Can I continue to lose weight during pregnancy?

asilmegan34

I am HIPPOing because I'm a lazy f*cker.

First off, listen to your OB's recommendations. With my first pregnancy, I was 10 pounds overweight, but the moment I got pregnant, I ate whatever I wanted, stopped tracking on MFP, stopped working out. I gained 70 pounds.

I am currently 38 weeks with my second. I started at 22 pounds overweight. My Midwife said to only gain 20 pounds max. I have my calories set in MFP to lose .5 pound a week, which puts me at like 1650-1700 calories a day. My midwife said this was fine. At 38 weeks, I am at a 16 pound weight gain. I record what I eat, and workout. But the biggest difference in weight gain is WHAT I eat. Eating carbs are amazing and delicious, but I can be under calories till the cows come home, but if I overdo it on the carbs I will gain weight like crazy. I've been all about eating protein and that has been a huge difference.

So though I'm not a medical professional, eating protein, exercising, not indulging in a ton of sugar and carbs, was what made the difference for me.

asilmegan34

And op, if you want to friend me or pm me for questions, I'd be more than happy to assist. Good luck and congrats!

Edited to add: I was doing Jillian Michaels 30 ds and running pre pregnancy. Since pregnant, I do a prenatal barre pilates combined with biking. I look more tone in my chest, arms, and back before pre pregnancy. I have the most self esteem I have probably ever had being pregnant, because I feel strong and that I look good.

aliOop18

I would agree that a call to the OB's office prior to your visit is crucial. Healthy mama & healthy baby is the goal...please don't focus on calorie restriction - focus on eating healthy foods at a healthy portion size until you speak with your doctor.

GoPerfectHealth

I have seen many women in a twelve-step program carefully control their food and stay the same weight, lose weight or gain very little during pregnancy. These women had nutritionist, doctor-approved pregnancy diets that maximized nutrients while controlling calories. With careful food planning, these women emerged from pregnancy with happy, healthy babies and in control of their diets and their weight.

azulvioleta6

Your doctor told you to check Google? I'd be googling to find a new PCP if I were you.

I've heard reports on NPR recently about new recommendations for obese pregnant women to maintain weight during pregnancy and not gain at all. Here are a couple of links that you might find helpful.

opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/segment/study-shows-overweight-pregnant-women-can-safely-lose-weight/

npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/01/16/263110970/does-moms-pregnancy-diet-rewire-babys-brain-for-obesity

Ninkyou

You really need to discuss this with your OB.

I'm 4 weeks postpartum. In the first trimester I ate at maintenance. 2nd Trimester I added about 150-200 calories and 3rd trimester I added 300-350 calories. I gained a little over 24 lbs. I logged everyday on MFP, and yes, some days I was waaay over my calorie goal. It happens. But I gained the recommended amount for my BMI and my OB was also in the know about my calorie intake, as I made a point of it since I had lost 58 lbs prior to pregnancy.

But really, you need to speak with your OB... not your GP. And if your GP told you to refer to Dr. Google, it's time to find a new GP too.

andylllI

http://sogc.org/publications/healthy-eating-exercise-and-weight-gain-beforeand-duringpregnancy/

http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Weight-Gain-During-Pregnancy

guidelines from the canadian OB society and american OB society. Generally the higher the BMI the lesser with weight gain should be. Your OB can tailor these recommendations to fit your particular situation. The baby will take what it needs in the meantime. But please take a mulitvit for pregnant women or just folate. Folate is very important for CNS development and that part of the fetus is forming right now.

lizzocat

I wouldn't do ANYTHING until you speak to your OBGYN! Google and MFP aren't going to give you the medically sound answer

MKEgal

jcat410 wrote:

after losing 13# (I still have 50# to go), I recently found out I am pregnant. I am currently 5 weeks and I stopped taking my supplements, fat burners, etc... but I am not sure about calorie restriction.
Anyone go through this? I am currently at 240# and it horrifies me to think I will end up 300# by the end of this pregnancy.

The "fat burners" weren't doing anything anyway.

And you probably wouldn't gain 60 lb in a pregnancy. The fetus will be maybe 8 lb at the end. This study says that at term, the amniotic fluid is about 600 ml, so about a pound. This says that the placenta is about 1.5 lb.
The study below says that the placenta, fetus, and amniotic fluid are about 35% of pregnancy weight gain, and the gain overall is _less_ in women who are overweight.
So if 10.5 lb is 35%, you're looking at 30 lb total... and remember the gain is less in women who are overweight.

