Losing weight before trying to get pregnant!

helpimfalling
helpimfalling Posts: 53
in Getting Started
I am trying to lost about 35 more pounds before my husband and I try to get pregnant! I'm so excited to start trying! I love spending time with my 3 nieces and my best friend's 4 year old boy and I've had horrible baby fever ever since I got married. I'm finally in a place where I have a job that I could come back to after having a baby (part time, know the schedule months in advance) and I'm living near my parents, who are retired. It's a great time in our lives to try, except... I'M OBESE! I'm scared that my weight would affect the baby's health or mine if I tried to get pregnant now. I'm trying to lose the 35ish pounds to get a little out of the "obese" BMI category before trying to get pregnant. Then I'm sure it'll take a few months and I'll continue my weight loss until I conceive! I'm hoping that by getting into healthy habits now that it'll be easier to teach a child healthy eating and hopefully it'll be easier to lose the baby weight after!

Anyone else doing this right now? Or have any tips for getting healthy for motherhood? :)
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Replies

  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I have about 50-60 lbs to lose before my hubby and I start trying for our first baby. I've lost 15 so far. :) Our goal is November 2015. Is it weird that I'm feeling more motivated to lose weight for someone else (future baby) than I ever have about losing weight for myself? Lol.

    Add me as a friend If you'd like.
  • helpimfalling
    helpimfalling Posts: 53
    I'm in the same boat. I have about 50-60 lbs to lose before my hubby and I start trying for our first baby. I've lost 15 so far. :) Our goal is November 2015. Is it weird that I'm feeling more motivated to lose weight for someone else (future baby) than I ever have about losing weight for myself? Lol.

    Add me as a friend If you'd like.

    EXACTLY! I've only been at it a couple weeks but this is definitely more focused that I've ever been toward my health. Weird. :)
  • UghLorUgh
    UghLorUgh Posts: 12 Member
    Me too! I've never been more motivated to lose weight until the hubby and I decided we wanted to have a baby. I am also 50 lbs. from where I want to be before we try. I'm so excited about what is to come and every time I get discouraged I try to think of my future little one.

    Hang in there, ladies! We can do this. :smile:
  • GCanha
    GCanha Posts: 66 Member
    Hi- without knowing how "Obese" you are, it's difficult to give you advice.

    I was "Obese" before getting pregnant with both my daughters. During pregnancy was the only time in my life when I couldn't seem to gain any weight. I had morning sickness that lasted all day- and through half of each preganncy- so I had a very hard time eating at all- and keeping it down. I only gained 21 lbs with my first daughter and 19 lbs with the second one.

    I focused on eating as healthy as I could. Even though I struggled to gain weight, both my daughters were close to 9 lbs each (and the second one was born 4 weeks early!) I also focused on staying active.

    If you and your husband want to get pregnant- I suggest you speak to your doctor first and get their advice.

    It's great that you have a motivation to lose weight- but I think you should focus on doing this for yourself- otherwise, you might have a hard time sustaining after the baby. Start developing healthy habits that you can sustain during and after the pregnancy as well.
  • onefortyone
    onefortyone Posts: 531 Member
    I am also trying to get out of the obese category before trying for my second baby - my first daughter was stillborn in January and I know it had nothing to do with my obesity, but I know that I want to be as healthy as possible before trying again. Plus I definitely am still grieving so eating well, exercising and self-care are definitely what I need to be focusing on right now (even though I am desperate to be pregnant again, and also have super strong pangs of overwhelming baby-fever).

    As for tips, the only thing I can advise is that you start a prenatal vitamin sooner rather than later - you'll want the folate and nutrients in your body before conception happens, so in case you fall pregnant earlier than planned or on the first month of trying, you will be covered.

    I have 40lbs to go until I'm out of the obese AND overweight categories and into a 'healthy' BMI range, so that is my goal :) feel free to add me.
  • tweedledee16
    tweedledee16 Posts: 58 Member
    I was around 265 lbs when I got pregnant with my son. I had a rough pregnancy because of my weight, had gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia which caused me to deliver 6 weeks early, in a very very very uncomfortable state - physically and mentally! My little boy was fine after 18 days in the NICU. Anyway, my husband and I have been having the discussion of another child over the last year, and this has been my main motivator to lose weight. It is strange that it's so much more motivating to have that goal in mind, but it works. And I know I'm in a much better place, weightwise for my next pregnancy, whenever we decide to start trying. Best of luck with you. All the advice I can give is to eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, small meals, and exercise regularly. This does a lot to prepare your body for baby! :) Good luck! so exciting!
  • SpectacuLaura
    SpectacuLaura Posts: 144 Member
    I'm doing the same thing! I have about 35lbs to lose and my husband and I aren't trying to get pregnant ....but we're also not "not" trying. Just going to see what happens and try and drop as much weight as possible in the meantime. Definitely a different kind of motivation from all the other times I tried to lose weight. Send me a friend request if you'd like! I'm always looking for like-minded awesome people on here to add to my support group.
  • Realtree2429
    Realtree2429 Posts: 81 Member
    I think that that is one best goals that you can work toward! I will tell you that was how I quit smoking 6 years ago. After two miscarriages (I always quit when I found out), I quit smoking cold turkey, got pregnant with my daughter and carried her full term. Well, almost, but that's another story. The healthier that you are, the healthier your baby will be. Good luck and enjoy your goal!
  • miss_rye_
    miss_rye_ Posts: 94 Member
    Good luck with the baby making!

