pregnant and must not gain!!! (much)

I had my second baby 9 months ago, and managed to gain only 15lb total, after gaining 40+ with my first. My understanding is that you do need more calories (max 300/day), but only into the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. So, I ate as I normally would, and then added my extra calories from 4 months on with a snack before bedtime, usually a piece of toast, some cereal, or fruit. It seemed to work really well for me. I actually ended up losing a little weight, because between baby, retained fluid, extra blood volume, and other such things, it's usually 20lb+ that you're carrying that isn't actually your own weight.

I also tried to keep active, doing the same activities that I would have done normally, just making adjustments for my changing body.

I suppose those aren't super helpful tips, but I was definitely in your situation - overweight and not needing to gain much. It can be done!

Congrats on the pregnancy!!!
That's all I can say LOL because when I was pregnant all I could think about was mcflurry and a HUGE barone slab hahahahaha but it's over now, after giving birth the weight came of quicker than I expected, maybe it's because I was breastfeeding. All the best!

I've had three children and gained too much each time. I exercised until 34 weeks with my first, and ate healthily. I wasn't using MFP then so wasn't tracking, but I'd lost weight for my wedding prior to getting pregnant, and didnt change the way I ate. I lost the majority of the weight after before getting pregnant again when he was 13 months old.

I didn't really exercise much with my 2nd - exhausted due to running round after a toddler, nauseous, working, and I had some bleeding too which put me off. I gained loads and was massive. I don't think I ate too badly though, apart from a few too many sweet treats. Anyway, I lost all the weight and more after, and by the time she was 2 (she's now 4) I was the thinnest I'd been since my early 20s. I'm 37 now.

So I started my third pregnancy super slim and fit, exercised until 38 weeks, worked, looked after my then 2 and 4 year olds and logged in MFP, firstly below, then at maintenance. And I still gained too much. In fact, I actually think I gained more than in my 2nd pregnancy, although I'm not sure how when I look at photos.

Anyway, my 3rd is now 13 months and size wise I'm not too far off pre-pregnancy (see recent profile pic), but weight wise I reckon I need to lose about 20lbs.

My point is that you lose the weight after (with a little effort lol) so try not to worry too much, and enjoy your pregnancy.

I found it hard in the first trimester with both my daughters as I was so nauseous and couldn't eat my usual things, I just really needed carbs to stop feeling sick.

aggelikik wrote: »

MoMofBrody13 wrote: »

Is it inevitable that I will gain weight, even if I try to maintain a caloric intake that should sustain my current weight? I am well overweight, and doc only wants me to gain 20lbs tops. I know that I don't really need more calories than when not pregnant, that eating for two is a myth, but any tips people have would be helpful!

Ask for a nutritional plan and follow it religiously. Your dr should be able to refer you to a dietician.

I highly recommend this. I gained around 35 lbs with my first and was miserable. I had gestational diabetes the second time, and the dietician coached me on my restricted diet. That plus being more careful by not changing my intake first trimester meant that I only gained 17 lbs and felt great.

I will also add that you should keep in mind that your body is changing by increased blood supply, vessels, placenta, etc. so please don't get the mindset that any increase in the scale is fat. My second pregnancy I walked out of the hospital 5 lbs lighter than when I got pregnant, and was still retaining fluid.

aggelikik wrote: »

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

I've had three children and gained too much each time. I exercised until 34 weeks with my first, and ate healthily. I wasn't using MFP then so wasn't tracking, but I'd lost weight for my wedding prior to getting pregnant, and didnt change the way I ate. I lost the majority of the weight after before getting pregnant again when he was 13 months old.

I didn't really exercise much with my 2nd - exhausted due to running round after a toddler, nauseous, working, and I had some bleeding too which put me off. I gained loads and was massive. I don't think I ate too badly though, apart from a few too many sweet treats. Anyway, I lost all the weight and more after, and by the time she was 2 (she's now 4) I was the thinnest I'd been since my early 20s. I'm 37 now.

So I started my third pregnancy super slim and fit, exercised until 38 weeks, worked, looked after my then 2 and 4 year olds and logged in MFP, firstly below, then at maintenance. And I still gained too much. In fact, I actually think I gained more than in my 2nd pregnancy, although I'm not sure how when I look at photos.

Anyway, my 3rd is now 13 months and size wise I'm not too far off pre-pregnancy (see recent profile pic), but weight wise I reckon I need to lose about 20lbs.

My point is that you lose the weight after (with a little effort lol) so try not to worry too much, and enjoy your pregnancy.

I found it hard in the first trimester with both my daughters as I was so nauseous and couldn't eat my usual things, I just really needed carbs to stop feeling sick.

Being very overweight or gaining too much weight during pregnancy, increases significantly the risk for serious health issues with both mother and baby. OP's dr has already warned her to be careful, and I doubt he/she is concerned about how nice she looks in a bikini, this about ensuring the best possible outcome for her and the baby. So, ignoring him, it does not sound like a safe plan. Plus, even for vanity reasons alone, many women cannot easily lose after a baby. Carrying this "baby" weight while the baby in question is in college, it is pretty typica.l

Yes but you cannot always control what you gain, which was my point. I did everything to minimise gain and still gained. Yes, I wasn't even overweight when I started my pregnancy so I know it's a risk if you are, however some women do gain regardless and telling them they can't gain is a bit pointless.

In England, where I live, your weight is only taken at your booking appointment and never again. No-one obsesses over pregnancy weight here like they seem to in the US. If your BMI is too high then you go under consultant care, which I think basically means you have more scans (otherwise you just gets scans at 12 and 20 weeks).

I didn't say weight loss was easy either. I've worked my a*se off to lose pregnancy weight. I was in the gym as soon as I'd had my 6 week check, after all 3 of mine.

I'm curious (and I think it goes along with OP's question).

If you are say, 20-50lbs overweight to begin with, do you really need to eat more while pregnant?

It seems like you could continue eating the same calories because you were consuming too many to begin with. The the extra will now go to the baby's development (instead of fat).

Do you exercise now? I would definitely continue to do so. I was not overweight when beginning each pregnancy, but I gain a ton while pregnant. The only way that I was able to stay healthy was to keep active. I had a very hard time walking because of back problems. I tend to have large size babies also and my last pregnancy was a set of very large twins (both 7 1/2 lbs +).
Anyway, even though I couldn't walk very much, I was able to do the elliptical at the gym, and do nautilus for weight resistance. So even though I gained 40+ pounds (60 pounds with my second!), the weight came off easier (with the help of weight watchers) because I was still active.
Find an activity that you can stick to… maybe an after dinner walk with family or friend, swimming, classes at the gym, whatever. Continue logging in your food too. See the nutritionist. Your insurance probably will cover a few visits.

Congratulations!! I'm 24 weeks and trying to keep it healthy (with #1). I started out about 20 lbs overweight, too. Definitely finding myself eating more than before, but adding healthy foods ( I eat eggs and more meat now). I'm also trying to do yoga every AM and 30' of cardio and some weights after work. Had gained 7 lbs at 20 weeks, but he's been growing a lot recently, and have 24wk appt coming up in a few days. I added you as a friend, so we can support each other through this scary/exciting time: )