not underweight before. I eat any time I am hungry and am not overly active. I do walk a few miles a week but to keep up my energy for when I go into labor. There is nothing I am "doing" to stay small.

I gotta agree with some others that it's a bit offensive that you would assume that women that are not "huge" are purposely trying to not eat etc to stay that way. I would NEVER endanger my son to stay "small" my body is doing what it is supposed to.

WildcatPrincess · February 2010

I think torso length and that kind of stuff makes more of a difference than genes. My mom was HUGE with all 3 of us, but she's 5 feet tall. By the time she was 4 or 5 months along people were asking if she was overdue. I'm only 5'6, but I also have a long torso and I'm just starting to get comments from strangers. It's weird because I've gained 30 lbs but I honestly don't feel I look it and people keep telling me I'm small for 30 weeks.

BelleIsa · February 2010

MWoodside:
Genes mostly.
I think height is a factor sometimes, too. For example I'm 5'4" & short-waisted so it seemed like I popped out really early because it has no where else to go.

I think it's mostly this.

I'm 5'1" and I've only gained about 5 lbs and it's all belly. I haven't put on weight anywhere else (face, legs, butt etc.). If you saw me from behind, I don't look pregnant at all until I turn around and you see my belly. My mom was like this too and she was back in her old jeans 2 weeks after giving birth, so I'm thinking I may be like this as well.

I don't eat any more/less than I did before and I've always been a healthy eater (high fructise corn syrup is my enemy).

missw22 · February 2010

anabell0920:

I gotta agree with some others that it's a bit offensive that you would assume that women that are not "huge" are purposely trying to not eat etc to stay that way. I would NEVER endanger my son to stay "small" my body is doing what it is supposed to.

This exactly!! All our bodies differ from one another, so don't assume that just because we are smaller while pregnant is due to purposely trying to be small (because I know thats just not the case for me or alot of other women)

MCC1010 · February 2010

Genes and self control. In order to maintain a healthy wieght I have to watch what i eat and work out daily. If I eat right and I do not work out I gain weight. If I look at junk food I gain weight. Also where you gain weight is a factor. My mom gains weight and it goes to her butt, I gain weight and it is distributed evenly from my face down to my toes.

Rache22 · February 2010

i think its genes because everyone in my family has always been smaller.. well at least on my moms side.. and thats the side i take after.. People always ask me how far along i am and when i say 8 months.. they are like no way.. you hve to be only 4 or 5.... sometimes i feel as if they are just being nice.. cause honestly i feel morbidly obese.. especially with the way i eat...

MrsMoody2006 · February 2010

I eat the same things and do the same amount of exercise as I did ppreg, and I'm still at a negative weight gain 8 lbs actually. I lost 20 lbs up until 20 weeks and have put 12 lbs on in the last 12 weeks. I was huge with DD though so I'm not sure how much genes have to do with it. I think it's just how the pregnancy itself progresses

breseezgrl · February 2010

Aknight1986:
ISome people say I look small some say big. I'm measuring perfectly so they haven't a clue what they are talking about.

Exactly this - personally I don't like feeling like my body is on display. It's hard for me not to get irritated by the daily commentary on how big I am, where I am carrying the weight, what I am wearing, etc I could do without some of the attention (though I know people mean well).

Calis · February 2010

wow! I don't think there are many women out there who would purposely do something dangerous for their baby just for the sake of outward appearance!!

I am measuring a bit small and get the wow your so little comments a lot. Honestly that doesn't make me feel good either, it makes me worry my baby isn't growing enough. I have been sick a lot, but now I exercise very little and eat a lot more than i did prepreg. i have gained over 20 lbs but I am also tall so it doesn't stick out as much.

nikkiw421 · February 2010

WildcatPrincess:
I think torso length and that kind of stuff makes more of a difference than genes. My mom was HUGE with all 3 of us, but she's 5 feet tall. By the time she was 4 or 5 months along people were asking if she was overdue. I'm only 5'6, but I also have a long torso and I'm just starting to get comments from strangers. It's weird because I've gained 30 lbs but I honestly don't feel I look it and people keep telling me I'm small for 30 weeks.

This is me exactly. My mom gained 60 pounds with each of us and so far I've gained 24 pounds but I have a long torso and everyone keep commenting on how small I look. I am all belly and still fit into my pre-preg jeans.

I think there are many factors, not just one specific thing and it certainly isn't 'whoever has the biggest belly has the biggest, healthiest baby.' Currently, my baby is measuring 2 weeks ahead, as of our 5th u/s last week.

As long as you are eating healthy and the baby is growing properly, I wouldn't worry about how you look compared to other people. I try not to, even with the comments of how 'small' I am. I know what I'm doing right.

cathylynn1213 · February 2010

Everyone tells me that I'm small-- I don't have a good reference to compare to, so I assume they're right.

A couple of things-- I have a very long torso, I have never gained or lost weight easily, and good genes. I haven't been to the gym since I got pregnant (horrible, I know), and definitely would not do something as dangerous as skips meals or cut calories!

Edit: I am measuring right on track-- so appearances can be deceiving?

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