    My advice, get on a program and stick to it, to include once you get knockered up :) I am obese myself, and what is working for me is weighing my food. I can see my body changing!
  • helpimfalling
    helpimfalling Posts: 53
    Hi- without knowing how "Obese" you are, it's difficult to give you advice.

    I was "Obese" before getting pregnant with both my daughters. During pregnancy was the only time in my life when I couldn't seem to gain any weight. I had morning sickness that lasted all day- and through half of each preganncy- so I had a very hard time eating at all- and keeping it down. I only gained 21 lbs with my first daughter and 19 lbs with the second one.

    I focused on eating as healthy as I could. Even though I struggled to gain weight, both my daughters were close to 9 lbs each (and the second one was born 4 weeks early!) I also focused on staying active.

    If you and your husband want to get pregnant- I suggest you speak to your doctor first and get their advice.

    It's great that you have a motivation to lose weight- but I think you should focus on doing this for yourself- otherwise, you might have a hard time sustaining after the baby. Start developing healthy habits that you can sustain during and after the pregnancy as well.

    I should have mentioned I have appointments with my doctor in a couple weeks and with the OBGYN in 2 months (I scheduled back in July, but it's really hard to get in). I'm just trying to get some advice and encouragement in the meantime, since it takes so long to get appointments with either. Thanks for your concern!

    I am 205. 175ish would be no longer "obese" by BMI. I know BMI is not the best thing to trust, but it's about all I've got. At 165 a while back, I was teaching dance classes, running, and was generally much healthier, so I want to get back to that point and re-evaluate before trying to conceive.
  • tag624
    tag624 Posts: 166 Member
    Not trying to be rude, but if you are just now motivated to lose weight to have a baby and not really for yourself then what is going to make you keep the weight off?
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
    Any reason/motivator to lose weight is a good reason when you weigh as much as I do. I'm 100lbs heavier than I "should be" For me,weight has been a struggle my entire life. A constant battle of ups and downs and bad habits I acquired from my family members before I even started elementary school (emotional eating etc.)

    No matter what anyone says - losing weight so my baby will be healthy, and so that I can be a better mom to teach them a better lifestyle as they grow up is a fantastic goal. What is wrong with wanting your children to have a chance at a healthy life and a healthy mom (something I didn't personally have)?

    I understand some people might feel motivation to stay fit will drop after the baby is born... and maybe that is true... but isn't it a good idea to give it your best shot anyway? No one tells someone not to try to quit smoking before their pregnancy because they might not stick with it later... that's not the point! Also, babies don't just disappear after the pregnancy...they will continue to motivate (or exhaust... lol) you for a long time in the future.
  • helpimfalling
    helpimfalling Posts: 53
    Not trying to be rude, but if you are just now motivated to lose weight to have a baby and not really for yourself then what is going to make you keep the weight off?

    Also not trying to be rude back, but you don't know every reason I have for losing weight. A baby is NOT the only one. I'll continue towards goals of health even after having a baby. I'm reaching out with that reason to try to find like-minded people who are in a similar place and mindset in their weight loss. Thanks for your concern.
  • helpimfalling
    helpimfalling Posts: 53
    Thank you to the rest of you for the motivation and the friend requests from awesome, supportive people! That's exactly what I need right now.
  • CassieR6
    CassieR6 Posts: 280 Member
    I am in the same boat. I am trying to loose about 40lbs before we start trying. It will be his first my second. We want a baby so bad but I as well think its smarter if I am in shape not only health wise but so I don't have 40lbs plus baby weight to loose after! :flowerforyou:
  • Kiki829
    Kiki829 Posts: 60 Member
    Each time I have been pregnant, I have been in the "Obese" category. I am very lucky that I am a healthy "obese" person, even while pregnant. I have no problems with BP, my cholesterol is fabulous, all my bloodwork is always excellent. Even birth goes very easily for me. The nurses actually told me this last time that I am built for having babies, lol. However, I am losing weight right now so I can get back to the old athlete in me, and I would love to have one more when I am actually thin so I can be a cute pregnant person and see how I look being pregnant and thin. It's an exciting prospect, but not my main motivator right now. Good luck ladies!! You can do it!!
  • AlysonG2
    AlysonG2 Posts: 713 Member
    I was overweight, almost obese, when I got pregnant with my first (187 at 5'6.5"), and still ended up gaining 60 pounds by eating everything in sight, topping out at 248 the day I had my son. My only advice would be: DON'T DO WHAT I DID! Lol.