This study says in part:

An examination of studies published in the United States from 1985 to the present indicate that the mean total gestational weight gain of normal weight adult women giving birth to term infants ranged from a low of 10.0 to a high of 16.7 kg ...
A consistent finding across studies was an inverse relationship between gestational weight gain and pregravid body mass index... the mean gestational weight gain for 613 obese (BMI > 35) women averaged 9.1 ± 7.4 kg

That's 1.7 kg (about 4 lb) to 16.5 kg (about 36 lb).
"an inverse relationship between gestational weight gain and pregravid body mass index" means that the heavier a woman is at the start of a pregnancy, the less she'll gain during it.

I think from the time I found out I was pregnant until I delivered I'd gained under 10 lb. My midwife was constantly fussing at me, asking if I was not eating (either deliberately or because I felt sick). No, I ate whatever I wanted, even frequently indulged in chocolate malt shakes. But I'd started out overweight, so didn't need to gain much, if any. IIRC, he was over 8 lb, perfectly healthy.
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As for trying to continue to lose weight, probably not a good idea right now. All you'll need to support the pregnancy is a couple hundred calories extra per day, so if you eat at maintenance for your current weight (apx. 15 cal/lb if you're active 30 min per day) that would actually put you at a small deficit.
Focus on eating as healthy as possible, getting enough protein & micronutrients, mostly whole fresh foods & trying to have less of the processed stuff.

Unknown

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MKEgal

ketorach wrote:

I have not read any of the replies because they're all irrelevant unless they say to speak to a doctor.

Gee, presenting scientific research doesn't count for anything with you?
And how about the guidelines from the US & Canadian OB societies?

lfred12 wrote:

if I overdo it on the carbs I will gain weight like crazy

It takes 2g of water to process 1g of carbs in the body, so the few days after having a high-carb meal you'll be heavier.

But yes, getting plenty of folate is important very early in pregnancy, since the fetus' nervous system is forming.
https://www.google.com/#q=what+foods+are+high+in+folate

jonrenly

ajwall3 wrote: »

Annnnnd that's concerning that your doctor suggested Google as a valid source of medical advice....

MFP users are about as credible a source of information as a google search.

Amanda4change

As someone who's last baby was born at a low birth weight (due to medical complications) I would have happily gained 150 pounds during my pregnancy if it could have saved my son from the complications he had during the first year of his life that were caused simply because he didn't get all of the nutrients he needed. Unfortunately I didn't have that option. PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR OB about what your calorie intake as well as nutritional requirements are during your pregnancy.This is the person who not only has a medical degree, but does this for a living. Not only that they are the one who will be monitoring not only your health but the health of your unborn baby.

holliesangel

I only know of one person who lost weight while pregnant and she had terrible hyperemisses gravidium. She was sick from about the time she found out she was pregnant until they finally got a fenergren pump. It was entirely unhealthy and I wouldn't recommend anyone to try

ketorach

MKEgal wrote: »

ketorach wrote:

I have not read any of the replies because they're all irrelevant unless they say to speak to a doctor.

Gee, presenting scientific research doesn't count for anything with you?
And how about the guidelines from the US & Canadian OB societies?

Nope. People who are pregnant should be under the care of a doctor, not Dr. MFP.

Have you seen how scientific research is presented and misinterpreted every single day on MFP? I know you're not new here...

Amanda4change

ketorach wrote: »

MKEgal wrote: »

ketorach wrote:

I have not read any of the replies because they're all irrelevant unless they say to speak to a doctor.

Gee, presenting scientific research doesn't count for anything with you?
And how about the guidelines from the US & Canadian OB societies?

Nope. People who are pregnant should be under the care of a doctor, not Dr. MFP.

Have you seen how scientific research is presented and misinterpreted every single day on MFP? I know you're not new here...

Not only that we have no idea if her pregnancy is "normal" or if there is something unknown going on that makes her high risk or otherwise not medically safe for her to lose weight.

From the Society of Obstetricians and gynecologists of Canada: The following guidelines may be useful for you, but keep in mind that weight gain will be different for everybody. Speak with your health-care professional if you are concerned that you are gaining too much or too little weight.

