First trimester Weight gain concerns

lolobellrn · July 2015

I know this has been discussed before, and I am a little nervous to post but I have been feeling uneasy and feel like I could use some advice, I haven't been able to ask any of my other mommy friends only bc it's embarrassing. At my first prenatal appointment I was 5 weeks, weighed 174lbs (my pre pregnancy weight was 170 average, kinda on the bigger side), so during the appt my midwife encouraged me to exercise avoid carbs as much as possible and said I shouldn't gain any weight until 20weeks! :-S then at my 9 week appointment I weighed in at 175.6 and my midwife commented to me that I "needed to do something about it, because that's not baby weight." I felt ashamed and just nodded and left the appointment feeling like I had just been scolded. Now I worry every day about what I am eating and weighing myself almost daily to make sure I don't gain anything (which hasn't helped) and it's getting to the point where I feel almost like I have to starve myself (btw I am definitely not starving myself) but I haven't been eating in excess or unhealthy I just haven't been able to workout as much as I did before (4-5 days a week at the gym pre pregnancy). I feel like I possibly need to find a new doctor although I have no other complaints about her, but I am 13 weeks now and I go back to see her tomorrow morning and I am dreading the scale which is an awful feeling when you should be enjoying the experience

anyone have a similar experience? Advice? Sorry for the long posting!!!

mrsgetz4000 · July 2015

If you ever feel you should see a different doctor, do it. I gained 6 pounds by my first appointment and my mid wife was not concerned, I went from 157 163. I'm appalled you were chastised like that. My advice is to not tolerate that and see a different doctor. Also, I'm also 13 weeks. I know it's easier said then done, but get back to the gym. I dragged myself there today and I fe the best I have in weeks. Good luck

willashbaby · July 2015

Your midwife sounds like a body shaming asshole. 1.6lbs could be water weight or just the need to poop, seriously she needs to get off her high horse. Unless you want to be berated your entire pregnancy look elsewhere.

maureenmce · July 2015

I would definitely consider seeing a different doctor if you can. Less than 2 pounds is small amount and, considering the bloat that happened for me in the 1st trimester, it might not even be a real weight gain. My first weigh in I was 182 and I fluctuated up to 185 and now back to 182 at 11 weeks. My OBGYN has been 0% concerned.

lolobellrn · July 2015

@mrsgetz4000 thanks I am finally feeling good enough to go to the gym, went twice last week and plan on getting there more now that all the nausea and exhaustion are better, I have been holding this in but it's hard bc before that comment I have heard nothing but great things about this midwife and it really shocked me and I've been beating myself up for the last 4 weeks about it

MaMinette13 · July 2015

I'm up 10 ish lbs already because the only thing that made me feel less sick is eating with a heavy emphasis on carbs. My doctor wasn't concerned. She understood and said something along the lines of "do what you need to right now". First tri sucks!

ashcsfa · July 2015

I agree with everyone else. I started my pregnancy around the same weight as you and my doctor isn't concerned one bit. I'm up about the same weight gain as you and she hasn't said a word to me about it. I would definitely look elsewhere. I'm sorry you've had to deal with this.

JandJ62914 · July 2015

Wow...I'm so sorry that you left your appointment feeling that way. I've been there, I've always carried an extra 10-15 pounds more than what I "should weigh" since I was in high school. My old primary care doctor used to always make me feel that way, despite the fact that I eat very well and exercise regularly. I ended up finding a new doctor and I haven't heard a negative thing about my weight since, because they know I am active and I eat well and my blood pressure and bloodwork are always good.

If you're feeling that way I think you should find a new doctor! Who criticizes someone over 1.5 pounds?! Really? Like a PP said, you could have just needed to poop! I would consider that maintaining your weight.

Don't let it get you down! Be proud of yourself for all the hard work and healthy choices you make for yourself and baby.

MssyMmmy · July 2015

Doesn't sound like you gained too much? Like previous poster said that could be water weight. It shouldn't matter too much unless your having blood pressure issues I would think. Also it's pretty much impossible not to eat carbs. In the first trimester I could only eat carbs and oranges...I hope your next appointment goes okay. It sounds like she may not be a good fit for you. Or any other pregnant lady with feelings for that matter...

indibidule · July 2015

I started out my pregnancy just over 200, and all she told me was that at my bmi to try not to gain more than 20-25 lbs throughout the pregnancy. No specifications about when I could or couldn't gain. I think that as long as you're being healthy, it shouldn't matter what you gain when as long as it isn't an exorbitant amount (less than 2lbs definitely isn't! Especially first trimester with bloat!)

