Weight Concern

Emerald27 · May 2014

I know I've created a few posts already about weight gain, so bear with me...

My OB hasn't mentioned weight gain at any of my appts yet, so I'm not sure if he's just not paying close attention or if he doesn't think it's a big deal that I haven't gained any weight yet (19 weeks this week).

I saw my endocrinologist this morning for my monthly thyroid check, and he talked to me quite a bit about my weight. He is concerned that I'm not eating enough and wants me to keep a diary of what I eat, so that I can track how many calories I'm getting. HE wants me to start gaining weight, and said he hopes I'm up 5-10lbs by my next appt (in 6 weeks...).

I complained of headaches and fatigue, and he thinks my blood sugar might be getting too low during the day from not eating enough? I told him that I eat when I'm hungry, and I try to make healthy choices, and he said that's not good enough! FWIW, I DO have half a basketball on my belly, so it's not like baby isn't growing...

I plan to ask my OB about it at next week's appt, but I am wondering:

If you haven't gained any/much weight yet, is your doctor concerned? And what, if anything, have they recommended you do about it?

Does it matter if you begin your pregnancy overweight? My endo says I wasn't overweight enough to make it such that I don't NEED to be gaining, but I wonder if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Jennifer18131 · May 2014

I'm 19 weeks tomorrow. I just got back up to my prepregnancy weight this week. I dropped 5lbs quickly in the first few weeks and have been pretty steady since. I had about 20-25lbs that could have been safely (and preferably) lost prepregnancy. I have noticed that my legs, arms and waist are slimming, which probably makes up for the lack of weight gain.

OB hasn't said anything about weight at all. No mention of being over preferred weight, no mention of how much to gain. I take that as a sign that she's not concerned. Because if a doctor is concerned, he'll bring it up.

GretchenWeiners7 · May 2014

I have gained one lb after losing 5 at the beginning of my pregnancy. My doctor was really concerned after I lost the 5 lbs, but was happy to see the extra pound last time. She advised me to eat more (like you, I try to eat whenever I am hungry), and to have more snacks throughout the day even when I am not particularly hungry. If you find a solution let me know, I don't want any more lectures at my appointments

themiss · May 2014

I may be in a different boat, as I'm a larger woman, but my doctor has been happy with my lack of weight gain. I lost a few pounds in the first couple months just from my inability to eat anything other than toast.

My doctor also said I shouldn't gain more than 15 pounds, but only because I am all ready over weight. I am, however, very healthy and am eating much more healthy now and smaller meals. My stomach is getting quite large, now that I'm at 17 weeks, but my weight is the same.

Baby is growing, I am healthy and feel good, so all is well.

PBJellyTime · May 2014

My midwife never told me how much weight to gain. Last time I went (beginning of May) I had gained 3 pounds total. I go next Friday for my next appointment, and I'm not sure if/what the midwife will have to say at that point. I don't know if I have gained any more weight or not, but I too eat when I am hungry and try to remember to eat a handful of almonds or a fruit cup for a snack each day. I know it's different for each person, but I just try to make sure I am getting enough vitamins/nutrients to support me and baby. I have decided I'm not going to worry until my midwife says something...

ohioloveyou · May 2014

I lost 5 pounds during first tri and am just now at almost 18 weeks getting back to prepregnancy weight. I was a little concerned since I wasn't overweight before I got pregnancy, so I asked my doctor about it last week and he said he's not worried.

Emerald27 · May 2014

The endo's rec for gaining weight was to eat snacks between meals that include some sugar/carbs and protein. His examples were crackers and cheese or an apple or celery and peanut butter. And to make sure I get 3 full meals.

@MRSclarke08‌ He actually laughed when I said that I eat when I'm hungry.

Like relying on my actually being hungry was a bad plan...

pushgal84 · May 2014

Tomorrow will be 20wks and I'm still down a pound. Didn't really lose anything during first tri either, just keeping within +/-2lbs from my start weight. My doctor didn't say anything either and when I brought it up at my 19wk appt she said I should only gain 10lbs total, and no more than 15. FWIW, I also started 50-60lbs overweight.

jenndub · May 2014

With my first I didn't gain any weight until 20 weeks. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 120. My doctor wasn't concerned because I was eating enough, he just said that everybody gains at different speeds, in different amounts and in different places. In the end I gained 25 pounds, 5 of those in the 8 days after her due date that she was refusing to come out of there.

I hope you get some reassurance soon and I think eating when you feel hungry is a pretty good plan. Good luck!

AppleGrapeMSTK · May 2014

I am only about 10lb overweight. My doctor brought it up two appointments ago that I had lost 4lb. I only gained another 2lb by the next appointment, and he said that he was concerned that it wasn't more. I lost those 2lb, so I called the nurse. She said that if I felt I was eating enough, then I should be OK- baby will keep growing, even if I'm not gaining, just be sure to take my vitamin. I am now up a net 2lb, and I go back to the OB in two weeks. I tracked what I was eating for a whole week- I was averaging 3000 cal some days. There is no way I'm not eating enough.

