questions/curiosities -- postpartum weight loss

hist_doc

I'd like to make clear that this is not a typical "why am I not losing weight" post. Sorry for the long post but I'm doing some mental digging here, so to speak, and I'm curious to see if other women have experienced this. I'm a longtime reader of mfp, and while I don't mean to jump the gun, so to speak, I will:) Yes, I log, measure, and weigh my foods and liquids. I do not overestimate my exercise calories I'm posting this question out of curiosity because I experienced the same thing after my first pregnancy.

Background: I'm currently 3 months pp (I also have a 10 year old) and am breastfeeding. I'm not exclusively breastfeeding though we are working on getting there. My daughter was born 7.5 weeks premature and it has been a struggle to get her to nurse at all, let alone exclusively. That said, I do not take into account that I earned the maximum number of EBF calories.

Physically, I am very fit (long distance runner, cyclist, and I do some strength training) and remained very active throughout my pregnancy. I gained 28 lbs. (though delivered early), which I considered pretty good since I had gained 60 lbs. with my first pregnancy.

Stats:
Pre-pregnancy - weight: 145-150 lbs. I'm just under 5'9".
Measurements: 39-27-39 (32G bra size)

Post-pregnancy -- weight: 163-165 (give or take fluid retention fluctuation).
Measurements: 42-28.5-40.5 (32 I/J bra size)

My questions:
One week (and then at 2 weeks) postpartum I had only lost 7 lb. This didn't make sense to me since my daughter weighed 5 lb. It was my understanding that the placenta alone weighs 1-2, blood volume 1-2, as well as other fluids that gradually leave the body in the first 6 weeks.
One month later, no additional weight had budged. It was at this point that I asked my midwife about why I wasn't dropping "any" additional weight, since presumably I would have lost something from my uterus retracting, the loss of maternal blood stores, etc. She didn't have an explanation for me and simply said "everyone is different." To me, the math simply didn't add up. Again, I was not actively trying to lose weight during the first month, I was simply curious as to why nothing had changed given what is lost in the postpartum period.

At 3 month pp, I am still 13-15 lbs above my pre-pregnancy weight. Here's what I don't get--my measurements are nearly the same as they were pre-pregnancy (aside from my bust and 1" on the waist). I found the same thing occurred with my first pregnancy when I was essentially wearing my normal clothes but my weight was considerably higher for nearly a year (I EBF'd for a year). Aside from some of my shirts (for obvious reasons) my pre-pregnancy jeans and clothes fit for the most part.
n.b. I still have the postpartum sweats--I am normally always cold and now I can't seem to cool off no matter what I wear or do. I sweat all night while wearing a tank top. My poor husband, by contrast, is always freezing in the house because I keep the windows open. Is it possible that I could still be losing fluids at 12 weeks pp?

So, moms, have you experienced this? I'm curious as to why I'm still 15 lb. higher than usual but my clothes fit, and barring a little extra chub on my stomach and butt, my body basically looks like it did before I got pregnant--could a couple of inches and 2 bra cup sizes account for that extra weight? To be clear, I'm not putting any pressure on myself to get to a certain number on the scale--I'd "like" to lose my pregnancy weight but I know it took over a year the first time around. I'm asking because aside from my first pregnancy eleven years ago I haven't historically tracked my weight because I've stayed the same for the most part.

ashliedelgado

The information we have about how much weight miscellaneous things add to pregnancy weight are estimates based off of full term pregnancies. You said your baby was nearly 2 months early. This will impact it.

How old were/are you at pregnancies?

At 19 and 21, I was 250lbs, ate like garbage, gained 25ish pounds, gave up on breastfeeding after a few months because I thought pumping was weird, and bounced back and better with in weeks.

At 30, I was 185 lbs, ate thoughtully, gained 17lbs, EBF'd for 6 months, and have been pumping this whole time, and am now 3 days from a full year post partum, and have lost 9lbs. I look worse at this weight today than I did pre-pregnancy. Recovery was h*ll. I attribute it to my age, because I know I took so much better care of myself.

I'm guessing your body is hold on to fluids because of the hormones required to support breastfeeding.

MiniMightyMom

I'm 8 months pp, EBF, and sitting 13lbs above prepregnancy. I just assume im one of the lucky ones who can't lose weight significantly while breastfeeding. I lose a few lbs, my supply drops.

SezxyStef

you are breastfeeding and PP so yes you are probably holding onto fluids...

Have you had a period yet? are you using Birth control yet? are you drinking lots of water? any other meds?

ruqayyahsmum

My son was 15 weeks premature and breastfed, had a tube in along side nursing until 6 months, took to the breast 10 weeks after birth....... i gained weight after birth.

A combo of hormones and finally being able to eat and food pushing due to hypos for me

Its taken me 9 months to slowly lose 2 stone ( my boy is 20 months ) as i have to keep my cals close to maintenance to stop my milk supply tanking, my sons nutrition being my first concern

Oh and 12 years ago i gave birth at 25 weeks too....... gained 6 stone after birth while living in a hospital lol

hist_doc

I appreciate the replies. To answer your questions:
I was 27 with first child; 37 with the second.
Yes, I am breastfeeding. Still trying to do it exclusively--I exclusively pumped for ten weeks while working with lactation consultant. Still working on it but we've needed to supplement.
No period yet. Birth control is paraguard (non-hormonal IUD--same as used after having my son)
I drink a ton of water.
No medications at the moment; no medical issues and none during pregnancy.

@ruqayyahsmum, hope your little ones are doing well. my daughter also had a feeding tube but for a month--I couldn't imagine 6 months. I also watch calories closely because my supply dips if I go too low and I don't want that to happen.

I guess there's no definitive answer...my post was more of a query. to me, 15 lb. is a significant amount to have to lose. Perhaps my thinking is skewed.

ashliedelgado

I think you've had a rough couple of months, and you should be proud of yourself for giving your little so much. I also think that the hormones between 27 and 37 are significantly different, postpartum and breastfeeding aside. I don't think you have skewed thinking, you're having a different experience than you did the first time. Keep doing what you're doing mama, the stress of this is probably impacting your weight as cortisol plays it's part as well. Give yourself some grace and time.

ruqayyahsmum

hist_doc wrote: »

@ruqayyahsmum, hope your little ones are doing well. my daughter also had a feeding tube but for a month--I couldn't imagine 6 months. I also watch calories closely because my supply dips if I go too low and I don't want that to happen.

My son's doing great, he's off oxygen now and although he has a cyst in his brain he's walking now.
We knew he was unlikely to make it to term, my cervix was stitched, I was very ill so I had 4 lots of steroids to help his lungs. Hospital sent me home against my doctors orders when he went on holiday and I got very sick and he arrived 6 days later

My daughter unfortunately didn't get steroids, hospital errors left her with 2 brain hemmorages so she has cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, autism, subglottic stenosis, bronchomalacia, lung disease and she was fed thru a tube for 7 years. She's an amazing girl, fights thru so much with a smile on her face

Prem babies are strong as nails!