Scared to get pregnant?!

AlbaAngel25

i recently had a baby (6 months ago). I went into the pregnancy being about 20-25lbs over my comfortable weight range. I initially wanted to lose the weight before getting preggers, butttt things don't always turn out that way lol. I gained a lot of weight during the 9 months. I lost 25 lbs the first two weeks (retained a crap load of water), and lost another 25 over the past few months breastfeeding and not overeating.

It sucked to gained the weight that i did, but it is definitely coming off, and I am seeing my body come back to how it used to be. So don't be scared! I mean, it's only weight....not like I can't lose it

my daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me. They bring you the greatest joy in your life. You could have the crappiest day of your life, and your child could smile at you and you instantly feel better.

HonkyTonks

In the same boat. Want another baby, don't want to gain the weight that I worked really hard to lose. I am finally back down to my pre pregnancy weight and even though I think I can make better choices this time the idea of regaining is so scary that I have been putting off having another one.

SamanthaTheSpartan

I assure you, once you have your baby, NONE of it matters. You body will never be the same, but you will learn to love it. And getting back in shape all depends on your determination.

GasMasterFlash

Did you see Twilight? Babies do horrible things to your body!

rextcat

eat right and do LOTS of walking and you should be fine

jb852013

I would actually perfer to get pregnant because I lose weight when I am pregnant. Being overweight and having to go on a diabetic diet while pregnant actually helps me to lose the weight. I was probably a size 12 before becoming pregnant with my son and once I had him I was a size 6. I also love that when I am pregnant I no longer look fat! I look cute and pregnant instead. I think that if you eat right and excersize (according to your doctor) while pregnant you will be happy with your weight once you have a baby. You may have some stretch marks or saggy skin after, however that is a small price to pay for such a precious gift from God.

Qarol

I'm terrified to get pregnant, yes. That has lessened since my husband's vasectomy. But I still have nightmares about it from time to time...

sninny

Great question! I'm anxious to hear from mothers. Some people have told me that if you gain a respectable amount of weight that you'll leave the hospital with only 5-7 lbs left to go...

I gained 30 pounds during my pregnancy and somehow I left the hospital only 2 pounds lighter! My baby was almost 6 pounds, plus all the fluids and stuff that comes out, so I have no idea how that worked out. Just doesn't add up... I lost 10 pounds within a week or two but the next 20 pounds were a challenge. I can now say that I've successfully lost all my baby weight plus a few pounds. The idea of gaining weight is scary but the reward of a sweet baby makes it all worth it. Just do your best to eat healthy and exercise during pregnancy and get back to your routine as soon as you can afterward and you'll be just fine.

slightner

Use Bio Oil for the stretch mark fear. My friend just had TWINS and not a stretch mark to be found and it even helped take away old ones from previous pregnancies!

As to weight, eating healthy and exercise are good for you and the baby. I was overweight and had lost 35 pounds before getting pregnant with my first. I had lost all but 6 pounds of the 34 I gained when I got pregnant again 9 months later. After my 2nd, I lost all from the first and second plus 15 pounds. Unfortunately I have put it all back and plus. But Im working on it again to be healthy for my little men. They were worth it! Your body may change, mine did, my hips are a little wider (my 2nd weighed over 10 pounds!) and my boobs definitely will not recover, but hey thats what boob jobs are for, right?

In the end, you can have kids and grandkids to enrich and bring joy to your life or you can regret not doing it just to be thin. (not saying that those who choose not to have kids cant have a good life! just trying to say that they are worth the extra work to get the weight back off and possibility of a different body IF you want them!!)

Good luck!

AlmstHvn

I have a different perspective on this, maybe someone will find it helpful.

I was 38 when I got pregnant and I was very overweight (5'2" and weighed about 250). I lost weight the first few months of my pregnancy because I had finally started eating properly. My doctor was very pleased. Over my pregnancy, I only added about 17 lbs over my starting weight because I had made such positive changes in my diet. BUT... being 5'3", 260+ lbs and pregnant led to some health problems during the pregnancy and there were several scary days when I didn't know if she was going to be ok or not. She did fine, but we did an emergency c-section a couple of weeks before my due date because my blood pressure was sky high (200/100) and wouldn't come back under control.

So if your question is "should I get into shape before getting pregnant" or wait til after - I'd vote "now". Strengthening your heart, improving your circulation, keeping hydrated, etc. will do you and your future child a lot of good. Best wishes!

angieleighbyrd

I haven't read all the comments...

But a during a healthy pregnancy, you should only gain between 25 and 30 pounds. Of course every pregnancy is different. Being healthy before getting pregnant makes your pregnancy that much easier. Plus, don't think you can't work out because you are pregnant. Not only will it help you shed the pounds quicker after you have a baby, exorcise also helps tremendously during labor and pretty much your entire pregnancy.

If you only gain 25-30 pounds, you will seriously shed 20 of it in the hospital. Yes, your stomach will look different depending how far you stretch, but it's nothing that can't bounce back.

My favorite picture is a picture of a woman with horrid stretch marks...the caption says "Your body isn't ruined. You are a god damned tiger who earned her stripes"

Besides, once you fall in love with that baby, you won't even care about the marks.

That is until they turn into vile, unappreciative teenagers. *snort* (Help!)

angieleighbyrd

I have a different perspective on this, maybe someone will find it helpful.