TheOtherJacobsons · May 2014

I was considered overweight: 5'7" 190lbs. My OB said that in the last 4,000 patients he has had, only 3 of them he has had to ask them to gain more weight. He said that most of the time he tells them to watch their weight. I gained 2 lbs in the first trimester and so far 4 lbs in the 2nd. He said that things are going perfectly. In the beginning he said not to add any calories to my diet at any point in my pregnancy. I used to track my calories like crazy and now I don't bother. I figure as long as I am within the recommended weight gain range that things are going as they should.

Your situation seems a bit different. Not sure where you started, but I think 5 lbs is more reasonable in the next 6 weeks. I would also suggest taking your measurements. It helps me to know where I am gaining the weight. Mostly boobs and belly right now thank goodness!

Bottom line, bring it up with your OB. I know my OB looks at my weight gain, but I also brought it up in the beginning as something I wanted to pay attention to. It could be that he/she is looking at it and is not concerned.

BeanNut · May 2014

If you are concerned, I think it's a great idea to keep a food diary for a couple weeks.

I also think it makes a difference if you started the pregnancy a little overweight vs. more overweight.

Good luck

.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

I've been concerned about gaining too much weight and I talked to my OB about it at my last appointment. She said that according to my chart I had gained 11 pounds and she thought that was great and nothing to worry about. I was 16 weeks, and that seems like a lot to me. If she isn't worried, then I will try not to worry about it. She said I may just have a body type to gain a lot earlier and then it will even out as the pregnancy progresses. Hopefully that is the case.

angeltennis3 · May 2014

I am overweight, so my doctor recommended 11-15 lbs of total weight gain.

I am actually down 4 pounds from my pre pregnancy weight. I haven't been getting sick, but I do have food aversions still and no cravings. My OB was very pleased with my weight and said he would only start to encourage me to monitor my food intake if I lost more than 10 pounds, and even then he wouldn't be too concerned.

I would ask your OB. I am sure your endocrinologist has their reasons, too, but as pp said everyone gains weight differently and at different points in their pregnancy.

MrsMac613 · May 2014

I'm 19 weeks and have gained less than 1lb. My doctor said she isn't concerned because baby is growing just fine. I would keep the diary like your endo is requesting but also ask your OB about it .

linnae939 · May 2014

I'm 20 weeks and lost 12 lbs weeks 1-10, gained 8 back weeks 12-15, and since then have remained steady. My midwife is not concerned and says I will make up for it in the end. She is more concerned with nutrient intake, not calories. She said baby will take calories to grow from you and not to worry too much about it, but baby can't get a lot of the nutrients from anywhere but your food! So eat good, quality food full of nutrients and you should be good. I would be worried about a blood sugar drop mainly b/c I already am dizzy and get headaches as it is, and I don't think it would be good to add to it.

Note: I am not a medical professional, this is what my midwife said in my particular case. Ask your doctor of course.

rlyttle · May 2014

At 18 weeks I had only gained 3lbs. I'm now 21 weeks and I'm up 6lbs. My doctor said my weight gain is perfect. I'm 5'10" and was 148 pre-pregnancy. I'm right on track with my 1st pregnancy and I gained 24lbs with DS.

Maybe try to add a small snack in the afternoon to help with your blood sugar levels (I also have low blood sugar) and I wouldn't worry about the weight gain. GL!!

AmandaJean12 · May 2014

I'm 19 weeks and just now finally up a pound, after I lost 5 during the first trimester. I am also on the 15 lb goal weight gain, and my doctor was happy with no weight gain. (Though it still amazes me my belly can get so big without my weight jumping).

I wouldn't disregard your bodies hunger cues - that just sounds like a recipe for disaster. Maybe just try to make sure you're eating spaced out enough that you never let yourself get too hungry? Keep everything a bit more even.

Virginialeigh · May 2014

I'm 18 weeks tomorrow and have lost 2lbs. I have know idea how because my belly is obviously growing. My doctors hasn't said anything other than "You lost a little weight. Have you been throwing up?". When I said no she she dropped the subject.

MorganWP · May 2014

With my DD I started out around 150lbs, lost 15lbs because of weird food aversions and then started gaining around 20 weeks. My doctor said she'd like me to gain 20-25lbs even said I could go to 30. By the time I had DD I was around 175lbs. I never got back down to prepregnancy weight inbetween babies.

This time, I started out at 180 and have been losing weight, about 10lbs so far. I figure its because I had really bad morning sickness until about 13 weeks and the weather is nicer so me and DD are out and about more. My doctor hasnt mentioned anything about weight though. We'll have to see at our next appointment.

enitsirkz · May 2014

I haven't been to the doctor since 17 weeks but mine hasn't said anything to me. I'm at 19 weeks at ~120 pounds right now. I was wavering between 113 and 119 when I got pregnant and because I was 119 at my first appointment they wrote that down as my starting weight.

hippohat · May 2014

With my first pregnancy I had the same issue - I just didn't gain weight. My OB became concerned around this time, maybe a tad earlier. She wanted me to have gained some weight by my next appointment, and I did, so I'm not sure what she would have wanted me to do. I also had lost weight in the first tri, nothing drastic, but lots of nausea all day/night. I think I've gained gradually this pg because I'm at work - it's easier to eat something that sounds good, vs at the office I struggled to find something I wanted to eat.

ariel06 · May 2014

I'm even to my start weight at almost 19 weeks. I tend to gain about a pound a week for the 2nd half of my pregnancies, so my doctor isn't worried.

ladybug0088 · May 2014

I was overweight before getting pregnant but have been really careful with what I eat. I've gained 4 pounds but everyone keeps telling me how great I look and that I'm looking like I've lost weight. I definitely don't think so--my little baby pooch is out on display. I'm not dieting--just trying to be conscious of what I eat.

