Weight gain? How much is normal?

I gained around 16 lbs and I'm only 16 weeks. Does this even sound normal? I was freaking out all weekend. I eat well and exercise regularly. I haven't over ate either. It just doesn't make any sense. I know your supposed to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy but this much, so fast? At this rate I'll gain 50 lbs for my whole pregnancy. Did any of you gain this fast? I hope this slows down!!!

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

My doctor refuses to weigh me when I come in. He says as long as I am at no more than rate of 1 lb per week he is fine. Remember that your body is gonna do what it needs to do in order to keep baby healthy. If you are eating right and doing some activity you are fine.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

My 1st pregnancy - I gained fast (probably 15+ lbs in the 1st 20 weeks) and it evened out. I was on the thinner side before I got pregnant and wound up gaining about 35 lbs (in 37 weeks). 2nd pregnancy I was back at my normal weight/size - I didn't gain at all in the start (less than 5lbs in 20 weeks) and still wound up gaining 30-35 lbs in 37 weeks - my body caught up. So far this pregnancy - I feel huge but the weight gain is similar to pregnancy #2 - slow and steady and now gearing up for big gains (i packed it on in that 20-26 week period). I really think it is how your body is meant to carry a baby and not much can be done...esp if you eat normally and remain active.

Message edited 11/7/2010 8:26:00 AM.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Thanks girls! That definitely makes me feel better. I also started off on the skinnier side; I was never anywhere near underweight but I was small so maybe that's why?!

I mean I definitely do have cheat days where I eat like crap but for the most part I eat healthy. Is it still ok to cheat once in a while? I may cheat one meal a week on weekends.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

I know this may sound weird, but have you tried not looking at the numbers? I know the doctor has to weigh you, but could you turn your head away and just ask the nurse or doctor to let you know if the weight gain needs to be put in check? I don't own a scale at home and I think it really helps because I can't obsess over the numbers.

Like you I've been small my whole life and the thought of suddenly seeing numbers that I have never seen before really really freaks me out. On top of which I was so sick and tired my first trimester that just taking my dog for a walk was vigorous. Drastic change from the regular workouts I used to do. It's really hard to not obsess over the changes.

I really believe that your body will really do what it needs to right now and we don't have too much control over how much we gain especially when you are eating healthy and exercising.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

I'm not understanding "cheating"? EAT. It's okay to eat. If you are disciplined and not chowing on garbage all the time it's perfectly fine to eat fatty foods. You SHOULD be eating more calories.

My SIL took spin classes until well into her third trimester and STILL gained about 60 pounds.I gained all of my weight in my first 2 trimesters, but only 1-2 pounds my entire third. My point? Your body is going to do what it is going to do.

Here's the thing- and I've posted this before- *this* time in your life is literally a blip. It all moves SOOOOO fast, before you know it your LO will be here and the weight will come off. WHY waste an iota of this time worrying about something that is so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. ALL that matters is that your baby is healthy (which of course you know!).

I am not trying to make light of your feelings. They're your feelings and of course they are valid. But I PROMISE that eating what you normally wouldn't eat pre-pregnancy isn't going to ruin you or hurt your baby.

Message edited 11/7/2010 8:44:20 AM.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Posted by KevinNKristin8-15-08
see usually I don't even step on the scale. I haven't since before I got pregnant but yesterday stupidly out of curiosity I weighed myself. It was the highest number I have ever seen in my life; it was really hard.

I know I'm supposed to gain but I never expected so much in this short period of time. It's really tough sometimes even though it's for the best possible reason.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Posted by Porrruss

I'm not understanding "cheating"? EAT. It's okay to eat. If you are disciplined and not chowing on garbage all the time it's perfectly fine to eat fatty foods. You SHOULD be eating more calories.

My SIL took spin classes until well into her third trimester and STILL gained about 60 pounds.I gained all of my weight in my first 2 trimesters, but only 1-2 pounds my entire third. My point? Your body is going to do what it is going to do.

Here's the thing- and I've posted this before- *this* time in your life is literally a blip. It all moves SOOOOO fast, before you know it your LO will be here and the weight will come off. WHY waste an iota of this time worrying about something that is so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. ALL that matters is that your baby is healthy (which of course you know!).

