Recommended weight gain?

shyviolet101 · March 2014

I'm at 16 weeks and so far I've gained 5 lbs (from 155 to 160). Last week my OB seemed genuinely concerned about my weight gain and stated that she only wanted me to gain 10 lbs TOPS. I get it.. I'm 5'3 and starting out overweight (granted, I gained 50 with my previous son but I lost all 50 within 6 months after birth), but that means I can only gain 5 more pounds the rest of my pregnancy? That seems darn near impossible... the baby, etc. is going to weigh MORE than 5 lbs so that means I essentially have to lose weight in the process. Anyone else have experience with this kind of recommendation and managed to limit their weight gain successfully?

brittneyandadam · March 2014

I'm 5'6" and started my pregnancy at 222 (at BFP). I was told to only gain 10-15 lbs and I've already gained 8. The nutritionist upped my calories and even though I'm eating healthy, I'm still putting it on. The OB didn't express concern at my 16 week appt, which was surprising. I'd talk to your doc and see if they have any suggestions for you. Just remember, you're only supposed to be eating 300 more calories than you were pre pregnancy and you should be trying to fit in some exercise like walking.

Stacylarae · March 2014

10 lbs seems really low to me. I don't know how much you weigh, but the article I read with the American college of obstetricians and gynecologists says Overweight women should gain 15-25, and obese women 11-20 lbs. it says women who are not overweight should gain 25-35 lbs. I think 10 lbs is too little, but I'm not a doctor.

shyviolet101 · March 2014

I actually eat pretty healthy, I walk and jog, and I don't crave junk food. The only reason I'm starting overweight (155) is because I miscarried right before I got pregnant again, so it's almost like I've been pregnant since September. I kind of thought 5 lbs is pretty healthy weight gain for the first 16 weeks, but I've also read that you shouldn't have gained any weight in your first trimester. For the life of me I can't figure out how to lose weight the rest of this pregnancy other than skipping meals.

brittneyandadam · March 2014

Don't aim to lose weight or skip meals. Keep up the healthy eating and ask the doc what they suggest. Everyone's body reacts differently to the hormones.

Milo5181 · March 2014

If you're eating healthy and exercising, and not giving into junk food, I don't see what else you should be doing. So I would keep doing that, and ignore your doctor. 5 lbs in 16 weeks is fine--your blood volume is increasing, hormones are doing wack things with your appetite--so feed your body what it needs, and it will come off after baby.

shyviolet101 · March 2014

Thanks y'all! I think I'm going to personally aim for 15-25 because that is SO much more realistic to me without having to worry about it. I don't know why my OB was so adamant about 10 lbs, and if I only end up gaining 10 then great, but I don't want to have to diet or restrict myself. Thanks for the sanity check, ladies.

ang2016 · March 2014

shyviolet101 said:

I'm at 16 weeks and so far I've gained 5 lbs (from 155 to 160). Last week my OB seemed genuinely concerned about my weight gain and stated that she only wanted me to gain 10 lbs TOPS. I get it.. I'm 5'3 and starting out overweight (granted, I gained 50 with my previous son but I lost all 50 within 6 months after birth), but that means I can only gain 5 more pounds the rest of my pregnancy? That seems darn near impossible... the baby, etc. is going to weigh MORE than 5 lbs so that means I essentially have to lose weight in the process. Anyone else have experience with this kind of recommendation and managed to limit their weight gain successfully?

I weigh a lot more than 155 pre pregnancy and I was told it was ok to gain 20... 10 seems a little ridiculious!

MeNV · March 2014

Whoa, 10 lbs seems so low! I wouldn't stress too much about it. If you are eating reasonably well, then there really isn't much control you have over how your body reacts to pregnancy. Good luck!

emmylu30 · March 2014

I am also really confused on your doc's recommended weight gain. As long as you're eating healthy (which I'm sure you are since you've only gained 5 lbs) I wouldn't be too worried about it. My last pregnancy I started out around 155 (5'4) and my doctor did not have a problem with me gaining 25 lbs which I lost all within 12 weeks postpartum. This pregnancy I started out a little bit less and also had gained 5 lbs at the 16 week mark which I think is totally in the normal range. My doctor said absolutely nothing to me about it.

ashaw512 · March 2014

My Dr didn't give a recommended weight gain? Sound kinda silly. I didn't gain any in first tri, 16 weeks here and only gained two pounds. Dr says he doesn't think anyone should gain anything in first tri and he would prefer it. He has no concerns with me BC I'm healthy, no exercise, definitely don't eat healthy. But if your Dr isn't concerned then you shouldn't be either. I don't think you should concentrate on a certain weight gain. Your pregnant you are going to gain weight and lose it and gain it back, there's a baby growing there. Just eat. And exercise if you want.

Eta: can't spell

chardonnay24 · March 2014

I've gained 5 lbs so far, and my midwife is pleased with it. I was told to gain 20-25 overall.

drae86 · March 2014

well, i'm back to not pooping so now it seems weight gain has skyrocketed! didn't gain any in first trimester (16 weeks now) and saying i gained 7. not sure i can drink much more prune juice......by far worst part about being pregnant

Laceyrm06 · March 2014

I'm 5'7" and was 140lbs when we got our BFP. My doctor said that I should expect to gain 25-30 lbs for this pregnancy.

