Weight gain

marnief · April 2014

I am still gaining weight too fast. I'm 18 weeks today. 2 weeks ago I was up 6 lbs from pre-preg weight, and my OB said I was only allowed to gain 6 more pounds through all of second tri. I'm already up 2.5 lbs from then and I've got 8 weeks left in 2nd tri! I am trying to drink a glass of water every time I go to the fridge or pantry. And I'm counting out 1 serving of almonds (24) and eating them slowly. But I'm just so. darn. hungry. And I'm working out - walking 2.5 to 3 miles on the treadmill or taking 2.5-mile walks with the hubby outside, or doing 40 min of my prenatal pilates DVD - probably 5 days a week.

Any suggestions? I hate this. Either I'm cranky because I'm hungry, or I eat and then I feel guilty. I want to enjoy this time, not vacillate between two negative emotions.

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

Unless you're significantly overweight to begin with, I would ignore everything your OB says about gaining weight. OBs are insane and completely unrealistic when it comes to weight gain. My OB said I should only gain 15 pounds max throughout all of pregnancy, and ideally more like 10. I basically laughed in her face. Between water retention, extra fluids and blood, placenta, baby and a few extra normal pounds, that in and of itself is more than 15 pound regardless of the weight you start at. I've honestly only put on weight in my belly and it's already almost 15 pounds, sooooo if I was still seeing her I'd probably ask if she'd like me to put baby on a diet because that's where all of my weight gain is. I moved over to a midwife practice and they said 25 is a more realistic number. I've also found that I go through lulls and spurts with weight. I actually didn't gain a single pound until 22 weeks, and at that appointment I was officially up 1 whole pound. At my last appointment I was up a total of 11 pounds (so I gained 10 pounds in 4 weeks). They weren't concerned about it at all. I was admittedly a little shocked, so I've been keeping my eye on it and I've gained about 2 pounds since that appointment which was almost 3 weeks ago, so I'm right on track, if there is a track to speak of at all. Second tri is a time when baby grows like CRAZY, so you're inevitably going to gain weight quicker during second tri that you did during first. Morale of the story....if I were you, I'd ignore what your OB says about weight and try to brush it off. I'm rolling my eyes at all OBs who preach about absurd weight gain during pregnancy rules. Don't worry!! :-)

Edit: typos

tryingyetagain · April 2014

So, if I'm doing the math right, you are 18 weeks and you've only gained 8.5 pounds, right? I can't imagine why your OB thinks you are gaining too fast. I saw your HDBD photo and you look similar in size to me, and my OB said she wanted to see me gain 35 pounds. I agree with PP, ignore your OB. You look great, and as long as your are making healthy choices for the most part, don't starve yourself!

Allison7 · April 2014

I have to go with what the others have said - ignore the OB. I am on the opposite side of the spectrum, but ultimately my. OB told me that every woman gains differently. Some gain a lot in the second tri, others it is the third. She said that while average is 25-35, that there are totally healthy pregnancies that fall on either side of that range. As long as the baby's growth looks good at your a/s don't worry to much about your weight.

marnief · April 2014

Thanks, all. I am 5'6" and was about 137 pre-pregnancy. Which is a perfectly healthy, normal weight for my height. It has just been so stressful trying not to eat...veggies just don't fill me up and I want carbs kind of all the time, which is not the best. For the most part I do make healthy choices, I cook a lot and even when we go out, DH and I both are into healthy food. I do have chocolate pretty much every day, but a moderate amount.

So thank you, ladies, for the reassurance that I am not setting myself up for a monster baby or anything like that!

(Edited because pg has fried my brain.)

PhillyJ33 · April 2014

I gained a lot of my weight in the first half of my pregnancy in spurts and then it evened out. I haven't gained much in the last half which I thought was weird! All in all, I am still within the limit that my OB wanted me to gain (but getting close!). I stressed about it too but my friends and family kept telling me not to worry- I still did but so far, all is good with his measurements.

tryingyetagain · April 2014

marnief said:
Thanks, all. I am 5'6" and was about 137 pre-pregnancy. Which is a perfectly healthy, normal weight for my height. It has just been so stressful trying not to eat...veggies just don't fill me up and I want carbs kind of all the time, which is not the best. For the most part I do make healthy choices, I cook a lot and even when we go out, DH and I both are into healthy food. I do have chocolate pretty much every day, but a moderate amount.

So thank you, ladies, for the reassurance that I am not setting myself up for a monster baby or anything like that!

@marnief, I also weighed exactly 137 pre-pregnancy, but I'm only 5'4". So if you had my OB, she would be telling you to aim for 35 pounds! Also, I just checked appropriate weight gain for 18 weeks in my Your Pregnancy Week By Week book, and the normal range is 10-13 pounds. So, if anything, you are underweight. It. bugs me that your OB made you feel bad about this. You have nothing to worry about or feel guilty about. As far as carbs, I am eating them, and not feeling guilty about it. You are within (or below) recommended weight ranges, so you shouldn't feel guilty either!

Lizarella82 · April 2014

I second @tryingyetagain, I am annoyed that your OB made you feel guilty about what is a perfectly normal amount of weight to gain for someone who started where you did. I'm 5"2', I weighed about 124 after Christmas when I got my BFP (mmmm cookies) and this morning I was at 137. I've gained 13 pounds and I'm not even quite at 18 weeks! One of the reasons I love my OB is she basically has refused to set a weight gain goal for me- at my first appointment I was 10 weeks and up 8 pounds and she didn't say a word. When I went for my last appt at 15 weeks and hadn't gained any weight, she said I should track my calories and we'd talk about it next time. Everyone gains at a different rate at different stages in their pregnancy, and you are staying active, so in my mind that is all that matters.

DoublePortion · April 2014

In regard to carbs: When I was in the hospital the drs were concerned because I wasn't eating much (nasty food!). They were trying to get me to eat more protein but also said I needed to eat carbs to help the babies grow. https://www.livestrong.com/article/467484-carbohydrates-for-pregnant-women/

HeatherHam10 · April 2014

I think that is crazy!!!! I am 20 w and have gained about 15 lbs. I asked my mw aboit this and she said since I was 130 and 5'6" pre preg weight that I would prob gain a little more so you are right around the same. I hate they put restrictions and tell you how much you should gain. We have enoigh to worry about.

BabyKsMommy · April 2014

Sorry I'm waiting to do my intro till after u/s. With ds I gained 50 lbs. I'm 5'10 and 150 before that pregnancy. My ob never said anything but her NP did but I was like w/e.

Ds was 8 lb 15 oz maybe because I gained so much or maybe because he was born at 40w 2d who knows. But as a 2 yr old he's super healthy and amazing. So I wouldn't stress about it too much.

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