Pregnant and trying not to gain a lot of weight!

Hi there, I'm 23 weeks pregnant and just returned to MFP.. prior to getting pregnant, I was diagnosed with PCOS due to prediabetes so my number 1 goal then was def to keep my blood sugars low... however, when I got pregnant, the first trimester was just rough, I had no energy to log in what I ate, I didn't even really want to eat (nausea was just terrible), and i think i gained like 4-5lbs during 1st tri...

Anyway, things got better 2nd tri, but it's like I gained weight overnight, it was that quick LOL.. I think i'm up 12 lbs right now (which is still not bad for 23 weeks pregnant). However, I went in for my 20-week scan a couple weeks ago and the perinatologist told me -- actually, gaining ZERO is a good goal for you... LOL.. i literally laughed out loud and was like are you serious??? I had told myself i was going to allow myself to gain 15-20lbs MAX, but he comes out from the left field saying ZERO is good?!?! His main concern was that prior to pregnancy I was already prediabetic, overweight, and had PCOS which to him translated that i have a much higher chance of developing Gestational Diabetes...

That kind of scared me a little -- his office called me a few days after the appointment (and during our Babymoon!!) to tell me he prescribed a Glucometer and to start checking my blood sugar FOUR TIMES a day everyday for the next 2 weeks... I guess he was really that concerned.. Baby is doing very well based on our anatomy scan, but it's like he went into 911 mode when it came to my health, which actually I do appreciate because this entire time I did have the mentality that "oh, well i'm growing a human, it's totally ok to gain, etc etc".. but for most of us who started out heavier and with conditions like PCOS or prediabetic, YES the goal is healthy baby -- but baby needs US to be healthy for them to succeed even in utero..

So, i totally understand you OP.. and not sure where you are physically (stats wise), but if you were way overweight or obese prior to pregnancy, it's totally okay to maintain, and even ok to lose some weight.. however DO NOT STARVE yourself, because your body will go into a shocked "Ketosis" mode which will also tell the baby it's starvation mode and bad things just happen from there...

As for me, this testing my blood sugar so many times a day has turned my eating into an challenge/adventure because I want to prove to this doctor that I CAN DO this -- I can be healthy for me and for my baby...! It's been an overhaul with what I've been eating, but the key is STAY OFF THE CARBS... i mean seriously, i know they taste good, they're comforting, they're "filling" but they are nothing but sugar waiting to be added as fat+weight.. you need to eat to provide nutrition to Baby, but anything else on top of adequate nutrition, food is just an emotional comfort because yes we ARE tired and we ARE more emo as pregnant women, hehe..

WE CAN DO THIS! Just stay faithful to logging in your food and stay active, don't worry too much if you're not doing enough or whatnot, the point is you're actually doing things period because other pregnant women just "let go" and pay for it later.. My best wishes !

My son just turned one, but when I was pregnant with him my OB was also totally okay with me not gaining because I was (and am still) considered an obese BMI. I think I maintained my weight throughout my pregnancy and only gained maybe 5 lbs (if that) near the end because as baby's weight spiked in the 3rd trimester his weight added to mine. And he came out 7lbs, 2oz -- about average birthweight, so he definitely got enough in there! If they are concerned with the baby not getting enough, they will check in via sono and for sure measure your belly growth at every visit.

Something to think about: you will still lose some pounds of amniotic fluid, extra blood in your body, and of course the baby's weight once he/she comes out. I remember when I gave birth I weighed myself after I came home out of curiosity and was a few pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight! Now how many people can say that?! (I mean, I gained some of it back with all the stress of having a newborn, but I'm working on it).

A word of caution, though. Even if you give birth and come out weighing less, don't expect your non-stretchy clothes to fit. It took me a VERY long time to fit into some of my clothes again despite not gaining (and some things STILL don't fit a year later even though I'm below my pre-pregnancy weight again). It's like my body shape is different, so don't be discouraged like I was!!

Congrats and I truly hope you have a happy and healthy rest of your pregnancy! Feel free to add me and ask any questions you need!

I'm 30 weeks and 1 day and I too started back on MFP to monitor how I'm doing. Vitamins & nutrients..... I was also obese so keeping the weight gain down was recommended. Doing my best.... At 41 years of age I know it will be harder to lose this time.