Generally, I would say to go by what your doctor says, but if you have concerns I would definitely bring them up.

shyviolet101 · March 2014

drae86 said:

well, i'm back to not pooping so now it seems weight gain has skyrocketed! didn't gain any in first trimester (16 weeks now) and saying i gained 7. not sure i can drink much more prune juice......by far worst part about being pregnant

UGH I feel your pain! I go 3-5 days without pooping. It's so painful. My OB did say that Colace is ok now that we're in the 2nd trimester.

JSS1002 · April 2014

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but that is CRAZYTALK. I'm like 220 and my doc told mke with last pregnancy and this one to try to keep the weight gain between 15-25 lbs. I managed to do about 30 lbs last pregnancy (which I lost all of, immediately, plus about 20), and hope to do the same this time around. Be nice to yourself. Your doc sounds way over-the-top strict about weight, and that sounds really hard.

RedBaramid · April 2014

I am only 5'2" and pre-pregnancy I weighed about 225. I had already dropped to 116 at my first appointment, at my second I was down 112. Last time I worked I was at 210 (a week ago). They told me they only wanted me to gain 10 pounds to my pre-pregnancy weight, which would end me up at 235. I've been steadily loosing a couple of pounds a week, sometimes faster sometimes slower, but I think the losing is slowing down now that we've hit second tri. That would put me at gaining 25 pounds for the entire ordeal, which I honestly feel is more than adequate given my size. I am trying to make better choices now that I am holding down more food and I have crazy upped my water intake, especially when I suddenly feel like I could eat a zebra. I am for sure not starving myself, I am just trying to not exceed that 300 calorie suggested intake. That being said I think I am going to have a bowl of ice cream because my head hurts and I feel like it.

Edited because I didn't loose 109 pounds... sadly.. lol.

peanutbuttervibes · April 2014

@RedBaramid‌ you lost 109 lbs?

Soogerplum · April 2014

I wouldn't personally pay attention to a number on a scale. I'd just try to make more better food choices than poor ones, stay active as long as you're able to, and not stress about some silly number because I don't think that number is realistic and is only setting you up for stress and disappointment. Just trust your body. You're making a baby

RedBaramid · April 2014

alexisann4250 oops, lol. No that should still be a 210. I wish I could magically loose 109 pounds though, I'd be smokin'

FloridaSun82 · April 2014

https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/eatingfortwo.html

10 is very low... Is it at all possible you didn't hear the doctor correctly?

purplestarz · April 2014

Just to agree with pp that seems crazy. My OB gave us a chart based on BMI how much to gain. I am considered overweight and I think my range was 11-25 pounds. I've gained 2 so far (16 weeks) and she was happy since I had lost those 2 in the first trimester (so I guess you could say I'm back to "0".). I would talk to you doctor and tell them your concerns since it doesn't seem realistic for you.

MrsKasel10 · April 2014

I would bring up your concern in your next appointment, 10 seems low especially since you are in a normal weight range. Just eat healthy.

Shanadoll · April 2014

I was told to gain no more than 15lbs the whole pregnancy and I am considered obese. I am down 2lbs from when I got my BFP but I am still nervous about staying at that 15lb mark. I try to eat as healthy as possible but it's so hard as everything healthy tastes awful to me right now. My taste buds are really betraying me.

10lbs seems pretty low, I would definitely bring it up at your next appointment.

mapchick77 · April 2014

drae86 said:

well, i'm back to not pooping so now it seems weight gain has skyrocketed! didn't gain any in first trimester (16 weeks now) and saying i gained 7. not sure i can drink much more prune juice......by far worst part about being pregnant

@drae86 I'm not sure if it would make much of a difference for you but I am having some success with regularity by eating prunes instead of drinking prune juice. I was terribly, terribly blocked up with my first pregnancy and Colace didn't seem to do much when I actually did have to go. This time I started early trying to keep things moving with diet. I eat the Sunsweet Cherry Essence prunes as a regular snack and they really don't taste bad at all.

hfgiles920 · April 2014

I started overweight so not "suppose" to gain a lot, but so far I haven't actually gained any. Like someone already said everyone reacts differently and so far I've been like my mom who didn't really start gaining until the end of the second trimester which I'm getting close to. I'll be 20 wks next week. I've checked out at my doctors and midwife appointments so I'm not worried, my body is just adjusting differently than some people.

I agree that 10lbs seems low so I'd express to your doctor that you've heard, read, or whatever that you're suppose to gain more than that she ask why she's saying you shouldn't be. Maybe your circumstances are different? With discussing with her to at least understand why she expects that.

drae86 · April 2014

@mapchick77, thanks! I'll have to try the prunes. Been drinking the juice but it hasn't seemed to help too much. Last week I literally was eating almost like a cleanse or detox (with enough calories of course) to get things moving, lots of salads and raw veggies, fruits etc with chix or eggs and cut out bread and milk and cheese but this is not ideal for long term but i had to do something!!!

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