Weight Gain Question

SerenityDN · April 2015

For my 24 week check-up today I saw a different doctor because mine is away on vacation. My doc has never said anything about my weight gain, but this new one immediately asked what I'd been eating because my gain was too much so far.

I'm 5'4" and my start weight was 114. I'm currently 132. I probably eat a bit too much carbs and sweets than I should, but my pregnancy has been healthy so far and my weight gain is all in my tummy and breasts. My exercise has only been about 10 minutes on the elliptical each day so I know I can step this up some. The doc suggested that I stop eating bananas, grapes, rice, and fruit juice which she said are all high calorie. I do have a banana a day and generally about a cup of 100% cranberry juice (no sugar added), but I'm not sure if I want to cut those completely.

I know weight gain is a controversial, commonly talked about topic. So, I'm going to cut back a bit and then talk to my regular doctor next check-up, but in the meantime I was curious of your thoughts on this.

Miz_Liz · April 2015

I agree, talk to your regular doctor. Every Dr seems to be different when it comes to weight gain. Mine has neveer said anything to me either pregnancy about mine (and I gained a LOT with DS). She said she wasn't worried about it, so I shouldn't be either (when I asked her). Bananas are really good for helping prevent leg cramps, which SUCK during pregnancy, so not sure I would cut them out.

prairiedreams · April 2015

Okay, I can see cutting back on rice- but fruit really?!
Eat and do what you feel comfortable with as you have a healthy pregnacy.

lifesabeach85 · April 2015

Yikes!!! That dr sounds like a nightmare. Talk to your OB and if he/she thinks you are healthy and have healthy habits (presumably you will have a GD test soon anyway) put that in the win column and move on

kelseyrayay · April 2015

I eat everything all the time. I've only gained 10 pounds but i agree with pp ask your Dr. The cutting back on fruit seems strange. I've never heard of a dr tell someone to cut back on fruit before. If that's the case I need to be cutting back because almost all I eat is watermelon grapes and pineapple.

emmacake08 · April 2015

As my MIL always says "no one ever got fat off of strawberries". I think your weight gain sounds fine.

EmJ628 · April 2015

You sound fine!!! I would not stress about it and I would not cut out raisins or bananas (potassium) and cranberry juice (helps prevent UTI's) maybe add more water and longer walks and run it by your doc next time. You sound like you are doing great!

acgonzalez22 · April 2015

I am 24.3 weeks and gained 5 lbs. I got a talk today about weight gain. However, I am overweight. She only wants me to gain 15 to 20lbs. But she said to eat fruits for my sugar intake instead of junk food. And to add more water.

Miz_Liz · April 2015

acgonzalez22 said:
I am 24.3 weeks and gained 5 lbs. I got a talk today about weight gain. However, I am overweight. She only wants me to gain 15 to 20lbs. But she said to eat fruits for my sugar intake instead of junk food. And to add more water.

Your Dr is bad at math then, even if she only wants you to gain 15-20 lbs, you are more than half way done with your pregnancy, and 5 is less than half of 15-20!! Yes, I KNOW you gain more in the 3rd trimester, but seriously?! I think you are doing great, don't stress.

acgonzalez22 · April 2015

@Miz_Liz Thank you! I thought so too and am not worried about it. I am borderline obese but eat as well as I can and do indulge when I like. I think it was more that I gained the 5lbs in the last 8 days. I just nodded and smiled

SerenityDN · April 2015

Thanks all for the quick replies!

I will definitely wait to make any drastic changes until I see my doctor next (also my glucose test, so that works out well). I was also quite surprised by how quick she told me to completely stop eating bananas and cranberry juice. Cutting fruits would be hard for me... I love them all and have been craving them quite a bit

I will try to slow down on the cadbury creme eggs (my supply is running low anyway) and up my exercise a bit though.

krp1508 · April 2015

Haha yes cut down on the Cadbury eggs, but the fruit is so good for you and the best alternative when you have a sweet tooth. I am seeing another doctor at my office next visit and I'm curious as to what she will say about my 22 pound weight gain. My normal dr. says I'm healthy! Just check with your regular dr next visit to ease your mind.

aveline8 · April 2015

Pffff that sounds ridiculous, has that Dr ever been pregnant!?! I would certainly not feel any need to be cutting out fruit, if you feel up to increasing exercise go for it but I seriously wouldn't stress out about it too much! Pregnancy is hard enough without getting down on yourself about eating fruit and gaining a normal amount of weight! I gained 36 lbs with my first and my midwife didn't even bat an eye.

mjpensyl · April 2015

@SerenityDN I am in almost the same situation as you. I saw a different doctor today, which is fine because any of the doctors in the practice can be on call when I deliver. I've gained 15 lbs, most of which was in the past month and in my boobs and especially belly. Anyway, the doctor made some comment along the lines of, "If you keep this weight gain up, you're going to end up with a 12 lb baby and that won't be fun for any of us."

