How to not gain weight if I get pregnant?
ashleygroizard
Posts: 181 Member
Hi I am thinking about having a baby. I’m worried about gaining weight. I’ve been losing weight for the last four years and I was wondering if I keep doing what I’m doing will I gain weight if I get pregnant and after my baby is born? I would love another baby but i haven’t made a decision yet on whether to try for another baby. I do a 8km walk most days if not most every day of the week. And I’m eating less and I’m under my daily calorie intake recommended total every day.
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Replies
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Unless you are massively overweight you should gain weight while pregnant, you're growing a tiny person!42
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How much weight is normal to gain?TavistockToad wrote: »Unless you are massively overweight you should gain weight while pregnant, you're growing a tiny person!
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ashleygroizard wrote: »
How much weight is normal to gain?TavistockToad wrote: »Unless you are massively overweight you should gain weight while pregnant, you're growing a tiny person!
that's a question for your doctor28 -
It's great that you're thinking ahead about how to have a healthy pregnancy!
If you're able to stay active throughout pregnancy it makes for an easier third trimester and labour - as well as helping minimise weight gain/recover more smoothly afterwards.
Some things which I personally think would have been useful to know/focus on before conception (just based on my recent experience) :
- Squats with weights are a great way of preparing for the extra load. I built up to squatting 70kg prior to pregnancy and credit that with still being able to walk a few miles a day right up until 40 weeks.
- Pelvic floor exercises!
- Invest in a good maternity sports bra. I couldn't easily run after 16weeks, due to... additional bouncing... but with hindsight, I think better equipment would really have helped4 -
First, talk to your doctor about YOUR recommended weight gain. If you are within normal BMI range, I think the recommendation is 15 to 25 pounds.
Next, I had a really healthy pregnancy for baby number four by tracking my macros, getting enough protein, and exercising consistently. By the last ten weeks, I could only walk or jog, but I did it! In my opinion, it’s maintaining those good habits throughout pregnancy that’s the most important. If you maintain good habits, it will be easy to stay in shape during and after. I’ve also done the “I can eat whatever I want because I’m eating for two” approach and not only was it harder to get back in shape afterward, I had to relearn good habits again. Good luck to you!11 -
With your fourth baby how much weight did you have to lose?First, talk to your doctor about YOUR recommended weight gain. If you are within normal BMI range, I think the recommendation is 15 to 25 pounds.
Next, I had a really healthy pregnancy for baby number four by tracking my macros, getting enough protein, and exercising consistently. By the last ten weeks, I could only walk or jog, but I did it! In my opinion, it’s maintaining those good habits throughout pregnancy that’s the most important. If you maintain good habits, it will be easy to stay in shape during and after. I’ve also done the “I can eat whatever I want because I’m eating for two” approach and not only was it harder to get back in shape afterward, I had to relearn good habits again. Good luck to you!
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Maybe you shouldn’t have a baby yet
Perhaps do some more research24 -
You can and should eat healthfully and sensibly and exercise during pregnancy (in consultation with your doctor). You should not attempt to lose or even not gain weight. Your primary concern during pregnancy should be health (yours and your baby’s). Take care of that and then you can take care of losing any fat you gained later. You’re supposed to gain fat during pregnancy, so if you don’t want to, you should reconsider having a baby.11
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Look, your baby obviously gains weight. It will go from zero to 7-9 pounds.
The baby comes with a placenta, which also has weight.
The baby is floating in fluid, which... weighs something.
In order to give the baby the oxygen in needs, your blood volume increases by 50%. Remember that liquids have weight.
That baby is made of bones and muscles and skin and hair, and every single cell has to be built out of the building blocks of life that come from food. If you try to restrict during pregnancy out of a fear of weight gain, you're potentially restricting the building blocks your baby needs. SOME of it can be pulled out of your bones and teeth and muscles, but do you want that?
