How am I supposed to gain the weight I need while pregnant?

Question

I am in my first pregnancy (3 months along, almost 4) and I am naturally a tiny person. For some reason I am having trouble gaining weight while pregnant. I have always had trouble putting on weight and I think it may be due to my fast metalboism. What can I do? I want to make sure my baby weighs enough and is nice and healthy.

Answer 1

eat healthy and get daily exercise . . that is the best you can do for your baby . . the weight will come naturally . . if there is any concern that you aren't gaining weight, the baby will be monitored by your doctor . . don't purposely try to put on weight either . . good luck

Answer 2

I have the same problem: super-fast metabolism. But I will say that my first pregnancy I gained 45lbs without doing anything different from what I normally do. I'm on my second pregnancy and I didn't start gaining weight until after I was 5 months. My appts are 6 weeks apart (this is actually not the norm, it's usually 4 weeks, but my HMO is a little different) and I didn't show any weight gain until my last checkup. In the 6 weeks between checkups I suddenly gained 8 lbs! If weight gain is a concern, your doctor will talk to you about it.

Oh yeah, and to add: My first baby was 8lbs, 10oz. My pre-pregnancy weight back then was 100lbs. This baby is already measuring big even though I haven't gained that much.

Answer 3

As long as you are eating right, taking your supplements, and not skipping meals, your baby should be fine. Your doc will let you know how much and how to properly gain wieght. Most of the time it is the the baby wieght you gain, in the end you should gain about 20 pounds which is mostly amniotic fluid, the baby, the placenta, and a few pounds of fat. This is typically shed after 3 months if you keep up healthy habits. Other than that take all your concerns to your doc.

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry...your body is designed to know what to do, and soon enough, you'll be wondering if you'll ever STOP gaining. :) Just be sure to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, take your prenatal vitamins, and drink drink drink your water! Some women actually LOSE weight during the first and second trimester due to horrible morning sickness. These poor women can't keep a bite of food down, and they always end up delivering perfectly healthy babies. Like I said...your body knows what to do. When you're pregnant, your metabolism actually slows down and food stays in your digestive system longer to absorb as many of the nutrients as it can.

Answer 5

You know how much I envy you! I used to think I'm thinner than average and then I tried very hard to put on weight before getting pregnant. Now my body is like a piece of yeast bread. Nothing related to beauty at all. My strong sense of superiority has been vanishing since then. Only hope to recover and regain my beauty soon after delivery. If you are not abnormally thin, go natural. You'll naturally gain some weight during pregnancy.

Answer 6

I didn't gain weight in my first trimester with my son (I only gained 20 lbs), and I'm having the same problem again this time around. It could be due to a fast metabolism (which I have as well). As long as you're meeting your daily nutritional requirements, you should be fine. Also, it is not uncommon to even lose a pound or two in the first trimester, especially for women who have morning sickness. Oh, the ironic thing is, is I gained only 20 pounds with my son, and he was 9 pounds at birth (a day after he was due).

Answer 7

I really wouldn't worry too much about it unless your doctor thinks it's an issue. When my Mom was pregnant with me she was very petite, but ate everything in sight including 6 glazed donuts for breakfast every morning. She only gained 11 lbs total and I weighed 7lbs 8oz. I had issues when I was born but it had nothing to do with her little weight gain. After 2 days my issues (blocked bowel) cleared up and I went home. I have been extremely healthy ever since and am now 37 and pregnant with my 4th child.

Best of luck!

Answer 8

As long as you stay healthy and eat healthy, the baby will be fine. The doctors tell you to gain at least 30 pounds but many women don't and they have perfectly healthy babies. Just eat plenty of fruits and vegetable for all of the nutrients they provide.

Answer 9

Child out and eat healthy and hearty....i didnt gain a pound until 7.5 months and before that I lost 9 pounds...it really depends on your and your activity...stay fit though and do light workouts and light weight training...it made my pushing part last 15 minutes...i was drugged and asleep for the before part....bring a soft pillow and enjoy the beauty rest while everyone else freaks out.

Answer 10

This is something you should ask your doctor. My mom only gained 18lbs with me and her final weight was 105. I was born healthy at full term with a weight of 4.13. No she didn't starve me. I am just tiny like her. We are also under 5 ft.