I really don't gorge on food, I work out (lightly) regularly, and I eat when I'm hungry. I'm going to just try to watch my activity and intake & get my regular doctor's opinion in a few weeks.

jessers74 · April 2015

I have gained a lot of weight with all of my pregnancies. My first I gained 62 lbs. my second I gained 54 lbs and I am currently 24w5d pregnant and have gained 18 lbs so far as of last visit (I don't get on the scale in between). My doc said I should gain a minimum of 35 lbs so yes each doc is different. I started 2 lbs overweight with this one and he is still saying a minimum of 35 lbs. I've been eating healthy and I don't have much of an appetite this pregnancy so I have to make myself eat and yet I am still gaining like crazy.

jlsweets · April 2015

I obviously don't know your history but your weight gain sounds normal to me and so does your diet- I eat fruits all day long and always have, never once has that attributed to weight gain - juice, sure I can see that as it is high in sugary calories but not natural sugars from fruits (unless your eating like a bag of apples in one sitting

missmarissa711 · April 2015

Is 17 pounds that abnormal at 24 weeks? I know depending on your BMI, the amount a women should gain varies, but it doesn't seem that high to me personally based on your height and start weight, but I am not a doctor. I would talk your regular doctor that has been seeing you since the beginning and see what they say to you. Maybe even give him/her a call when they get back to the office instead of waiting to the next appointment. I would be horrified if my doctor told me not to eat fruit! Its one of the only things that doesn't make me sick.

EmEeGee · April 2015

I've gained 10lbs in the last 5 weeks and today at my appt (I actually brought it up before my Dr did), my dr said that prior to this last cycle between visits I had been right on track but that the 10lbs were about double the norm for these past 5 weeks. I had brought it up because I wanted to discuss my allowances for exercise (history of bleeding). She commented that she would have said something if I hadn't but only to make a mental note to both of us that we will watch my trend to make sure I'm not consistently gaining double what I should.

That being said, I agree with @BreezyMeema I appreciate her keeping an eye on it with me. I don't feel offended or worried. I want to be healthy and I trust her guidance. OP - it sounds like you want the same so I think you're right to continue discussions with your Dr. Don't worry needlessly, but it sounds like you're doing just fine!

sandrabrooke · April 2015

I was told to eat fruit as kind of free food. (i mean, not a bag of apples a day, but a couple pieces!)

I could see where the juice would be iffy. I guess I'd listen to your doctor, and as long as they are doing it in a supportive manner, consider what they say as being supportive.

ann_jeremiah · April 2015

I've always believed you're body is going to gain what it's going to gain.. I gained about 50 with both of my first two pregnancies and lost more than that each time.

kaitlynmcclanahan · April 2015

Had this same issue. Saw the same dr and was always encouraged that I was doing great. I'm 23 weeks and have only gained 5lbs total. But when I saw a different ob recently she made a comment about "you know it's okay to diet during pregnancy right?" I was caught off guard by this but just thought it was her way of letting me know to keep up a healthy eating plan....which dieting "cutting calories" is not what I would consider appropriate for pregnancy but I shrugged it off. Near the end of the appointment before she was about to check for the heart beat with the Doppler, she made the comment "hopully at your size we can hear his heart beat well..." We've never had any issue hearing his heart beat. Not a small girl but I'm not huge either. I'm a size 12-14 now at 6 months. This struck a major nerve with me and I will be requesting to not see her again even if my normal doc is out. Check with your regular dr. They know your history better and will be honest with you.

jakesjess · April 2015

This is rediculous! Maybe you were a bit under weight when you got pregnant--don't listen to the new dr. All they saw was you at point A and now at point B. My dr told me I could expect to gain 25-35 lbs but you were so tiny to begin with I wonder if your body isn't just doing catching up? My dr also said "no calorie counting" eat when you are hungry. You're making healthy choices, keep on being positive. You are healthy!

SerenityDN · April 2015

Kaitlyn - That's awful! I wouldn't listen to this doc at all... it doesn't seem safe to be dieting especially since you've only gained 5 lbs so far.

I don't think I'm going to cut anything, instead I'll try to make healthier choices and step up exercise a bit.

gemmafig · April 2015

You can get potassium from other veggies, so if they've suggested dropping bananas off your diet...increase your dark leafy greens, or beans. Both have less natural sugar as well. But, that is just my $0.02.

Fruit (and fruit juice) in general has a lot of natural sugars, so moderation is always suggested with that...but talk to your regular doctor if it bugs you.

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