My OB has said nothing about it, so I assume she's not worried. I figure with the little extra loving I already had little squish is just fine.

manateeliz · May 2014

Slightly different boat because I am pregnant with twins, but yes, my Dr. is concerned. I lost 12 lbs during the first trimester and am now up 5 from there at almost 19 weeks. I "should" be gaining about a pound a week right now and eating about 175g protein and 150g fat a day. My MFM office has a staff nutritionist who reviews my food logs, and yeah, I am not even close on most days. All I can do is my best, and I have heard other people who have gain minimally with twins and still had healthy weight babies at close to full term, so I try not to stress too much.

LightBright515 · May 2014

I lost about 15 in the first trimester. No m/s but just a lack of appetite period. Granted I didn't know I was pregnant until 9 weeks and was working out..

I made it back to my starting weight, and since then I've gained about 6 pounds. Probably less because I guzzled water to provide a urine sample.

According to BMI I'm way over. But I have a lot of muscle mass. My goal is to stay under or at 200 lbs. I have 20 lbs wiggle room.

atraveller · May 2014

I've been concerned about the opposite. I started out about 10 pounds heavier than my normal weight - result of fertility drugs and hormones, but according to my doctor still within normal BMI. In the 1st trimester I was ravenous and had lots of food cravings and no morning sickness, so gained almost 12 pounds. Now in the 2nd trimester I seem to be leveling out, having gained about 3 more. My concern is I've gained about 15-16 pounds and only 20 weeks. My doctor seems unconcerned but I'm worried I'm going to go way over the recommended 25-30 pounds. I'm short and my legs and thighs look huge to me....going to have to do Insanity or PX90 once Lo pops out. Right now, in-between runs I'm doing the Brazilian butt crunch (only some exercises I have to skip) to try to get my tone back now or at least some of it.

CynthiaVRey · May 2014

I'm considered overweight 190 and have gained 7 so far . Doctor hasn't said much about it but it know he doesn't want me to gain more than 20

haboobjob · May 2014

I dropped 5 lbs pretty early on and hadn't put on weight. My doctor talked to me a little about it at my 12 week appointment. She said she wasn't super concerned but wanted to see some improvement by my next appointment (which was 17 weeks). I was so proud to step on the scale and show off my 2 lb weight gain. She said that was a perfect amount of weight gain for this point. She said everyone is different and not to worry. Just eat healthy and the weight will naturally and gradually come on as the baby gets bigger. Some of the girls mentioned it but make sure you're carrying snacks. Nuts and little granola bars are perfect munchies for on the go.

mrsvedo · May 2014

I'm still down a pound from my prepregnancy weight but my OB is happy with it. She told me at the beginning she only wanted me gaining 10-15 since my starting weight was 225. I lost 5 in first tri from cutting out soda and have only gained back a few of what I lost.

archi35 · May 2014

Its hard to say if you would be concerned or not since you seem to have varying medical opinions and I'm certainly no doctor

. But my OB did say that roughly every 2ish kilos (5ish lbs) that someone is overweight, you should subtract a pound of gain for the first tri. She said by the second tri you should be gaining per the regular schedule. So conceivably if you started at 5 pounds over, you'd gain about 1 pound less than the 30-35 usually recommended. Again its hard because everything is a range and everyone's chemistry and reaction to hormones is different. Comparative to other posters it doesn't seem like there is anything wrong with you specifically. If I were in your situation, I would try and add in another 300-500 calories a day to get up to a pound a week of additional weight, and see how that goes?

Eastie156 · May 2014

Tomorrow is 19 weeks for me and I'm still down 2 lbs. I lost between 6-8 during first trimester. So I haven't gained any weight yet at all. So different than the first time around, I think at this point I'd legitimately gained 15 lbs with DS.

@Emerald27, I don't see an Endo but do have monitored hypothyroidism. I wondered if an increased dose of meds was part of the reason I haven't gained any weight, myself. I wasn't hypo when I was pg with DS, so I have nothing to compare to.

Edited: I was also very sick first tri up until a few weeks ago, that's likely most of the reason I haven't gained any weight. I'm also plus sized this pregnancy while when I first got pg with DS I was only about a size 8-10.

asarem93 · May 2014

I weighed 227 when I got pregnant and now, at 20 weeks, I weigh 223. My ob said as long as he is growing and looks healthy, which he does, then I'm fine.

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