From The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
Health care providers who care for pregnant women should determine a woman’s body mass index at the initial prenatal visit and counsel her regarding the benefits of appropriate weight gain, nutrition and exercise, and, especially, the need to limit excessive weight gain to achieve best pregnancy outcomes.

Both say TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, they are the ones who need to be advising you in this, not a bunch of people on the internet.

obscuremusicreference

This post gets to two pages and all I can think of is 30 Rock's Dr. Spaceman. Congrats and never go back to this doc, not even for a flu shot.

twillhoi

Personal experience: I delivered twins 10 months ago. While pregnant my doctor was concerned over the potential trouble I could have and suggested a low carb high protein diet. I followed it very strict. I ate healthy and never left myself feeling hungry. I did not log but simply followed my body's cues. I only gained 13 pounds (even had lost until about 20 weeks) my doctor monitored me closely. He said that as long as the babies were thriving then there was no problem . They were 6 weeks early and we're still 4-11 and 6-4. After having them I was 24 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant. This was long and no its not the normal experience, but if you focus on getting the good stuff I think it goes a long way on keeping you and the baby healthy. Congrats!

Dori_B_84

I know many here have said this already but you need to a good OB/midwife and probably advice from dietitian/nutritionist.
At 240lbs no matter your height you are pretty overweight and therefore should be managing your weight during pregnancy. This mean that you probably won't be able to continue losing weight but you also don't want to put on tons of weight through the pregnancy as this isn't good for you or the baby.
The specific advice you will need will need to be targeted to you: your current exercise regime (which you should probably keep up as long as comfortable), any dietary concerns and any side-effects or issue you might experience as a result of the pregnancy (morning sickness etc) will contribute to what exactly you should aim for both in calories, nutrient splits and pregnancy weight gain targets. Therefore the internet won't be able to help you set specific goals because we don't have this info and it will likely need to be updated frequently as your pregnancy progresses.
If you are particularly concerned about diet and weight during the pregnancy phone your OB's office and ask to have an earlier appointment with a suitable staff member to discuss concerns regarding your weight and diet.

jcat410

I read each and every response. Thanks everyone for the input, it is appreciated.

dolliesdaughter

I hate to name call, but your GP sounds like an idiot. Your need to google for a new GP.

SandyCoils

ajwall3 wrote: »

Annnnnd that's concerning that your doctor suggested Google as a valid source of medical advice....

Uhhhhm, for real? Wow. I'm sure that with your OB looking at your unique situation, he/she will do what is in the best interest of you and your baby. I do have a personal friend who was in your same predicament and she ended up losing weight during her pregnancy because she stayed active, ate healthy and had a great relationship with her OB and she had a healthy baby. Mind you, she was very obese, and strictly monitored by her OB. I think that you should be very open and honest with your OB and express your concerns and let he/she guide you. Also, listen to your body. If exercise becomes painful or uncomfortable, cut back and/or talk to your OB. If you're hungry - eat.

Your baby is going to get its nutrition regardless - from you, voluntarily or involuntarily. If you're not eating enough, you'll be getting robbed of your nutrients while the baby continues to grow. For example, I've read articles of ladies losing teeth during pregnancy because they didn't consume enough calcium (to support the growing baby as well as her needs) because the baby was using what the mother did consume. Let me tell you, that scared me enough to drink plenty of milk, eat yogurt, etc. LOL

Congrats to you and would you come back and give us an update?

callsitlikeiseeit

(1) you need to find a new primary doc - any doc who says google it is a shoddy professional

(2) you need to talk to you OB and go by THEIR recommendations, not those of us on here, who do not know your history, medical issues, possible pregnancy complications, etc..... its one thing for us to give advice to a non pregnant person, but do you really want to take medical advice from strangers when it comes to the health of your unborn baby? (no matter how well meaning we may be)

ColinsMommaOC

I lost 15Lbs (265 to 250) during the last 3 months of my pregnancy, while the baby continued to grow and be healthy. But I was boarder-line for gestational diabetes and was put on a restrictive diet to avoid having to take insulin. I would wait til your OB appt and ask him/her. They will know better than anyone here or your GP. It is possible to do it safely (for you and baby) though.