My Dr. told me only to gain 10-15 lbs max?

Question

Because i'm a bigger girl. Isn't that a little restrictive, considering this is my first pregnancy? I mean, i'm sure i shouldn't be gaining much weight because of my present size, but i thought that the baby by his/herself plus water retention, and placenta and all that weighs in at about 20-30 lbs minumum? am i wrong?

Answer 1

Well, My Dr never told me 10- 15 pounds, but he did say since I am also plus size I would tend to gain less. I am 20 1/2 weeks and I've only gained 2 pounds. My diet is much better than it was pre-conception, so I have actually lost some "me weight" and only gained a bit of "baby weight". The doctor said my size and weight gain looks great. Just watch what you do eat and stay away from soda pop and junk food and you should be just fine. Don't stress over the weight gain, and total weight you should gain. That only makes it harder. I know that when I get stressed out that's when I really want some comfort food! So just take it a day at a time. Drink lots of water and eat healthy meals and you'll do great! Best of luck to you! And congratulations on your little miracle.

Answer 2

I'm in basically the same boat as you...only my doc said 20 pounds. What size are you normally? I'm 5'7" and 185 pounds, prepregnancy. But since getting pregnant, I've substituted water for soda and fruits for sweets and baked chicken for hamburgers, plus walking about 30 miuntes a day...and I've actually lost 5 pounds. I'm only 3 months along, though, so the weight loss won't hurt baby. She or he's still getting plenty of nutrients. I honestly think that if you eat healthier and are more active you'll find it easy not to gain much weight. Only gaining 10 pounds sounds a little crazy, since you're likely to lose at least that much in the delivery room, but maybe doc is thinking we can cut down on fat without compromising baby's nutrition. Just make sure the things you eat are quality (even if they are a bit of quantity, as well! I know I'm hungry). Good luck and I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Answer 3

They say you are supposed to gain like 27.5 pounds your entire pregnancy (that includes baby, extra fluid, placenta, your breasts getting bigger, etc). However they do adjust that weight according to your pre-pregnancy weight. If you are underweight they say to gain more. If you are overweight they say to gain less. Still 15 pounds max does seem a little low...I would say closer to 20...but your doctor knows best based on your specific situation. I would follow his or her guidelines for weight gain.

You may even find that you LOSE weight (especially in the beginning). A lot of women have bad morning sickness or food aversions which cause them to lose weight...if that's the case for you, it may not be too hard to only gain 15 pounds.

I myself have gained 30 pounds and I'm 30 weeks. I gained most of it in the 1st trimester when I quit smoking after finding out I was pregnant...It's more than what is recommended, but whatever. Me and the baby are doing fine and are healthy...I try not to think about all the extra pounds going to my butt and thighs! lol :)

Answer 4

Heh, I'm bigger as well, and I do try to watch my weight (go up lol j/k). But in pregnancy it is very hard. Just eat healthy and you'll be fine and so will the baby. Don't stress over weight gain. This is not the time to go on a diet. If your doctor becomes rude over this point find a new doctor, most doctors tell you what a general healthy weight to gain is but understand that it is not always possible to keep to such rigidity. My doctor is not concerned with my weight gain and I've put on about 25 lbs (I'm almost 38 weeks). I've never put on less than 20lbs with any of my 4 pregnancies (60lbs with my first, 40lbs with my second, 20lbs with my third, and 25lbs so far with this one). Just don't stress about it! Good Luck!

Answer 5

Here is a "typical" breakdown:
Baby 7 to 8 pounds
Larger breasts 1 to 3 pounds
Larger uterus 2 pounds
Placenta 1 to 2 pounds
Amniotic fluid 2 pounds
Increased blood volume 3 to 4 pounds
Increased fluid volume 2 to 3 pounds

Every site I visited said an overweight gal should gain between 15 to 25 pounds. Obese women should gain no more than 15. Best of luck.

Answer 6

My Dr. told me to only gain 25lbs. And I tried SO hard to only gain that much. But I had a spurt of 3 months that I gained 10 lbs a month..and now have finially started to only gain 1-2lbs a month. A Dr. can tell you what he suggests you gain but if you are like me at all..I gained 48lbs so far and dont look like Ive even gained 20. My Dr. cant figure out where the extra weight all went...but as long as it doesnt show I dont care. But just watch what you eat and if you eat healthy..you may notice that you start to lose weight instead of gain it...but your baby would still be healthy because your losing weight off yourself, just the stuff you didnt need to start with.

Answer 7

You are absolutely correct! It may be that your doctor is concerned about your weight because it can be stressful to your body. You did not say how much you weigh, but if you are quite over weight, then he may be concerned of miscarriage. Why not ask him directly why he has given you this advice...which actually would mean that you would be losing weight and not gaining, since the combined birth weight of the baby, the placenta, and amniotic fluid weigh considerably more than his suggested 10-15 pound gain.

Answer 8

Because your over weight most likely you'll lose weight if you eat healthy, It's true about the weight but the baby should be taking the vitamins and fat weight off you if your overweight.
I gave birth to 5, with my first the Dr. wanted me to gain 50lbs cause I was under the age 18 my body still needed to grow and without trying I did and he was right I was still growing so I was always starving and I didn't gain any fat at all it was all baby, with my others I gained about 15 to 20 lbs. I didn't diet I was hungry but not as starving.

Answer 9

Find another Dr. A lot of Baby weight is mother nature doing her job. Baby, placenta, extra fat (within reason), water weight, etc. Find a Dr. who will give you a diet and exercise routine to follow while pregnant. Diet meaning a list of things to and not to eat or eat in moderation. Eating the right foods and exercising will be good for both you and the baby.

Answer 10

I only gained 13lbs in pregnancy, and I was only 9 stone 12lbs to begin with. Two days after I gave birth I weighed 8 stone 4lbs. My daughter was 7lb 4.5oz at birth.

Gaining too much weight can restrict the blood flow to the baby. If you are bigger to begin with you have less weight to play with!

Don't worry too much, if you eat healthily and in proportion your body will do what is right for you and your baby. Don't think about dieting, but don't eat for two either, and you'll be fine!

Congrats on the pregnancy and good luck!!