Suggest amount of weight gain...thoughts?

oxymoron1 · October 2011

Everything I've been reading has said that typical weight gain for a first pregnancy is 25-35lbs. While at the dr. yesterday I asked her about it and she told me that I shouldn't gain more than 15-20lbs. I'm not overweight at all and I'm a very active person/heatlhy eater. I'm paranoid now because 15-20lbs doesn't seem like that much. Basically I now have thoughts of having to eat spinach for the next 9 months. With no dressing.

Anyways, has anyone else been told to gain a smaller amount? I'm slightly obsessing about this. And by slightly I mean completely.

allisonmarie22 · October 2011

I'm certainly no professional, but that sounds ridiculous to me.

shanpren · October 2011

I'd ask her why she's recommending that you gain less than the guidelines for your BMI. That's strange.

baker916 · October 2011

Everything I've read or been told is that 25-35 lbs is normal and healthy if you are at a healthy weight to begin with. Usually the 15-20 lbs number is if you're overweight when you get pregnant. I think your doctor just gave you the wrong numbers.

oxymoron1 · October 2011

baker916:
Everything I've read or been told is that 25-35 lbs is normal and healthy if you are at a healthy weight to begin with. Usually the 15-20 lbs number is if you're overweight when you get pregnant. I think your doctor just gave you the wrong numbers.

I hope so! I've been thinking/worrying about it all morning.

Blackvelvet · October 2011

You look skinny in your picture so I'm not sure why your doctor said that. I know it's possible not to gain much though I was under 5 pounds gain last time but I was also over weight to start with. I'm not as overwieght this time (starting 15 pounds less then last time) but I will still try to not gain much it's hard to loose it

oxymoron1 · October 2011

Blackvelvet:
You look skinny in your picture so I'm not sure why your doctor said that. I know it's possible not to gain much though I was under 5 pounds gain last time but I was also over weight to start with. I'm not as overwieght this time (starting 15 pounds less then last time) but I will still try to not gain much it's hard to loose it

And you are now my BFF! Big Smile

HLHARRIS14 · October 2011

I'm petite as well and I was just at the doctor this morning. She told me 25-35lbs. I know some people only gain 15-20 but I wouldnt go by that amount.

HRTB16 · October 2011

This is one of the things that I think you can relax about. During a time when everything is so stressful, just eat fairly healthy, stay as active as possible, and try to avoid the scale!!

MrsColvin · October 2011

25 lbs will be all baby anything over 35 is gonna be hard to get off. But you do look taller in your picture so you may find you won't gain as much this has been true for my cousin who is 5'10". But don't stress about the weight gain. Keep yourself healthy eat well and exercise and you'll be fine no matter the number.

moocow12 · October 2011

Last time around I was on the low end of my weight range starting out, so my doctor said she was fine with me gaining 35-40 lbs. I ended up gaining over 50 lbs, but it was a steady gain so and my sugar levels and blood pressure were great so she never made mention of the excess gain. I was nervous I was going to have a hard time after, but I lost all but 5 lbs within 5 months of giving birth.

I agree with a previous poster- you look skinny! 15-20 lbs doesn't seem like enough weight to me!

Alexandra0223 · October 2011

I know a girl who just had her baby.

She is a vegetarian, doesnt drink, and a professional healthy cook. She has ran 3 marathons.

She worked out throughout her pregnancy (weightlifting) and walked at least 3 miles a day up until her due date. Pretty much the healthiest person ever. Even SHE gained 30 lbs.

I am not as slim as you, but my view is that I am going to eat as healthy as I can and try my best to be good (and allow for a few slip ups). My body will do what it wants.

glaw · October 2011

Alexandra0223:

I know a girl who just had her baby.

She is a vegetarian, doesnt drink, and a professional healthy cook. She has ran 3 marathons.

She worked out throughout her pregnancy (weightlifting) and walked at least 3 miles a day up until her due date. Pretty much the healthiest person ever. Even SHE gained 30 lbs.

I am not as slim as you, but my view is that I am going to eat as healthy as I can and try my best to be good (and allow for a few slip ups). My body will do what it wants.

Are you talking about Emily on Daily Garnish? I love her blog. She is so amazing and what an inspiration! And yes, she was super healthy but gained 30 pounds and it did not look like excess weight.

cchill01 · October 2011

My doctor never really gave me a target. I wouldn't worry too much - what are they going to do refuse to treat you? Eat healthy, stay active, you'll be fine.

oxymoron1 · October 2011

Thanks guys! You've made me feel better. I think I'll just stick to my normal healthy eating habits and gym routine. AND...stay away from the scale. I don't need to stress over this.