ChrissyD1203 · July 2015

My doctor is known as the weight stickler. I gained 5 lbs by my 10 week and he never said a word and did not seem concerned. For me, the time of day also plays a big part. Also it evened out after that and I was still the same between 10 and 14. I heard that some people do gain a more in the beginning and then even out.

narissa2013 · July 2015

I have definitely been a doctor hopper over weight comments. I do want to say that if you like her otherwise, might be worth bringing up with her that her tone was discouraging to you last time. She might be able to adjust based on your feedback. Though its one awkward conversation. Hope you have a good appointment tomorrow.

makeshifwings · July 2015

I would switch doctors, that's terrible! I started my pregnancy at 173, after losing 100 lbs over the last year. My doctor said nothing about not gaining weight until 20 weeks...that sounds insane! She said I'm in the normal range, and should gain 25-30 lbs. I've gained 5.6 lbs, and I'm 12 weeks. I gained all of that before 8 weeks, my weight hasn't budged since. It'll even out. Your doctor is a jerk...body shaming is the worst possible thing for a pregnant woman.

DaphneMoon1 · July 2015

If I left my appointment feeling ashamed for any reason, I'd find a new provider. That's ridiculous she made you feel bad over <2lbs. Last time I weighed in I was up 7lbs. I give zero shits. First trimester was tough and I ate whatever made me feel better.

Don't stress over a little weight gain. Find a new provider.

lolobellrn · July 2015

Thanks ladies for all the posts! I am going to my appointment tomorrow and I am going to bring it up somehow, not sure yet but I feel like if I tell her how it made me feel and she doesn't change her take on the whole weight issue then I am going to have to find a new provider. It's just hard to think about starting over at this point in the pregnancy with a new doctor. Hopefully she will change my mind tomorrow but if not I'll be getting a new OB asap. I refuse to worry about a little weight gain especially when I know I am doing everything I should be to keep me and my baby healthy!

meredithfharris · July 2015

Im feeling worried about this too. Ive gained 9lbs and im 13 weeks. Ahhh im scared what the doctor will say next week. Ive been eating a lot of carbs. Im hopefully going back to better eating this week as i have been feeling better.

LauraFi · July 2015

I can't believe she commented about 1.6 lbs. That's crazy. Hopefully talking to her about it fixes the problem but if not it is definitely not too late to find another doctor. I think within about 3 lbs +/- doesn't mean anything because of fluctuations due to eating/drinking and going to the bathroom. Just continue eating the best that you can and exercising when you can. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!

mpsampson · July 2015

@JandJ62914 I totally agree!!!! Be Proud of who you are mama! You are An amazing woman who is growing a frickin human being!

We all should love our bloated, hormone raging, constipated, gassy, beautiful bodies!

lolobellrn · July 2015

I'm happy to say that my appointment went good today! Before the appointment the MA always asks if there is anything I want to discuss with the doctor, so I told the MA that I wanted to discuss my weight and thankfully when she came in we had a good convo about healthy gain and fluctuations and she told me not to stress about it but just be conscious of it and continue to eat right and exercise. She seemed to be more lighthearted about it so I felt a lot better. I'm so glad I was able to turn a negative feeling into a positive conversation. I know with hormones we are all prone to taking things a little more personal or not how they were intended and I think this is a perfect example. I appreciate all the posts, it's nice to know I'm not the only one struggling with this.

SisterSunshine · July 2015

I'm glad it went well for you, I know it's stressful to change providers once you've already gotten going. And when you're talking about having a baby, bedside manner and level of comfort is huge! There's nothing more intimate than creating relationship with the person who is going to deliver your child and your trusting your healthy pregnancy and baby with this professional. You wanted to be a fantastic experience and you certainly don't want to be made to feel ashamed. I am 25 pounds overweight and I am conscious of my eating and weight gain during pregnancy, and if the doctor made me feel ashamed about how I was doing I would have to change.

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