    But seriously, I was lucky to have a very easy pregnancy despite being so incredibly overweight. I weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with #1 (175ish), although I'm still overweight. I'd be ok with getting pregnant with #2 now, but honestly I'd like to be about 15 pounds lighter before I do, because I now know how unbelieveably difficult it is to lose the weight AFTER the baby comes. I'd also like to know what pregnancy feels like at a healthy weight. Feel free to add me if you'd like :). I'm here every day.
  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    Future babies is one of the reasons I'm losing weight too. I am morbidly obese (only about 30 pounds away from just obese) I know that getting my weight down will help a lot with fertility and pregnancy. We are still a few years away from TTC, but it would be great to start pregnancy as a healthy person, especially compared to my current morbid obese stage. And it will be great to be at a healthy weight after babies too, more energy, and better chances or actually being able to be there for everything with them, I'd hate to miss out on running around a playground with my future kids because I'm too fat or sore to get off a bench and play with them.

    Good luck!
  • nicsflyingcircus
    nicsflyingcircus Posts: 2,899 Member
    I was 190lbs when I got pregnant with my first, 286 with the second, around the same with the third, and 220 with the fourth. I have four healthy, strong, bright, perfectly normal children. They are 14, nearly 12, nearly 11 and 9. I never suffered from gestational diabetes (and in fact when I had my A1C done a few weeks ago at 317 lbs, it was 4.7, or near perfect) and other than my gallbladder going down during the 4th pregnancy (30 weeks), my weight cause absolutely no difficulties to conceiving, carrying or birthing my horde.

    Losing weight before you conceive can't hurt, but being obese while pregnant is no sort of death knell.
  • helpimfalling
    helpimfalling Posts: 53
    I was 190lbs when I got pregnant with my first, 286 with the second, around the same with the third, and 220 with the fourth. I have four healthy, strong, bright, perfectly normal children. They are 14, nearly 12, nearly 11 and 9. I never suffered from gestational diabetes (and in fact when I had my A1C done a few weeks ago at 317 lbs, it was 4.7, or near perfect) and other than my gallbladder going down during the 4th pregnancy (30 weeks), my weight cause absolutely no difficulties to conceiving, carrying or birthing my horde.

    Losing weight before you conceive can't hurt, but being obese while pregnant is no sort of death knell.

    Definitely! I know plenty of people who have had babies at many different weights and have healthy babies. I'd just rather be safe than sorry. :)
  • skinnybythanksgiving
    skinnybythanksgiving Posts: 159 Member
    I am also trying to get out of the obese category before trying for my second baby - my first daughter was stillborn in January and I know it had nothing to do with my obesity, but I know that I want to be as healthy as possible before trying again. Plus I definitely am still grieving so eating well, exercising and self-care are definitely what I need to be focusing on right now (even though I am desperate to be pregnant again, and also have super strong pangs of overwhelming baby-fever).

    As for tips, the only thing I can advise is that you start a prenatal vitamin sooner rather than later - you'll want the folate and nutrients in your body before conception happens, so in case you fall pregnant earlier than planned or on the first month of trying, you will be covered.

    I have 40lbs to go until I'm out of the obese AND overweight categories and into a 'healthy' BMI range, so that is my goal :) feel free to add me.

    I am sorry for your loss. It's one of the worst things a person can go through. I've been through it with a son.

    Helpimfalling, I think you are doing a wonderful thing for you and your future child losing the weight before you conceive.
  • courtneyh1083
    courtneyh1083 Posts: 6 Member
    You can add me. My husband and I are currently trying to conceive and my doctor recommended The Fertility Diet as well, so I've been tracking my food.