I am not trying to make light of your feelings. They're your feelings and of course they are valid. But I PROMISE that eating what you normally wouldn't eat pre-pregnancy isn't
going to ruin you or hurt your baby.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Posted by KevinNKristin8-15-08

Posted by drwifettc

I know this may sound weird, but have you tried not looking at the numbers? I know the doctor has to weigh you, but could you turn your head away and just ask the nurse or doctor to let you know if the weight gain needs to be put in check? I don't own a scale at home and I think it really helps because I can't obsess over the numbers.

Like you I've been small my whole life and the thought of suddenly seeing numbers that I have never seen before really really freaks me out. On top of which I was so sick and tired my first trimester that just taking my dog for a walk was vigorous. Drastic change from the regular workouts I used to do. It's really hard to not obsess over the changes.

I really believe that your body will really do what it needs to right now and we don't have too much control over how much we gain especially when you are eating healthy and exercising.

see usually I don't even step on the scale. I haven't since before I got pregnant but yesterday stupidly out of curiosity I weighed myself. It was the highest number I have ever seen in my life; it was really hard.

I know I'm supposed to gain but I never expected so much in this short period of time. It's really tough sometimes even though it's for the best possible reason.

Message edited 11/7/2010 8:57:20 AM.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Posted by drwifettc

Posted by KevinNKristin8-15-08

Posted by drwifettc

I know this may sound weird, but have you tried not looking at the numbers? I know the doctor has to weigh you, but could you turn your head away and just ask the nurse or doctor to let you know if the weight gain needs to be put in check? I don't own a scale at home and I think it really helps because I can't obsess over the numbers.

Like you I've been small my whole life and the thought of suddenly seeing numbers that I have never seen before really really freaks me out. On top of which I was so sick and tired my first trimester that just taking my dog for a walk was vigorous. Drastic change from the regular workouts I used to do. It's really hard to not obsess over the changes.

I really believe that your body will really do what it needs to right now and we don't have too much control over how much we gain especially when you are eating healthy and exercising.

see usually I don't even step on the scale. I haven't since before I got pregnant but yesterday stupidly out of curiosity I weighed myself. It was the highest number I have ever seen in my life; it was really
hard.

I know I'm supposed to gain but I never expected so much in this short period of time. It's really tough sometimes
even though it's for the best possible reason. [/QUOTE


Oh, I totally understand. Even for the best possible reasons seeing numbers that are way way higher than we ever saw before is a little traumatic.

It's been so hard for me to not constantly compare myself to other pregnant people or people that recently had kids. I just try to keep thinking that everyone is different.

In the end the fact that you work out will help you. I like to
think that even if I gain more weight than I would like we know how to eat right and work out which is half the battle.


ETA: Put the scale in the garage or get rid of it for a few
months. I'm following a strict NO google NO scale policy.

See that's the hardest thing- comparing yourself to others. I do it constantly and I know I shouldn't. I automatically think well this person didn't gain weight this fast, how can it be normal?!?! I really need to stop doing this.

I like your no scale, no google policy! I need to incorporate this to my life too!!!!

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Depends on the person. I didn't gain any weight in the first tri, but my body changed almost immediately. (Now I'm 36 weeks and up 32 pounds, so I've caught up!) I admit its hard to see those numbers on the scale sometimes, but in reality, your body is doing what it's supposed to do. You're building a healthy baby. Try not to stress it.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

yea it totally sux seeing those numbers fly up on the scale- I didnt gain much initially but now at 38 weeks I am up about 30 pounds- but the baby is healthy and I will lose it- so try not to stress!

you are very healthy- you work out and eat better than anyone I know- if anyone can lose it after the baby its you!

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

I started on the heavy side (I'd gained 15 lbs after my wedding, so I was about 25 lbs overweight when I got PG since I never did lose that last 10 lol) and my OB said that he'd like to see me gain between 25 and 35 lbs through my pregnancy total, but he wasn't worried about it if I gain a little more.

My SIL gained 85 with her first pregnancy and she's totally back to normal and fine now. Everyone's body is different and adjusts to being pregnant differently. It's really important NOT TO DIET while you're pregnant. As long as you're eating appropriate nutrients that you and the baby need, eating extra is ok if it makes you feel good. It will all even out in the end.

I had really bad m/s so I didn't really start gaining much until the second trimester. I was probably up about 6 lbs then it took off... yesterday we ate a HUGE lunch at this bbq place in downtown Raleigh since my dad's in town visiting and I had SO MUCH to eat that I didn't eat ANYTHING the rest of the day! That never happens!!! I got on the scale this morning (I weigh myself every morning and night because I'm curious) and I was down 2 lbs lol. So at 31 weeks, I'm up a total of 20 lbs since I got PG. But when I was at the OB two weeks ago, I was up 22 lbs. Honestly, from morning to night, I'll sometimes go up about 5 lbs!! It so isn't important. Just relax and enjoy the pregnancy!!