I was 38 when I got pregnant and I was very overweight (5'2" and weighed about 250). I lost weight the first few months of my pregnancy because I had finally started eating properly. My doctor was very pleased. Over my pregnancy, I only added about 17 lbs over my starting weight because I had made such positive changes in my diet. BUT... being 5'3", 260+ lbs and pregnant led to some health problems during the pregnancy and there were several scary days when I didn't know if she was going to be ok or not. She did fine, but we did an emergency c-section a couple of weeks before my due date because my blood pressure was sky high (200/100) and wouldn't come back under control.

So if your question is "should I get into shape before getting pregnant" or wait til after - I'd vote "now". Strengthening your heart, improving your circulation, keeping hydrated, etc. will do you and your future child a lot of good. Best wishes!

Yes you should get into shape first. It's not dumb to lose weight only to get pregnant.

My youngest almost died because of my weight before I got pregnant. Being over weight during pregnancy causes a million complications. My pregnancy was hell. I was also induced but no c-section. I pushed her out with no drugs. All 10 pounds of her. Oy!

doinitforme2012

I actually craved HEALTHY foods when I was prego.:

THIS! and because i knew i was nurishing myself as well as my unborn child i made it a point to eat healthy and my dr told me i didn't gain enough weight. my hubby has been hinting at baby number 2 for us and i'm not afraid to get preggers at all. were not trying or anything and i'm on the pill but if it happens then its gods will. also i was smaller afer i gave birth than my pre pregnancy weight. i read "what to expect when expecting" and it said that it's normal to gain atleast 30 pounds as on average 27 pounds of that is baby and amniotic fluid. i plan on being totally fit and toned up when/if i have baby number 2 so my body can bounce back quicker and also i'll lose any extra weight i gain quicker.

doinitforme2012

I have a different perspective on this, maybe someone will find it helpful.

I was 38 when I got pregnant and I was very overweight (5'2" and weighed about 250). I lost weight the first few months of my pregnancy because I had finally started eating properly. My doctor was very pleased. Over my pregnancy, I only added about 17 lbs over my starting weight because I had made such positive changes in my diet. BUT... being 5'3", 260+ lbs and pregnant led to some health problems during the pregnancy and there were several scary days when I didn't know if she was going to be ok or not. She did fine, but we did an emergency c-section a couple of weeks before my due date because my blood pressure was sky high (200/100) and wouldn't come back under control.

So if your question is "should I get into shape before getting pregnant" or wait til after - I'd vote "now". Strengthening your heart, improving your circulation, keeping hydrated, etc. will do you and your future child a lot of good. Best wishes!

Yes you should get into shape first. It's not dumb to lose weight only to get pregnant.

My youngest almost died because of my weight before I got pregnant. Being over weight during pregnancy causes a million complications. My pregnancy was hell. I was also induced but no c-section. I pushed her out with no drugs. All 10 pounds of her. Oy!

these posters have a very good point a family member or mine was trying for her first (who is almost 6 months old now ) and she miscarried three times before her OB/GYN advised her to lose 30 pounds before trying again. she lost all 30 plus a few more and had a problem free pregnancy, she continued her healthy eating and daily walks while pregnant and only gained 20 pounds during her pregnancy, 8 of that her beautiful daughter, she was losing fat while simultaneously gaining baby.

Jennifer873

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one anxious about babies someday..they are on my hunny's mind but I would love to be healthier for me first.. : )

jenj1313

OMG yes. I don't really want kids and never have, but when I think about the "what if's" (it's not like I'm a nun, so it could happen), that always jumps to mind. Most of the women in my family got HUGE after they had kids, so it's hard not to imagine the same happening to me!

healthyJenn0915

I was not fearful at all about gaining weight during pregnancy! I had put on a few pounds before we started trying, so I worked out and lost those few before getting preganant. I will say with my first child I gained 65lbs being completely careless of what I ate and only lost about 20lbs of it before getting pregnant with my second. With my second I only gained 25lbs, because I had morning sickness for nearly half of it, and walked daily through the entire pregnancy. It was super hard to get all the weight off, but my kids are now 6 and going on 4 and I have finally gotten back to my pre pregnancy weight. Now just working on getting those last few pounds off to be back to what I was the day my husband and I got married 10 1/2 years ago! It is perfectly normal to gain weight during pregnancy, it means the baby is growing nice and healthy! If you pay attention to your eating and continue to workout you shouldn't gain that much and it should come off quite easily after the baby is born.

liftingheavy

I would not be scared. You are doing the right things now in terms of food/exercise, and you will continue those habits after the baby. From what I understand, the joy of having a child far outweighs the work may have to do post-baby.

Most of my friends continued to eat healthy while they were pregnant with, albeit a few more cheat days, and they bounced back in record time.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I'm with you. I'm afraid to get pregnant (someday) because I put a lot of work into my body, and I know it is really easy for me to gain weight. I know it sounds vain but when you've spent a lot of time overweight, it isn't a good feeling.

And I'm also with you. Its not about being selfish or vain, its because I was overweight for most of my adult life & worked so hard to be where I am right now & then all of a sudden nature tell us to gain weight because of a baby. Its not that easy & frankly even if I wanted a baby but I sooo hate the consecuences of getting bigger because of pregnancy. When that time comes, I will still continue doing what I do & making sure that I will still fit in the same clothes size that I have now before & after giving birth.