With my most recent pregnancy, I didn't gain as much as I had with previous pregnancies. Partly because it's just the way it worked out and partially because the newer recommendations are to gain a bit less these days. You're probably wondering what is going to happen with your pregnancy weight gain. Unfortunately, pregnancy is not the time to go carte blanche and eat all you want, you are still subject to adding those extra party pounds. Remember weight gain doesn't have to be the first sign of pregnancy! I did read recently that the average weight gain, in general, is one pound over the holidays, but when you're pregnant it's more of making every bite count. So while you can still enjoy yourself, just remember that moderation is the key to avoiding those extra pregnancy pounds.
In fact, in one study about pregnancy weight gain in women who are obese (BMI above 29), it is being said that not only do they not need to gain a lot of weight, but a neutral gain and even a loss may be perfectly acceptable for these patients. One of the studies talked about the benefits of weight loss in pregnancy, as far as preventing some diseases like pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes (GD) and it could even help lower the c-section rates. Though, as with any medical study there may be flaws. So before you jump on the band wagon, make sure you read an alternate view before you leap.
Related:
Source: Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes in Obese Women How Much Is Enough? Deborah W. Kiel. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007;110:752-758
Photo (c) iStockPhoto
I am overweight, and with my first pregnancy gained 17 pounds. This pregnancy, I am 31 weeks along and so far have gained 8 pounds. My doctor is happy with this, as I have enough weight already to grow and deliver a healthy child. It would be nice to eat anything and everything you want, but to me 9 months of overindulging is not at all worth the hassle of trying to lose the weight afterwards!
It’s disturbing that weight gain in pregnancy is always spoken of as a choice. I exercised religiously with my first, monitored every morsel that passed my lips, and still gained 50+ pounds. I gained 75-ish with my second (never lost it all), 40+ with my third, and now I’m expecting our 4th. I have never had GD or PIH, and my deliveries have all been vaginal with healthy babies. Some women’s bodies just pack on the pounds, regardless of what the current medical trend is. I have made myself miserable with diet and exercise, only to have a finger wagged in my face as if I were lazy or gluttonous. I beg all doctors and nurses to be more compassionate.
I am 35 weeks pregnany with my fifth child. I gained around 40 lbs with the previous pregnancies, but with this one, I can’t seem to pack on more weight. So far I have only gained 20 lbs, and people are just as uncompassionate with little weight gain as thay are to “too much” weight gain. People say I’m not eating enough, or I’m unhealthy. I have put food in my mouth even when I haven’t been hungry, still when I step on the scale each month, not much of a change. My Doctor says she’s rather see me with a 15 lb weight gain rather than 70lb. I guess all that matters is if each month the baby is measuring properly and growing as it needs to.