Weight gain during pregnancy?

Question

I am 20 weeks pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant, I was 188 pounds. During the first part of pregnancy I dropped right down to 180lbs. I didn't have bad morning sickness or anything. I have been eating well. Now I am back at 185lbs but am finding it hard to gain what I should be at this stage of my pregnancy. Has this happened to anyone else? Can you give me any tips on how to gain the weight and keep it on?

Answer 1

As long as you're eating a healthy diet and not having any complications you should be fine. Many women find that they dont put on as much as the guidelines say, but this also goes the other way. You could take a pregnancy vitamin and look up a pregnancy food pyramid to check whether your diet is adequate. It is important that you don't stress out about it too much. Considering that you weren't underweight or anything at the start I wouldn't worry too much about gaining the 'recommended' amount (this varies depending on you pre-pregnancy weight anyway, for me it was as little as 15 pounds for the entire pregnancy). Everyone is different. Good luck with your pregnancy, I'm sure everything will be fine.

Answer 2

If you have been eating well, i wouldn't worry too much about a slight weight loss, you were probably a little heavy at the beginning, and the extra calories needed for the baby's development have taken off some of the excess. You say you have started gaining again, which is good. I would just continue to eat a healthy diet and take your vitamins and drink plenty of water. You want to gain healthy baby weight, which will be easier to take off after. (I was a little heavy when i became pregnant, and actually noticed the loss of some fat in the early months.)

Answer 3

I lost weight because I ate differently. Then I gained about 30 lbs.

Trust me, as the pregnancy progresses, you won't need to do anything special. Right now you're burning calories but the water retention increases as you get closer. I swear I doubled in size the last 2 weeks.

FYI: the more you keep off now, the easier it is after the pregnancy so you're quite fortunate.

Answer 4

you don't really need to worry about gaining weight. it is very common for larger women to lose some weight during pregnancy. as long as you are taking vitamins and eating right all is well. the goal is not to gain fat. you will gain weight as the baby grows. the baby is still very small yet. just give it time. by 30 weeks you will notice the weight gain, believe me. you are only halfway there and only need to gain around 15 pounds. you have plenty of time left.

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry too much just make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins. With my first son I gained like 80lbs and with the son I am pregnant with right now I only gained 17 and I am 35 weeks pregnant! It depends on your body and the baby as to when and how much weight you gain. If it concerns you too much though talk to your ob/gyn the next time you see him/her! Congrats!

Answer 6

I agree completely with the post above me, and would like to add this:

Every woman's body has a "normal" setting for her. Regardless of what my starting weight was, I have gained approximately 50 lbs. with each of my three pregnancies, and I fully expect to gain it throughout my fourth that I am experiencing now. This is above what doctors recommend, and I really don't care. I've never had trouble losing it or had gestational diabetes. It hasn't troubled me at all. It's just what *my* body does. I eat healthily, take my vitamins, so it goes. Your body is doing what *yours* does. You and baby are just fine. : )

Answer 7

My mother, Dr. Shoshana Bennett, is a specialist of pregnancy and nutrition. In her latest book, Postpartum Depression for Dummies, she talks a lot about proper nutrition for pregnant moms. Personally, I know she'd be glad to help you out and would be the best person to talk to about this matter. If you send me your number I will tell her to contact you right away. I'm glad I can help you out!

Answer 8

Your doctor or midwife could order an ultrasound to determine the weight of the child. They did for my wife. Also you could have your blood pressure and blood sugar tested. I imagine knowing that these measures are fine would be reassuring to you.

Answer 9

honey..if you're already overweight, you don't gain as much...the baby is mostly fluid at this point....you don't or shouldn't gain baby weight until the last 6 wks....the correct amt to gain is around 24 lbs and about 15 of that is in the last trimester...stop eating for 10!