Overweight and pregnancy weight gain.. your experience?

[Onja]

Hey Girls, I am wondering how those of you who are overweight dealt with weight gain during pregnancy?

I was 76kg before getting pregnant. I didn't want to gain any weight during my first trimester BUT I think a combination of coming of low carb diet and having no morning sickness resulted in gaining about 3kg. I maintained without weight gain for about a month in my second trimester and then I put on a massive 2.5 kg in like a week! That really scared me, I didn't gain for a couple of weeks but then continued to put on about 2 kgs in following month.

So right now at 24.5 weeks I have put on about 8kgs. I might not be as worried if I were not overweight but it's really hard to find info on what is acceptable. I fall just in the obese range which many recs say not to put on any weight but the annoying thing is there is no differentiation between someone who started at 77 and someone who started at over a hundred kg or more

I eat VERY healthily. Muesli and yoghurt for breakfast, salads with fish for lunch or soup for lunch, Stir fries or lean meat and veg for dinner. Snacks are fruit, almonds, rice cakes for snacks. No sugar, cake, biscuits. I'm also doing lots of walking, yoga and pregnancy aerobics.

Please give me your advice. I love being pregnant but the weight gain is making me very depressed! I barked at my sister the other day when she said "Oh stop being silly and have some dessert" ..I started yelling about weight gain and gestational diabetes and realised how much it's affecting me

[Arimeh]

I was overweight with all my pregnancies, more so with the last because I didn't lose the pregnancy weight between my DD's.

I gained 22kgs with DS and DD1 - and probably about 12-14kg with DD2 - since I was already heavy.

I think the "recommended" is about 10-15kg - but some women gain 5 some gain 40 - its all up to what your body does.

I say eat in moderation, exercise in moderation - and throw out those damn scales - you're having a baby!

[~Phoenix~]

I'd tried to lose some weight and wanted to get down to a "healthy" weight before I did get pregnant, but that didn't happen and I was about 78kgs, 8-10kgs more than what I "should" weigh when I got my BFP.

I was told by GP not to put on any weight during pregnancy....yeh right lol. I actually weighed myself yesterday and I've put on 8kgs in total up till now and by no means have I been strict with my diet, I try and eat healthy most of the time but the odd choccy donut & macca's somehow make it's way in there (ok more often than they probably should) and I don't do regular exercise, I try work it into my everyday running around etc.

I just figure your body does what it needs to to grow a healthy bub, whether it be use up fat stores or add some more.

I agree with Arimeh, everything in moderation & chuck out the scales - as long as you and bubs are healthy is all that matters.

[Loupy]

I was 66kg when I fell pregnant and I'm horrified to say I've gained almost 30kg. I had terrible morning sickness for about 5 months and haven't watched what I eat at all, nor have I done one skerrick of exercise due to painful fluid retention. I feel really yukky being over 90kg but unfortunately I've just had one of those extremely uncomfortable pregnancies and have had to come to terms with it all. I always imagined having a beautiful experience, not gaining any weight, exercising throughout and just 'glowing'. None of those things happened and I barely recognize my swollen face in photos these days.

Basically, what I'm trying to get at is that you can never predict what your body/hormones are going to hand you and you just have to cope as best you can .. For example, you are still eating exceptionally well, and you should be really proud of yourself for that. My entire diet was flipped upside down. Same with your exercise regime.. You should be really pleased with yourself that you still have the energy/motivation!

I understand how you are feeling, but try and enjoy your good health and that you are actually pregnant! You are obviously doing everything you can to look after yourself so keep it up and stop worrying!

[Loupy]

I was 66kg when I fell pregnant and I'm horrified to say I've gained almost 30kg. I had terrible morning sickness for about 5 months and haven't watched what I eat at all, nor have I done one skerrick of exercise due to painful fluid retention. I feel really yukky being over 90kg but unfortunately I've just had one of those extremely uncomfortable pregnancies and have had to come to terms with it all. I always imagined having a beautiful experience, not gaining any weight, exercising throughout and just 'glowing'. None of those things happened and I barely recognize my swollen face in photos these days.

Basically, what I'm trying to get at is that you can never predict what your body/hormones are going to hand you and you just have to cope as best you can .. For example, you are still eating exceptionally well, and you should be really proud of yourself for that. My entire diet was flipped upside down. Same with your exercise regime.. You should be really pleased with yourself that you still have the energy/motivation!

I understand how you are feeling, but try and enjoy your good health and that you are actually pregnant! You are obviously doing everything you can to look after yourself so keep it up and stop worrying!

[RhiChiChi]

Sounds like you are eating & exercising exceptionally well whilst pg. You might just want to check that your museli doesn't have a high amt of sugar.

Your body will gain the amount of weight it needs to during your pg. You need to remember that you carry extra body tissue, placenta, fluid and blood as well as your developing baby. On average a newborn baby weighs approx 3.5kgs. 8 kgs seems well within what the 'normal' weight gain is. The higher than usual weight gains are probably your baby growing & developing.

[MrsFabuloso]

Onja, it sounds to me like you're doing everything you can to be healthy for your babe. You need to be realistic about it, and know that you will put on weight. You're growing a baby, you have extra fluid, extra blood....your body is changing. Stop worrying baout the weight gain and just be healthy.

I was about 78ish kg when I fell pg with DD. I put on about 7-8kg. I didn't lose much of it before falling pg with DS when DD was 7mths old. I gained about 9kg with him, so ended up being around 95-ish kg. I was exercising and eating really well during my pg with DD but with DS, I didn't exercise alot, wasn't working full time and wasn't really watching what I ate. Adn still I put on about the same amount of weight I did with DD's pg. Basically I am trying to say that your body will naturally even out what nutrients it needs to sustain you and bub. If you're fairly healthy about it all and do things within healthy ranges (ie- eating and exercise), you will remain healthy. Tyr not to stress about it and enjoy your pg and your changing body! Worry about losing weight a few months after bubs is born.