AS a side note, with both kids, exclusive breastfeeding took all my weight off -- and then some -- without me even trying to lose.48 -
How much weight you gain will depend on your starting weight/stats but above all your doctor/OB/midwife will guide and monitor you to decide what is best for you and your pregnancy.
I started off a healthy weight with my last two pregnancies and first gained 40lbs and second 35lbs, very healthy pregnancies and deliveries. Most of it was baby, placenta, fluid, etc and came off within a few weeks. The rest was fat, which is fine because I find I lose weight so fast with nursing that I needed the reserves.6 -
Every pregnancy is different and there's just no way you can control some things, including sometimes weight.
With my first pregnancy, I had such horrible all day morning sickness throughout the entire pregnancy, that I went into the delivery room weighing less than what I did at my first prenatal visit, (had a 6 lb girl 2 weeks early). My second pregnancy started out the same-horrible morning sickness but it stopped after 6 months and I ended up about 10lbs with additional weight, (another 6lb baby girl, few days early). Then my son came along-3 months light morning sickness, gained 30lbs the rest of the pregnancy and he came late, as an 8 pounder
If you're not pregnant now I'd just focus on getting into the health BMI range, if you're not there already. When you become pregnant your doctor can help you figure out what the best weight goal for you will be.5 -
I think when you decide to become a parent; you need to be selfless. There are so many things you will sacrifice in order to give your child the best. If your self image (weight gain) is that important to you; I think you should wait. Whatever you do during those 9 months of development will have lasting effects on your child for his/her life. Just like drinking; smoking; diet pills will cause birth defects; so will under eating and lack of nutrients.27
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There are many good replies here.
Why would you try to not gain weight? The whole process is growing a human being inside of you, and it’s normal, and healthy, to gain weight.
You really need to discuss this with your OB.8 -
I have the same concerns OP. I won’t be able to get pregnant until this fall but am working hard this year to get down to a healthy BMI before conception. Thanks for posting, the replies were helpful! I’ve heard 15-25lbs is pretty normal. I’ve had friends who shed the baby weight in a year and others who took longer.4
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From a man's point of view....
My wife gained whatever weight she felt she needed to ensure that our kids were taken care of from conception on. She ate to fuel the process and all the other activities. All of it was to ensure that our sons and daughter were nothing other than a top priority. She was stunningly beautiful to me because of her complete selflessness in the process. Did she care about her image during and after each one? Of course. But it was much lower on the priority list for her and for me. Now as we reach later stages in life, and we realize our youthful images are fleeting (although they haven't fled yet ), it's that inner beauty we know that lasts. That sounds cliché, but it is very much true.
OP, your value as a mother is much more than your body composition. Even though I know it's important to you, I hope you don't elevate that over (what I consider anyway to be) the more important things.50 -
the weight recommendation used to be 26 lbs but now its higher. a nutritionist can help w that information and don't give yourself permission to eat everything in sight because "you are eating for two" you are not. you are eating for you and the baby eats from you...8
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ashleygroizard wrote: »
With your fourth baby how much weight did you have to lose?First, talk to your doctor about YOUR recommended weight gain. If you are within normal BMI range, I think the recommendation is 15 to 25 pounds.
Next, I had a really healthy pregnancy for baby number four by tracking my macros, getting enough protein, and exercising consistently. By the last ten weeks, I could only walk or jog, but I did it! In my opinion, it’s maintaining those good habits throughout pregnancy that’s the most important. If you maintain good habits, it will be easy to stay in shape during and after. I’ve also done the “I can eat whatever I want because I’m eating for two” approach and not only was it harder to get back in shape afterward, I had to relearn good habits again. Good luck to you!
I gained 25 pounds with that pregnancy, and in retrospect it was all pregnancy related tissue and fluid because it came off almost instantly.
