Pregnancy Emotions; Weight Gain

You're not alone. I've sooooooo been there. For some reason, it's only happened with my third pregnancy (I'm 31 weeks along). I had no problems with this sort of thing with my other two.

Near the end, I could not tie my shoes & had to have my husband, friends or co-workers help me tie them. It was winter, so I had to wear warm shoes.

I was so big, that I kept knocking stuff off. Like the labels on the file cabinets at work. I could not reach the kitchen sink.

The crying was there also. And it did not go away for me. The first month after Olivia was born, I was so emotional everything made me cry including the good stuff. I would just hold & cry because I was so happy to have a baby. I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

You are pregnant & suppose to be emotional. At least you didn't tear someone's head off.

Best wishes to you!!

Congratulations on the new baby and welcome to motherhood. Yes, from here on out just know that you may cry or get angry over nothing. When I was pregnant with my daughter I remember getting so mad at my husband for no reason that I was yelling at him in the car and bawling and finally he asked what he did that made me so angry and I said "I don't know, I am just tired of not knowing why I feel the way I do". It is those darn hormones...Just a pre-warning. It will happen after baby is born to for a few months, up to a year. It is all worth it in the end and you are completely normal!

SJ -

NORMAL!!! I am not a crier, but when I was pregnant I cried at everything! I cried over commercials (curses on Hallmark and Kodak), over silly little things and for no reason at all. One day at the dinner table I burst into tears (panicking my poor hubbby in the process) because I had put too much ketchup on my plate! I cried in a department store when I saw a sweet little stuffed animal (which I bought for her and she still has at 13). I cried because my pen ran out of ink. I cried because I couldn't get the plastic produce bag at the grocery store to open. I cried because the nightlight (necessary to avoid stumbling during middle of the night potty breaks) was too bright, but without it it was too dark. Thankfully my mom had taken him aside early on in my pregnancy and explained to him that things like this might happen and that if I was weepy or emotional for "no good, rational reason" that he should cut me some slack because I was working very hard to grow a whole person inside me and it is wonderful and exhausting and incredible and hormonal and overwhelmingly awesome and also that he should never under any circumstances blame my hormones or mention my total irrationality out loud. Ever. Good advice...it kept my hubby alive and free from severe bodily harm during pregnancy and postpartum. =)

I would have done anything for your water works. I sneezed in Target while pregnant with my third and peed my pants. Get used to the embarrassment. Kids humble you completely. I was just talking with a friend about trying to use a public restroom with a two year old. They have no volume control on their voice and they love to cheer you on as you tinkle in the potty. God help you if you go number two. The whole place gets to hear what a good girl you are for putting your stinky in the big girl potty. I promise you will live through all this and you will have more character when all is said and done.

I'm at 32 weeks (with my 2nd) and can totally identify--
two appointments ago, I went in and had gained 5.5 pounds in 4 weeks. That was scary to me, as I hadn't gained that much between appointments before. That night at home, I'm not sure what triggered it (probably something benign that my husband said), I lost it and didn't want to cry so much in front of my 20 month old. I just said "I have to go" and walked out of the house. I didn't know where to go, so I ended up driving down the street and sat in a parking lot and cried and cried. I'm not even sure what it was about now--probably lots of different things. It was so cold out that I couldn't turn the car off. I didn't have any tissues in the car, so I kept having to wipe my nose with a hard paper towel--which left a horribly red nose the next day.
I also fluctuate between pleasant-sad-happy-angry. Never know which emotion will come out! :) Just hoping that the angry doesn't come out in front of co-workers!

I boy do I have pregnancy hormone stories!

My story also took place at the doctor's office. I was checking in to do the initial pregnancy test. First off, my primary doctor wasn't available, so I was seeing a different doc, but I wasn't sure if insurance would cover it without a referral, and they were not helpful in figuring that out. Then, they required me to show my health insurance card (again!), then started entering data into the computer, asking if it was my husband's insurance. It wasn't, it was mine through MY work, and this for some reason really pissed me off, that they'd assume I wasn't working, and the insurance MUST be through my husband.

