Advice: Pregnant and Overweight?

Question

I am 26 years old and overweight. I am 5'7 and weigh 275 lbs. I have been working on my weight and have lost 60 pounds. The main reason I have been working so hard to lose weight, other than obvious health reasons, is so that I could get pregnant. And now I finally am! I wanted to have lost quite a bit more weight before I got pregant, but I am so excited I can barely contain myself! Basically I just want some advice on how to have a healthy pregnancy. Any suggestions will greatly be appreicated!!

Answer 1

Congratulations on the pregnancy and on the weight loss!! Way to go! I am 5'6" and started out my pregnancy at 279. I am down to 235 now by eating healthy (lots of fruits, veggies, lean meats and good carbs) and walking. I am 28 weeks along and feel better now than I did before pregnancy. I have been type 1 diabetic since age 14 so I can't speak for having gestational diabetes but you are at risk more than others. My blood pressure was also high before getting pregnant but it is awesome (116/68 last appt) now. I think we should start a group for us "heavy" moms and moms-to-be. I would love to chat more with any of you. I found a great website for plus size mommies: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/firstindex.html. Some of it is rubbish but there is some good information on there. Please contace me to chat any time!! [e-mail] or yahoo IM megokane

Answer 2

You can eat well, choose whole foods, and still get daily exercise, and all that helps.

I weighed more than you during my twin pregnancy, and about the same when I had Adia in 2003. The major complaints I had were muscle and joint pain (swimming helped) and gestational diabetes. You really need to be your own advocate about GD: some doctors will insist on testing and treating you like a diabetic before GD could even be diagnosed, at 28 weeks. It's a sick little trick "for your own good" - but I still don't know how four needles a day help anybody. I kept to their diet and still produced a 9 lb baby and then 15 and a half pounds of the twins.

Read up, learn all you can, eat very well, and have the happiest pregnancy you can.

Answer 3

I'm in in the same boat as you. 5'5" and 203 at time of getting pregnant (27 years old). I lost 25 pounds before getting pregnant so I could have a healthier pregnancy, too. That's great that you worked so hard to get healthy first. That's going to be a huge plus for you. Just keep sticking to your healthy diet. The two biggest risks are gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. My blood pressure dropped at the beginning but recently went up a little. I bought a BP monitor so I could keep a close watch on it. I suggest you do the same. The doctor will check for sugar in your urine at each appointment to make sure you're not developing diabetes. Eat foods high in fiber and protein without overdoing the fat. And walk as much as you can. I was jogging before I got pregnant but had to give that up because I would get too winded and overheated. But the walking has been great. Swimming is a great pregnancy exercise as well as the elliptical machine. My doctor even recommended the rowing machine because it works all over. You probably won't need to gain more than 10 or 15 pounds to be healthy, but don't beat yourself up if you gain more. The point is to stay healthy. If you want to chat more about it, you can email me. Hope this was helpful.

Answer 4

I am overweight an pg too. The first thing to do is start a healthy diet, no a weightloss diet. Eat between 1800-2000 calories per day, with alot of fruits, veggis, protien and fiber. In the beginning you will likely still lose weight, in fact some overweight women continue to lose weight throughout the pregnancy.

Its safe to exercise while pregnant too, just don't overdo it. Curves has a great program, and it adapts well to pregnancy since its already low impact.

You will need to be careful about pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. Its more common in overweight mothers, but can be managed safely when its caught early.

Good luck an congrats!! Feel free to contact me off list for more advice.

Answer 5

Take your prenatal vitamins EVERY day. They are sooo incredibly important! Make sure to eat lots of healthy foods, fruits, veggies, lean proteins, dairy, and whole grains. Continue with any exercise regimen you have already started. Exercise is great for pregnancy in so many ways. It helps you keep weight gain under control, keeps your blood flowing, and makes labor easier. Talk to your doctor, I know it can be safe to lose a little bit of weight while pregnant, but only he knows your health status and what might be best for you. Congratulations on the pregnancy!

Answer 6

I was once chubby with all three of my pregnancies. While the medical professionals are going to let you know to take a look at to not acquire weight, what they imply by way of that's to devour more healthy- take a look at consuming extra culmination and vegetables as an alternative of the junk meals that many people crave. You might truthfully be amazed that you simply lose somewhat little bit of weight even as you are pregnant. As for exercise, that's to your health care professional to pass judgement on. As lengthy as you're most commonly healthful with out a headaches to the little one, you will have to be in a position to do gentle aerobics, gentle jogging, however be certain to not get overheated even as doing the ones matters, and be certain to stick tons hydrated, and no longer permit your self get overly hungry. Eat a mild healthful snack among your foods, and begin your meal off or no less than upload a facet salad for your foods. I truthfully observed that I misplaced extra weight even as I was once pregnant than some other time I attempted. I had very supportive medical professionals regardless that, or even being overweight, they did not desire me disturbing approximately wasting weight even as pregnant.

Answer 7

Well you can continue to exercise but do not life weights my doc said if i did it before i was preg i should be able to do it now just do not make the workout more intense now that you are pregnant. And stop working out if you have any discomfort or pain. Swimming is really good it feels great especially being preg in the summer. Walking is also really good. And when it comes to eating in the first trimester you are not suppose to increase how much you eat. What alot of women do is think o i'm preg i'm ganna stuff my face don't do that even but trust me later in your pregnancy you will eat ALOT! But just eat healthy and just enjoy being pregnant. Good luck and congratulations

Answer 8

I am in your same situation. I only lost about 20 pounds before I conceived, but right now I weigh 230 pounds.

Just keep eating healthy foods and make sure to take your prenatal vitamins. I was doing weight watchers and was advised by my doctor to increase my intake of veggies, milk products and protein by 1 to 2 servings.

Good luck and email me if you have any other questions! How far along are you?

Answer 9

You know what I found out, the it's actullay a good thing to be over weight when pregnant! They said it gives the baby a lot of space to move a flex so you wont have to worry the baby comming early! But to eat healthy, just eat a lot of fruits and Veggies! but make sure your getting enough meat also, If you stil want to remain on your diet make sure you add just a little more things like if you are hungry for a snak eat peanut butter sandwich i do that and i read it was relaly good for you to do that and a glass of milk.
Good Luck and GOD Bless

Answer 10

Good job on losing what you did. Overall just make sure you eat healthy and try not to over gain . Your doctor will keep a close eye on that. I would say just try and eat fruits and veggies for snacks. I know its not easy but i am sure you can find ways to help the sweet tooth with fruit but i wouldnt recommend trying to lose weight right now. Maybe try walking a little each day too. That could help. But overall your doctor is your best guide. Congrats.