The reason I was so diligent with number four was because I had circulation issues that were becoming worse with each pregnancy. I tried to keep weight gain to a minimum because I knew that would be easiest on my veins. Pregnancy and postpartum is no joke. Your body is not your own and you have to accept with grace that you’re not entirely in control. Of course, it’s worth it.6 -
Healthy weight gain based on BMI (and a singleton pregnancy), if you are:
underweight (BMI* less than 18.5) - 28 to 40 pounds
normal weight (BMI of 18.5 to 24.9) - 25 to 35 pounds
overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9) - 15 to 25 pounds
obese (BMI of 30+) - 11 to 20 pounds
The below thread has a lot of good information about pregnancy weight gain and post-partum
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10176233/gaining-weight-during-pregnancy-and-losing-it-post-partum/p110 -
Most people should gain weight during pregnancy. If you're a healthy weight, recommended is around 25-35 lbs, less if you're overweight. The thread linked above is a good source of info. Pregnancy is not the time to try and lose weight (for most people). Think of the weight of the baby itself, the extra fluid, placenta, your growing uterus, your breasts, etc.5
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I gained 37lbs with my 1st child. I was at a normal BMI when I got pregnant. I ate decently with some cravings for ice cream. I worked up until the last 2 months and continued to walk daily until the last 2 weeks.
By the time I left the hospital after having the baby, I had lost 20lbs. The baby weighed 7lbs+...and the afterbirth, fluid, etc alone weighed 13lbs+. By month 8 postpartum, I had lost the rest of the baby weight. Breastfeeding burns an awful lot of calories.
I understand that weight gain can be a concern before you get pregnant, but the weight loss will happen if you are patient and committed to weight loss.8 -
ashleygroizard wrote: »
How much weight is normal to gain?TavistockToad wrote: »Unless you are massively overweight you should gain weight while pregnant, you're growing a tiny person!
You need to sit down and have a good talk with your doctor/OBGYN.11 -
As people have said, you *should* gain weight-- no more than 30 or 40 lbs (max) though. Eat all the food you want as long as it has a high nutrient value. But limit sweets and other "empty calories". Listen to your body by trying to imagine how it will feel while you are eating a particular food and after you eat it. You can even try to tune in to your baby to see what he/she needs. Breastfeeding your baby will also take the weight off. Talk to your doctor too.6
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Talk to your doctor about the appropriate weight gain range for you
Weight gain is normal from the weight of the baby, placenta, waters, extra blood and some tissues (hello extra cup size)
I lost weight in pregnancy, it wasn't on purpose, I don't recommend it
I was so sick I was hospitalised and ended up giving birth at 25 weeks and had to be rushed to surgery post partum at 5 weeks
The aim is a healthy baby at the end of the pregnancy, a little extra weight is a small price to pay8 -
I was a normal/healthy weight prior to my pregnancy.
I gained 24 lbs and had a normal, healthy pregnancy in which I stayed active.
I was below my pre-pregnancy within 8 weeks of giving birth.
LET YOUR BODY GROW A TINY HUMAN. You have to prioritize the health and wellness of YOUR CHILD above your own vanity.10 -
I've had two pregnancies now. I started both at a normal BMI, and being very active (running+weights). I gained 35ish pounds the first time around, likely closer to 40+ the second time around. I continued being active and eating relatively healthily throughout both pregnancies (more so the first time around than the second). With my first I was back to about the same weight within 5 weeks of birth; with the second I was at about 15 pounds over my normal weight at 6 weeks postpartum, and have been back to logging again and steadily losing that since then - now, at 3 months postpartum, I'm within five pounds of my prepregnancy weight.
While I was very worried about the weight I might gain during pregnancy, especially before my first, I have now come to realize that if you eat pretty healthy and stay relatively active (if the pregnancy permits - mine were normal and I was able to be active), the pregnancy weight does come off. Breastfeeding does help. Getting back to an active routine postpartum also helps. The one thing I will add is that despite the weight coming off, the body does change - I didn't have the same core strength after my first that I did before, and my shape changed as well even though I was at the same weight. However, I'm sure this will also get better with time and effort.0 -
About your shape changing:
Pregnancy loosens your ligaments. A lot, in the case of your pelvis. I know a lot of women who have found that their skeletons are permanently altered -- rib cages wider, pelvis a bit different. This isn't something you can prevent with exercise or necessarily get back with exercise.