ReeceFamily · October 2011

My OB said a pound a week from my first appt at eight weeks, so that's a total weight gain of 32-33 pounds. You look fairly slim in your photo, I have only heard recommendations that low for ladies who start out heavier to begin with. That doesn't seem right!

RSClementine · October 2011

First of all 15-20 is crazy. It is only normal for someone who is very overweight. 25-35 is healthy. I gained 40 with my last pregnancy (I'm 5'0" and started at 120lbs) Within 9 months of having my son it all came off and then some, no excercise or major effort involved either.

I think that as long as you eat healthy and listen to your body, you will gain what your baby needs you to gain. Don't stress about it.

sheilatakesabow · October 2011

Re: your doctor's advice. I was just reading an article about a study in New Zealand and how some think the normal recommendations are too high.

I agree that you look skinny and shouldn't worry, but this may be where your doctor was coming from.

https://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1978193,00.html

jackieconser · October 2011

Like the other ladies said, 15-20 for over weight, and up to 35 for a normal weight. I believe in France, the recommend 12 pounds. Maybe she's french!

I gained 55 with my first son, and 35 with my second (my job is really physical, so i think thats why i gained less). My doctor never said there were any problems with my gaining 55 pounds. Everything was healthy and perfect. Obviously, you should try to avoid stuffing your face the entire pregnancy, but i believe youre body is going to gain what it feels is necessary. Its so hard not to worry about it, but try not to. It takes a lot of work, but it will come off!

Alexandra0223 · October 2011

glaw:
Alexandra0223:

I know a girl who just had her baby.

She is a vegetarian, doesnt drink, and a professional healthy cook. She has ran 3 marathons.

She worked out throughout her pregnancy (weightlifting) and walked at least 3 miles a day up until her due date. Pretty much the healthiest person ever. Even SHE gained 30 lbs.

I am not as slim as you, but my view is that I am going to eat as healthy as I can and try my best to be good (and allow for a few slip ups). My body will do what it wants.

Are you talking about Emily on Daily Garnish? I love her blog. She is so amazing and what an inspiration! And yes, she was super healthy but gained 30 pounds and it did not look like excess weight.

Sorry about all of the strange posts, i will try to fix them (for some reason they wont delete).

ANYWAY yes, i am talking about Emily! We went to college together. I havent seen her in years, but i follow her blog too!

Eddy1 · October 2011

Maybe she was just giving you an ideal. Like if the world was perfect I think you should gain 20lbs. It is hard to hit the ideal though.

I am short and thin and I gained 35 lbs with my first. I could have gained less because I stopped working out and wasn't great about eating.

I would love to hit the 20-25 range this time. We shall see!

The biggest thing is don't stress.

m&t+1 · October 2011

That doesn't sound right. What I've heard from friends who have had kids, 15-20lbs covers just what is gained from baby itself (and lost immediately at birth)...baby's weight, placenta, amniotic fluid, increased amount of blood in your system, etc. To not gain any extra anywhere else seems unrealistic and almost a little dangerous to try and control when you're supposed to be nourishing yourself and baby.

Either way, if you are active you will most likely lose any extra baby weight easily even if you gain more than the typical 25-35. Don't stress!!

SummerMama12 · October 2011

I am always leery of docs giving out numbers like this. Having been pregnant once before and having seen a number of my friends go through it, I've come to the conclusion that your body gains what it needs to gain (assuming eating in moderation and staying normally active).

During my first pregnancy, my doc never once mentioned a number and never told me what I was gaining week to week. She just kept it general ("you're right on target" - things like that). I gained 30 lbs and am an average size. I have had friends who also are average and eat healthy gain closer to 40 lbs. One friend is a runner and gained 52 lbs because she was petite to begin with. It's all in your body type/body chemistry, IMO.

Unless you have a specific health/weight issue that needs to be monitored more closely, I feel like these numbers just make women stress unnecessarily.

fribu · October 2011

I could have written this exact post verbatim! My dr suggested the same amount of weight gain. Let me tell you the 3 lbs I'm already carrying around extra has my head spinning! At this rate I'll definitely exceed 20 lbs. I'm also with in normal BMI and also very active.

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