I started fuming, I got choked up, and I couldn't explain why I was getting so irritated, knowing that any explanation wouldn't suffice. I ended up bursting into tears, telling them I didn't want to risk the visit not getting covered, and leaving the building.

On the upside, the ladies at the check-in counter have been a lot nice to me since then!

Enjoy the mood swings! And don't sweat the weight gain. Just focus on eating as healthy as you can for your baby's development, and your body will gain the weight it needs to.

Congratulations! Don't worry about the weight gain. It sounds to me like you are right were you should be. Every pregnancy is different. I was very emotional too. I remember one night, I was bending over to get something out of the fridge (for the fourth time since dinner) and my husband slapped me on my rear (not hard at all). It startled me and I just started bawling. He just kind of looked at me and his expression was so funny that I started laughing; so hard, I was crying again. He didn't do that again, and avoided my "crying button" during my second pregnancy too. Hang in there and good luck. Happy Holidays!

Try not to worry about the weight thing. You are GROWING A BABY!!! Doctors recommend prego mothers to gain between 25-35lbs. If you think about it, that's a pound a week your whole pregnancy from the time you find out you're prego (usually at week 4). Always monitor what you eat, but never deprive yourself! Don't fret if you gain 2 or 3 lbs in a week one week, babies go through growth spurts too!

Emotions...yup, that's perfectly normal!! ;)

Hee hee. That sounds familiar.. Last year at this time I was pregnant with my last baby and I know that if I cried once in a day, I would surely cry again that day. As if I was breaking the tear seal or something!

Also, last year in the first 28 days of December, I gained 12 lbs!! By my Feb 13 delivery, I had gained 46! Don't worry, some Dr.s are way more uptight about weight gain!

With my first pregnancy:
My hubby and I were shopping and he knew that he couldn't take me around for long before I got hungry. Anytime I got hungry and had nothing to eat I got woozy. And cranky. ;)
So he offered to take me to "a nice place". As we were driving closer to the mall and eateries, he asked if I wanted perhaps Arby's? Wendy's?
I started crying! Hard! I cried and cried and cried. I was so upset, so hurt, so angry that he dared ask me if I wanted a fast food joint when he had told me that we would be going to a nice place! He thought he was being nice by mentioning all these other places just in case I was having a craving for junk food.
We ended up at a fancy hamburger place... can't even remember the name of it. By fancy I mean big, expensive burgers. :)
Yes... I can only imagine how awful my eyes were when we went in there. And my nose!
I can laugh about it now. I suggest you forget about embarrassment. Tears will pop up for things you never knew you could cry about. It's okay.
You're supposed to gain 1 - 2 lbs per week! 6 lbs in 5 weeks is pretty darn good! Why is your doctor worried? Too little gain?? As long as your baby is growing at a healthy rate, how small you are shouldn't be an issue, I think.

I would not worry AT ALL about the 6 lbs. Especially if you've only gained 10 total. It all works out in the end unless you're living on candy bars or something.

I was very hormonal during my pregnancy with my son. I can totally relate. Hang in there and do what you need to do to take care of yourself! Next time you should ask if they'll just let you pee in a cup when you get there. It is so mean they made you wait for an hour! My OB used to let you do that immediately when you got there and then you'd wait.

It is COMPLETELY normal!!! I had moments while pregnant when I would cry over commercials, songs, movies...and yes, I cried once in the middle of a business meeting--with all men in attendance. They all looked at me like I was crazy, lucky for me they all had wives and had children, they just looked at me like they had been there before. Don't be hard on yourself, you will have moments where you are so happy, some sad, some scared, and even some I can't explain.

It sounds like you are doing great--hang in there! Pregnancy is only nature's way of preparing you for Parenthood--which is even more of an emotional rollercoaster. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

The only problem with weight gain in pregnancy is if you gain ALOT all of a sudden it can be a sign of preeclampsia. I did that in both of my pregnancies all of a sudden really put on the weight, it was really water retention but it was a serious problem. I gained 40lbs in my last pregnancy and lost all of it plus 10lbs in a matter of 1month, just to show you how much water weight some can retain and lose quickly. Of course I was extremely swollen so it was obvious.