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

In theory: During your first trimester, you should gain between 2 and 4 lbs.. Thereafter, you should be gaining 1 lbs. per week until the end of your pregnancy. (my doc actually says .5 pounds a week)

Now...every person is different. I gained like 3 pounds in the first tri and it was very steady, then toward the mid/end of the second tri, I had a period where I gained 7 pounds in 4 weeks....it ebbs and flows. Right now, I'm 32 weeks and have gained about 21 pounds. I could gain 5 more, or 10 more. It's a lot of water, blood volume, baby, placenta--there are many factors. Also, try not to weigh in so much. I do once a week, and when I go to the doctor, I don't pay much attention to her scale. Why? It's usually late in the day, I've eaten, had water, etc. I do once a week, first thing in the morning. If you were very tiny before getting pregnant, which you seem, it is possible to gain more. Also, 16 weeks is early and I recall still being fairly bloated--almost like menstrual weight.

Message edited 11/7/2010 9:33:44 AM.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

I'm up 23lbs at 25 weeks. I asked my doc if that was ok and he was fine with it. Said 1lb a week is right on track.

I was never a "weigher" pre-pregnancy. I never cared what my actual weight was as long as I felt good and fit in my clothes. It's been hard to say goodbye to my old body but I know the prize at the end is worth it.

I wouldn't worry about eating like crap every now and then. Your body will gain what it needs to gain in order to support your pregnancy. It's ok to indulge every once in a while!

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Yup, this is me. I gained alot, but I was eating well, and still going to the gym (in the beginning). I am 24 weeks and up about 20-22 lb. I think I gained slight weight everywhere (only noticeable to me really), but it's all in my belly. It doesnt matter how healthy I eat, the weight just comes on. IT was hard, but I just began to accept there is nothing I can do about it, and I am a VERY vain person. It's hard to watch, but really.. what can you do????!??! You have to eat.

I am sure I will pack on 40 lb by the time it's all said and done. But I will be back in that gym asap, and shedding the weight. I am so motivated already.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Check out this website http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy-weight-gain-estimator
it gives you like a range of what your supposed to gain depending on your size/weight before you are pregnant. I am a petite girl. I am not even 5 ft... I'm only 4'11 and 1/2 lol.... and I normally weigh between 100-105 (Varies with bloating/period/etc) but that's pretty much where I'm usually rate. I'm only 5 weeks pregnant, but I was curious to see how much weight I'm supposed to gain and they said someone like me could gain 25-35 lbs during pregnancy.

Goodluck! I'm sure that if you are eating healthy and exercising not only are you maintaining good weight for you and the baby, but I'm sure some of that may still be muscle weight from the exercising!

Message edited 11/7/2010 9:59:22 AM.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Posted by KevinNKristin8-15-08

I gained around 16 lbs and I'm only 16 weeks. Does this even sound normal? I was freaking out all weekend. I eat well and exercise regularly. I haven't over ate either. It just doesn't make any sense. I know your supposed to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy but this much, so fast? At this rate I'll gain 50 lbs for my whole pregnancy. Did any of you gain this fast? I hope this slows down!!!

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

Posted by Babylove10

Posted by KevinNKristin8-15-08

I gained around 16 lbs and I'm only 16 weeks. Does this even sound normal? I was freaking out all weekend. I eat well and exercise regularly. I haven't over ate either. It just doesn't make any sense. I know your supposed to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy but this much, so fast? At this rate I'll gain 50 lbs for my whole pregnancy. Did any of you gain this fast? I hope this slows down!!!

Your beautiful kristin. Breathe.

Re: Weight gain? How much is normal?

I gained a lot with my first child. Like 59lbs a lot. When I went for my first visit this time around, I asked why no one ever said anything to me about my weight gain. My dr shrugged and said "healthy mommy, healthy baby." My bp was steady, no gestational diabetes and normal fetal development. I still had a v-delivery, and my son was 7lbs 4oz. And I was back in pre-pregnancy clothing 6 months pp.

It's weight gain with a purpose. It is VERY hard to see the scale creep and sometimes jump up. If you are being mindful of your calories and staying active, you have nothing to freak out about....even if you have a few high calorie meals thrown in there.