Hungry

Listen to your body. This is totally normal. I was starving throughout my entire pregnancy and I ended up eating all the time, but I was smart about what I ate (for the most part) and gained about 35 lbs. Bring your lunch plus extra snacks to work with you. I used to pack up snacks the night before in little baggies so I would not be tempted to eat too much or go pick up fast food at lunch time. The key is to eat small frequent meals or snacks with some protein in them- nuts, crackers with peanut butter, granola bars, and I also ate carrot and celery sticks just to give me something to munch on. Also, make sure to drink enough water, or herbal tea would be good too. This helps keep the nausea at bay and if you keep the portions small, you will not gain too much weight. Also, I took walks every evening with my husband for some exercise. Since you have a little girl, maybe you could take her for walks after you get home from work. I also rented a prenatal yoga dvd from Netflix that was nice.

Eat when you are hungry but eat a combination of a little simple carbohydrate (fruit or veggie), complex carb (whole grain something) and protien. I am also pregnant now and this time around, with a toddler underfoot, I was more nauseous when I was more tired. Sometimes I ate saltines or something starchy to fend off the nausea and then had a better snack when my stomach was settled. For me the morning sickness tapered off aroun month 4. I wasn't being all that careful but hardly gained any weight until I was really showing around 6 months.

Hi S.
WHen you're hungry, EAT! I had the same thing with my pregnancy last year. In the beginning, I used to eat constantly. I forced myself to eat good quality food (sandwiches, etc) when I was hungry during the day and I very rarely ate food from outside (occassionally pizza). In the end, I gained 15 pounds with my pregnancy (and I am an average sized person). Every pregnancy is different, I suppose. This was my only one, but I assume that's the case.
My appetite fell off around the 5 month mark (I was pretty much back to my regular appetite) and then revved up again around 8 months. I always brought 2 sandwiches to work (one for lunch, one for later) for the entire pregnancy.
With regard to gaining weight, don't worry about it. The most important thing in this regard is to eat good quality food (ie, not fast food) only a small amount of soda if at all (I drank mostly water) and continue your usual amount of activity. I have two dogs as well, and continued with my usual walking them twice per day, bringing my groceries up the stairs, doing the laundry, going to work, etc and I was fine. And I didnt' think consciously about trying not to gain weight, it was just the way things happened. My daughter was 6 pounds 12 oz.
Take care and EAT EAT EAT
A.

Hi S.,

I'm laughing to myself because I was the same way! I think I ate non-stop through most of my pregnancy...especially early on! Like you, it was the only way to hold off the nausea and I always felt like I was STARVING.

I gained almost 70 pounds with that little stinker. But...within four months of delivering and with nearly endless nursing, I was down to LESS than my pre-pregnancy weight.

So my personal opinion is, if eating helps keep you feeling OK, do it. Worry about the weight later, or don't worry. Assume that you'll be so busy with your two children that you won't have much time to eat anyway. And of course, breastfeeding burns crazy calories.

Feel good!

T.

Hello
I can relate. you need to keep full to prevent from being nauseas. salad and fruit are not good enough. i had to eat like that and i did gain weight early. but now i am 25 weeks and since 17 weeks i have been able to eat more like my old self. so what i am saying is dont worry if you gain early because it will all even out if you are healthy later. this past visit i only gain 1/2lb in 3 weeks. so i am pretty much on schedule. Just do what you need to feel better during this time
good luck!

Hi S., All pregnancies are different. I was hungry through all 5 of mine. Try to find low cal.things to snack on and get as much exercise as possible. You have a child so this should not be difficult. Try not to stress out, just enjoy. If you gain weight, you will lose it with 2 children. My best, Grandma Mary