Weight gain and tiredness in pregnacy?

Question

I am 19 weeks pregnant. The first trimester was rough. I lost about 10 lbs or so. Now I am gaining SO fast. The last two appointments I had I gained 7lbs in a month and then 6lbs in the next month. My total weight gain is 8lbs total (from my start weight before I got sick). I feel I am gaining so fast, however when I am hungry I HAVE to eat, I have no self control at all. It is hard for me to feel full and satisfied. Also I am sooo tired all the time and I think I am eating for energy. This is my third pregnancy and I am young. I have a 1year old and a 3 year old and I feel like I have no energy for them at all. I never felt like this with the past 2 pregnancies. I am scared I am going to gain a ton and not be able to take it off. Any suggestions?

My doctor told me to start taking an iron supplement and I just started to do that 2 days ago or so. It does not seem to help much. I also take a prenatal vit.

Answer 1

Well, first of all with two little ones you're going to be tired no matter what you eat or don't eat. You need at least 10 hours of sleep a night, and your significant other should be helping you with this.
Secondly, look at what types of things you are eating. If you are eating a lot of grains and carbs then you're getting a big rush of energy and not a lot of carry over. Please make sure you are getting much more protein than you're used to, 70 to 75 grams of protein a day for a pregnant or nursing mama, as well as a gallon of water each day (dehydration can mask itself as hunger). cut out the refined foods, white bread, crackers, chips, tortillas, pastas, etc, unless balanced very well with whole vegetables and fruits, and lots of low fat, high protein foods. look at this website for an idea of how much protein food typically has
http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/books-phds/books/foodfacts/html/data/data2d.html

Thirteen pounds in 20 weeks is really not that much weight to be gained, and I wouldn't worry so much about looks as I would how I feel. If you feel like crap then what's the point? Are you taking vitamins?

Look at diet and sleep, and try to let go of housework and just be with your kids. I have seven kids, most of them 18 months apart. It can be done, but you have to reevaluate your priorities. Good luck

Edit to add (since I read about your iron supplement): Often iron can't be absorbed if it's not taken with vitamin C...so try taking it with a full eight ounces of orange juice, tomato soup, V8 and give it another few days. Also try to get some natural iron, through meat, beans, dark leafy greens, like spinach, lettuces (besides the typical head of white) Also see if you can get a B spectrum supplement to alternate with the iron.

Answer 2

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my first .. I never had morning sickness so I just gained .. never had the opportunity to lose! :)
anywhoo .. I gained 6 lbs. first appt. then 8 the next appt. and more this appt. I think I'm gaining entirely too much as well! But, the doctor checked my blood pressure which is completely normal (low if anything) and said not to worry. As long as you're eating healthy .. that's all that matters. Be less concerned with the weight gain and more concerned with WHAT your eating. My appetite is out of control lately (20 weeks pregnant) .. I can't get enough to eat. I come home from work at noon and eat whatever I can get in my system, quick! then .. I eat and am completely exhausted so I don't have the energy to work out. It's horrible. I'm also having a boy .. and I've heard you gain MORE weight with boys .. so, if thats true .. I should be able to get it off just as quick as gaining less.
My doctor doesn't seem concerned in the slightest .. so neither am I :)

I currently have a very healthy very active baby boy!

just eat healthy foods and relax.

good luck! God bless!

Answer 3

I don't know if there is much you can do about that right now except talk to your OB/GYN. It is possible that your hormones are out of synch with where they should be and you need to include a vitamin or multivitamin into your diet to help you distribute water within your body. My friend gained a lot of weight during her second pregnancy and was able to rebound afterwards, although it took some effort. Try not to stress yourself too much, afterall, you ARE pregnant. Weight gain is healthy and essential. Try to read as much as you can on it and get enough rest. Is there anything you can do to boost your energy as well as finding low-impact exercises you can do to expend some energy. Good luck!

Answer 4

It's probably partly your period and partly just growing pains. You sound quite young and when you're a teenager your hormones are all over the place which will cause moodiness and tiredness. you're also growing a lot which can make you feel dizzy if you don't get enough food. just try and increase the fruit and veggies in your diet and if you're still worried then pop and see your gp but the chances are it's just the normal symptoms of being a teenager!

Answer 5

Oh my goodness I had the exact same thing happen to me! I was so sick during my first trimester that I lost 7 pounds. Now, I can't stop eating! I was worried about the weight gain too so I just bought healthy snacks to munch on. I can't get enough raw vegetables! They laugh at me at work because I've always got somethign in my mouth. I think if you stick to healthy, whole grain choices you shoudl be fine.

Answer 6

You need to be on an iron supplement, along with your pre-natal vitamins. Talk to your Doctor. It also sounds like you have not let your body heal much in between this pregnancy and your last one. This might be the reason you are so worn out also.

Answer 7

ask doctor to check your iron level. every pregnancy is different. also your body probably never fully recovered from last preg. make sure your taking your prenatal vitamin, drink plenty of water, and make sure your eating nutritious foods. hope you feel better soon.