Oh girl. I cried all the time. I would cry if I couldn't find a pen. I started crying in the middle of barnes and noble once when I picked up a kids book that read " I love you from your head to your toes" And I bawled like someone just shot my dog. Loud and watery! My husband gently guided me out of there and we went home. I laughed uncontrollably the whole way home. He kept asking "Are you ok?" I laugh about it even now.

Hi there,

I just want to say I suffered from uncontrolled emotions also! I would be in the middle of Baby R Us and just start crying. I remember I had to go back 3 times(along with lots of chocolate)to finish my baby register because I just could not keep it together and I was very embarrassed. I actually felt that way the entire pregnancy. I was planning on a home birth but ended up going to the hospital due to the high amount of pain and as soon as I got the epidural, I looked at my husband and said....."Oh my gosh, I feel normal again!" It was the weirdest thing!

Anyway, good luck. Ask you dear husband to be patient with you and to ignore some of the mean things that may come out of your mouth. (I think a few times I had said things like "I hate my life" and I think that really hurt his feelings.

Merry Christmas!

Sounds like you are doing fine...I was kind of similar w/wt, only like a 1.5-2 in first trimester and then in 2nd a 5-6lb gain like you had- my dr. expected it since I had gained so little in 1st trim. I think what is more important (like other said) is to continue to make sure you are eating healthy foods and not indulging in every single candy bar that you look at(not that you are but just speaking in general about choiceS). I was due in May and also preg. over t-giving and xmas, which I think can be kind of hard w/the tendency to overeat, parties, and not being able to have a drink,etc. So don't stress to much, sounds like you are doing more than fine.
As for water works, boy do they come! I actually wasn't to bad during preg. though several commercials made me cry! I did cry on the way to a family baby shower because I gave my husband the wrong directions and he yelled at me- that was the worst as I had mascara everywhere. However, most people esp. if they have been preg. understand it's part of the homrmones. Also after delivery when the baby hormones work there way out of your body plus the lack of sleep, expect some more water works. For 2 weeks after birth it felt like I cried every single day and over everything. WHich was no fun but pretty normal. So hang in there and just carry some tissue w/you! Also... don't be surprised if you sneeze and pee your pants or laugh and pass gas...that one always made me the most anxious!
and... you can usually ask to give your urine sample as soon as you arrive at the dr. office so that you don't have to hold it. Holding it is bad if you are preg. as it can lead to urinary infections which can be dangerous. SO ask for the cup and then just wait to see the dr. Best wishes:)

I am sure you will get plenty of responses on this. I had several of those experiences myself. First of all, the weight gain is hard to see I don't care what anyone says. I think you are doing very well. I gained 6 lbs in two weeks at one of my visits. Also, I think it depends on your doctor. My doctor said it was totally fine. As for the crying...you are going through so many emotions so no worries there. Expect that little things might throw you off a little. I just had my son about 7 months ago and I still have times like those. Good luck with everything. I envy you with the job. I live in Ankeny and have to travel to West Des Moines. Yuck!

As soon as I arrived at the clinic, I went directly to the lab to leave my sample each time. I then waited in the waiting room. I gained 55 lbs during my 1st pregnancy! You have nothing to worry about with 10 so far. My doctor reminded me all the time to watch it - I just said Ya, Ya. You will have those odd melt downs every now & again, I did. Mostly I embarrassed myself by pigging out at every holiday (I delivered in January). I couldn't drink, so I ate. My family couldn't believe how much food I could put away! I noticed I had a very short fuse for any kind of nonsense! I hope you have better luck the rest of your pregnancy : )

lol.
normal girl! :D
dont worry about it we all have our wierd moments while pregnant, the good thing is that i cant remember any of mine, though i cry about little things all the time.

Your question gave me (good) flashbacks to my pregnancy with our oldest son. I waited for ever to pee in a cup and then SPILLED it all over MYSELF!!! I was bawling!

We lost our first baby at 19 weeks, so when I was pregnant with our first son (we lost a daughter) I eat everything that wasn't nailed down. I gained 50-60 pounds (I quit looking at the scale - I just wanted a healthy, living baby - which we were blessed with in the end). I did end up losing most of that weight, to I would not worry about that. In fact, I am not quite sure why your doc mentioned it if you were already crying...