(it's also a reason to get back into activity gently and take your time; it takes awhile for the ligaments to tighten up. I felt great at about 2 weeks postpartum and took the baby for a long walk. By the end, I could feel my pelvic bones shifting against each other really uncomfortably. "Feeling good" doesn't mean you should go all-in, excerise wise!)4 -
Silentpadna wrote: »From a man's point of view....
My wife gained whatever weight she felt she needed to ensure that our kids were taken care of from conception on. She ate to fuel the process and all the other activities. All of it was to ensure that our sons and daughter were nothing other than a top priority. She was stunningly beautiful to me because of her complete selflessness in the process. Did she care about her image during and after each one? Of course. But it was much lower on the priority list for her and for me. Now as we reach later stages in life, and we realize our youthful images are fleeting (although they haven't fled yet ), it's that inner beauty we know that lasts. That sounds cliché, but it is very much true.
OP, your value as a mother is much more than your body composition. Even though I know it's important to you, I hope you don't elevate that over (what I consider anyway to be) the more important things.
Wow! Reading this actually brought tears to my eyes. Your wife is very blessed to be married to you.14 -
Sounds to me like OP is already a mom... and I don’t know that trying to preserve health gains with kid #2 is vain. But i agree with everyone that consulting with health care professionals about how much weight to shoot to gain is probably the way to go, and is based on current weight. Also, barring medically challenging pregnancies, there should be no reason not to keep exercising throughout. I loved walking throughout both my pregnancies, as well as water aerobics, swimming, elliptical, and other things (I’m a runner now, wasn’t then). It helped me to think of labor as a big physical challenge I needed to fuel appropriately and train for in terms of endurance 😀
ETA: I lost all my pregnancy weight effortlessly with #1 by 4-5 months postpartum because of nursing. The second one was tougher because I was working full time and had my oldest and wasn’t prioritizing my health, but I don’t regret it! And now (they’re 10 & 16), my weight is lower than it was back then, and nothing has felt terribly hard.1 -
My thought exactly.Competeballpythons wrote: »Maybe you shouldn’t have a baby yet
Perhaps do some more research
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Sounds to me like OP is already a mom... and I don’t know that trying to preserve health gains with kid #2 is vain. But i agree with everyone that consulting with health care professionals about how much weight to shoot to gain is probably the way to go, and is based on current weight. Also, barring medically challenging pregnancies, there should be no reason not to keep exercising throughout. I loved walking throughout both my pregnancies, as well as water aerobics, swimming, elliptical, and other things (I’m a runner now, wasn’t then). It helped me to think of labor as a big physical challenge I needed to fuel appropriately and train for in terms of endurance 😀
ETA: I lost all my pregnancy weight effortlessly with #1 by 4-5 months postpartum because of nursing. The second one was tougher because I was working full time and had my oldest and wasn’t prioritizing my health, but I don’t regret it! And now (they’re 10 & 16), my weight is lower than it was back then, and nothing has felt terribly hard.
I have a child already that was taken off me due to a lot of severe circumstances due to being very unwell. I’ve been told my child may never come home to me and his dad. I was told to have another child if I’m mentally stable. I put on a lot of weight which made my knee caps pop out of place which was excruciating pain. I have bad knees it runs in my family. I’m scared of putting on weight because of how bad the pain was. I’m not quite sure I deserve another child. I want to wait to see if my one and only beautiful child comes back to me but he may never come home. I’m not sure what to do because I don’t want to do wrong by my son or another child. Maybe I am being selfish like people have suggested. I just want to be a good healthy mum that’s well. I let my son down and I regret being so mentally unwell. Maybe I should not have another child. Maybe I was never meant to be a full time mummy having my child live with me. I’m doing the best I can and trying so hard to get my son back and I don’t want my son to feel I’m replacing him. Because no one can replace my Blakey boy.18
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