    As for the other comments on this post... haters are going to hate. Do what works for you!!! Even the people who say "I'm losing weight for me!" have motives that likely are a bit underlying. :)
  • sbjmorgan
    sbjmorgan Posts: 158 Member
    I'm losing weight and thinking about having another kid when I'm closer to my goal. I had pre eclampsia with my last pregnancy though there's no indication it was weight related, but I need to be I better shape to run after two kids! Good luck to you :)
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    I think a lot of women think they need to eat for two adults when they get pregnant, which creates a real weight problem after they have the baby. Many develop a eating pattern of way to many calories long after. And we see women, including on this board, who blame their obesity on their children--LOL.

    The fact is, you can still count calories while your pregnant, and yes you can still exercise while you're pregnant.

    So I am a little confused as to why women are just now wanting to lose weight, because they want to have a baby. Did your doctor tell you to get out of the obese category before having children? If so, why?

    Obesity, regardless if you're wanting to have a baby or not, is now the number one health crisis in the nation today, with type 2 diabetes skyrocketing. So even more importantly you want to make certain, that your baby is born into this world with a very healthy active mom to raise him/her. IOW I hope your reasons for losing weight are for the long term, and not just so you can give birth.
  • Lelah77
    Lelah77 Posts: 177 Member
    I love that you have found a motivator. Be sure to work towards building healthy habits that will remain long after any and all your children are born. on a side note, I have an increase in fertility when my weight is in a healthy range. Each of my pregnancies (3) happened when I was in a healthy weight range after trying throughout my weight loss process.

    Good luck!
  • zzk0485
    zzk0485 Posts: 51 Member
    I am also like you...trying to lose around 50 lbs. I just had my yearly check up with my dr. and has asked him how much weight he thinks I should lose before trying to get pregnant again with my second child and thats what he told me, my hear sank for several reasons. I wish you the best of luck and stick with it!! Add me if you'd like :)
  • jillian_fan2425
    jillian_fan2425 Posts: 167 Member
    My husband and I aren't going to start trying for a baby for a couple more years, but that is one of the reasons why I want to get in better shape. I think it'll be easier for me to stay healthy during and after pregnancy if my good habits are already in place by that time. Plus, I'd like to enjoy my awesome new body for a little while before I put a baby in it :)
  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    So I am a little confused as to why women are just now wanting to lose weight, because they want to have a baby. Did your doctor tell you to get out of the obese category before having children? If so, why?

    Yes, in fact he did. I have PCOS and it plays with fertility, especially the more weight you carry, I was told my chances of conceiving naturally are not very high right now, but if I get to a healthy weight it will be much easier. Of course you can still have a healthy pregnancy while obese, just statistically speaking the chances of a good healthy pregnancy are better the healthier mom is
  • JayCee625
    JayCee625 Posts: 13
    I tried for years and years and tears and tears to get pregnant. Yoyo dieting, fertility treatments (twice, two different periods in my life).... Nothing worked. I gave up completely. At 34, the doctor told me I was borderline diabetic. I was 334 pounds at that time. Not wanting to be diabetic motivated me. Im finally doing it, I told myself. Besides---only three months on a diabetic diet to get my A1C levels down... Then I could go back I eating whatever I wanted.

    Let me tell you a secret. After three months, it's just a habit. I got soooo much smaller. Left the diabetic threat zone far behind. I decided to keep going. After about a year and a half (little less).... I was down 130 pounds. 200 was the smallest id been since high school. My PCOS resolved itself---weight loss is a miracle for the body. And the doctors said, at 35, that I was just as fertile as any other woman my age. Admittedly, it was a bad time---35 it starts decreasing. I went in fertility treatments again.

    It didn't work. So I gave up that dream. Almost a year trying -- enough. I said, I'll be 36 next month and I give up. It is what it is.

    We stopped trying. Two months later, the weekend that we were
    Married--I got pregnant. This little girl is a miracle. It was hard work losing the weight---but worth it to have her in my life.

    Of course -- I let it go while I was pregnant and gained like 55 pounds. So now I'm trying to take that back off :). Keep going ladies. It's worth every bit of sweat and stress to have that baby. Congrats in advance. Be proud of yourselves for taking the steps to get healthy so you can have a baby. <3
  • SandyBVTN
    SandyBVTN Posts: 367 Member
    Wow Jeanniebee625 congratulations - what a wonderful story!

    I'm not trying to get pregnant currently, I think those days are over for me. I will say though that I wish I would have lost a little weight before becoming pregnant with my son! I had just gotten married and knew we were going to start trying asap, so I basically gave myself licence to indulge in whatever delicious things I could get my hands on during our several trips (honeymoon then two other out of town weddings). I gained over ten pounds in the two months before getting pregnant, then another 30 during. Huge mistake!!

    Ladies who are going to lose a bit first, then maintain your healthy lifestyle while you are expecting - good for you. This is an awesome and important choice to make. You will be so happy that you went this route.

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