18 weeks pregnant, gained only 5lbs but tummy is getting bigger?

Question

I am 18 weeks pregnant, I have my Dr. appt soon...but I am worried that I am eating alot, & hardly gaining weight...but my tummy is growing big, clothes getting tighter...I think I am eating alot junk than healthy...but if I try to stop junk food, I will start losing weight, which I think is not safe.

Answer 1

Healthy is the way to go - with 3 of my pregnancies I lost weight but gained size and the baby was growing right on track
All my children have been between 6lb 14 oz and 7 lb 15 oz., so no problem there.

Eating the good foods and balanced diet is so much more important then the gaining weight. You need to be providing the proper nutrition is all that really matters. As long as your Dr is happy with the baby’s development they you are in the clear. By the way I'm 15 1/2 weeks and have only gained 3 lbs so far. - with my last pregnancy I was only 9 pounds heavier at the end of my pregnancy and with my 1st I lost 14 and gained back 19 so I was only 5 pounds heavier in the end.

All were healthy and I'm sure that you child will be also.

Good Luck to you.

Answer 2

I have 5 children, all of which were very healthy and no one could tell I was pregnant until my 7th or 8th month. (Unless I was walking away from them.)
Basically, we all have different metabolisms. What some of us can eat, others can not. But if you want to do the right thing then try (as much as possible) to eat things that are good for you. But don't ignore the little cravings either. Some people believe that you crave things that the body needs and you right now are craving for 2 bodies. But don't worry about you weight. Your doctor will do that. Make sure you are honest with him so his evaluations are precise and trust in him. If you want, you can ask him what you should have in your diet, and he can tell you.
Just remember that having a baby can and should be the most exciting time in a womans life. So don't worry so much. Enjoy this time. Use it wisely. You will have plenty to worry about soon enough.
The most I ever gained with any of my pregnancies was with my 3rd baby. I gained a total of 26 lbs. Some people called me lucky. I am lucky. She was a healthy 7lbs 11oz. So there is nothing wrong with not getting really heavy all at once.
Good Luck to you and Baby

Answer 3

Junk food isnt giving your baby its best start, it needs iron, protein etc to be born healthy. If you can eat junk food you can eat real food thats healthy. The baby takes what it needs to live so the 5 lbs isnt a big deal right now because at 18 weeks the baby doesnt weigh but a pound at most. So youve gained 4 lbs not the baby. If you stop eatting junk food sooner or later your get hungrey and eat real food. For your babys sake health and well being you need to eat veggies, some meat/fish and fruits. Stop buying junk food altogether.If its not in the house you cant eat it. By the way, if you dont eat right you have a better chance of a miscarriage, or still born baby. After the baby is born junk food fat is much harder to get rid of too.

Answer 4

You might be surprised! I am 14 wks and my clothes still fit - i don't LOOK any bigger (other than in the face and chest), but i've already gained 12 lbs. I also quit smoking, so that adds to the weight. At least 6 of those lbs is in my chest alone, and i'm convinced that the other 6 are simply water weight.
I am also eating a lot, and I'm listening to my cravings. I could be eating better, but as long as I sneak in a salad and take my prenatal vitamins I'm okay. There is absolutely nothing wrong with surrendering to your cravings as long as you strike a balance. Just had my appointment yesterday and the doctors exact words when feeling my "ponch" were "OH GOOD! You're growing very nicely!"
So, even if you haven't gained much weight, as long as your baby is growing, you should be okay. But let me tell you, I was shocked to see how much I weigh, because I simply don't look as heavy as I am. Could be the same for you. Good luck with everything!

Answer 5

Hey, I'm at 18 weeks too, and haven't gained much weight, or even much of a belly for that matter (some of that is from the throwing up a lot) but the doctor seems to think the baby is growing just fine, so I'm not too concerned.

About eating healthy - don't think of it in terms of eating less, or it being like a diet. Think of it as just making sure you're getting the vitamins and nutrients you and your baby need. A good quick hint to know if your getting the variety you need is that your meals have lots of different colors, so take your lunch (whatever it is) and see if you can add one more color to it (by throwing in a fruit or veggie, or cheese, or something new to it).

Answer 6

It's called being pregnant. All women gain differently. I didn't start gaining weight till 17 weeks. I'm now 26 weeks and haven't hit 20 pounds yet. Your body will catch up and if there is a real issue, the doc will tell you. Just eat like you've been eating. I'm pregnant with number 2 and I gained nothing at 6 weeks and I still had a little bit of a belly.

Answer 7

Honey, congratulations on gaining the 5lbs. I lost 15 pounds with my 2nd child in the first trimester. It took me forever to gain weight. Don't eat junk food to gian weight. This is called empty calories. They do nothing to benefit you or baby. It actually will increase your risk of gestational diabeties. You can still gain weight eating healthy foods. Just make sure you are eating 300 extra calories a day. It sounds like you are coming along just fine!

Answer 8

Just eat healthy and the weight will come on. Don't stress. I am 19 weeks and started gaining weight a few weeks ago and have now gained 9 lbs.

Answer 9

It doesn't matter how much weight you put on, so eat healthily. You doctor/midwife will tell you the same.
At this point in your pregnancy, you won't be gaining a lot- the baby is devloping internally, rather than putting on weight- that comes later, in last few weeks.

Weight isn't as important as the fundal height, which is monitered more closely than weight in pregnancy.

Answer 10

Thats fine, as long as you eat, and take your vitamins the baby is getting all the nutrients it needs. If your belly is getting bigger then you know baby is eating and growing too. If you are very concerned keep a journal of what you eat and talk to your doctor about it. Good Luck.