Anyway, embrace the tears, they are a good sign that your hormone levels are where they should be.
CONGRATS on your pregnancy! Enjoy!

You can thank your hormones for the water works! LoL When I was pregnant it would take the littlest, most insignificant thing to make me start bawling. Just grin and bare it sweetie and try to keep your sense of humor about the whole thing =)

As for the weight gain: it doesn't sound like your weight is spiraling out of control. If you're 5 mths along and have only gained 10 lbs, that sounds ok to me. But listen to your dr. She only wants what's best for you and your baby.

With my 1st I was also due in April - the month of Dec, I gained 10lbs! Overall I gained 65!(and was back to pre-baby weight after 6 mos.) SO don't sweat it!

For me the hormones were the worst after I had him! We were at the ped. office having him weighed at 3 or 4 days. The nurse just looked at me and said "how are you doing?" I started crying hysterically, I've never seen anyone's eyes get so big! She turned to my husband and said, you take care of the baby today she needs some sleep!

Just enjoy being pregnant and all the craziness that goes with it!

SJ,

Chalk the crying up to hormone overload. You never know what will set it off - but it happens. Don't be embarrassed. Any women who has even been pregnant understands that you literally have minimal control over your body. And as for weight gain, the average woman gains about 30 lbs. during pregnancy. You're 23 weeks along - so about 17 more lbs on top of your ten has you right on target. I gained 45 lbs. with my first, 20 lbs. with my second, 30 lbs. with my third, and almost 50 with my fourth! About 30 of it comes off easily and the rest is up to you to get rid of. What you want is a healthy baby - so don't worry about it. Water retention can be a HUGE factor in weight gain and that can disappear quickly after giving birth. You sound like you are doing great - don't stress about it! Have a great pregnancy.

I use to cry every time I went in for a check up. I don't know why, and I couldn't stop it. My Dr was very understanding, but a little worried about me. I was off my depression meds for my pregnancy and I think that might have played into it. After I gave birth I had to go to urgent care (infected stitch,) and again I couldn't stop the crying. The (pregnant) nurse looked very worried, but I explained that my meds hadn't kicked in yet and was running on very little sleep.

So, unfortunatly what you are going through is normal! Congrats on the pregnancy!

I have been pregnant 3 times - with my first, I was crying at country songs, tv sappy commercials, etc. I gained 45 pounds with that one (PG through Thanksgiving and on bedrest last 3 months for High Blood Pressure). The Dr. never said one negative thing about my weight gaine which was about a pound a week (from conception) up till the end, when I rapidly put on water weight. We made it to 38 weeks (December 8th) and delivered by C-section, and I lost 20+ lbs. in the first 4 days at the hospital, and the baby was only 6 lbs. 11 oz.! I had lost it all by 8 months, and the hormones/emotions leveled out around 4 months - that is also when my pregnancy acne cleared up and my period returned even though I was exclusively breastfeeding!

Second PG only made it to 12 w and had a miscarriage, BUT I STILL GAINED 12 POUNDS!!! Didn't lose much of that, so I started my 3rd pregnancy higher in weight that I should've.

This is my 3rd pregnancy, and I am at 30 weeks, I have not been as weepy, but I have been very short on patience with my 2 year old and my hubby. And very easily irritated/riled up by people in general - my boss left me a condescending to-do list and I was about ready to tell her where to put it and my job, last weekend. I also had one big outburst of crying at Thanksgiving at my In-laws, right in front of everyone, becuase my husband snapped at me about something and I just burst out and cried for almost an hour - I couldn't get it to stop, even though I knew it was silly.

Again I have gained almost EXACTLY a pound a week, right from the start, went from 160 to 190 right now, and the Dr. hasn't mentioned it once. It just seems like that is what my body does, a pound a week. Now granted, we have been through Thanksgiving, my andmy 2 year old's birthdays (Dec. 8 & 9), and then had a BIG dinner for 15 last weekend at our house and so had all the leftovers etc. Then this weekend we are going out with friends, the 25th we will have a big Christmas dinner here, and then the 27h we have 2 family Christmases the same day!

I am just waiting for the next big outburst from my hormones! It happens to everyone! And the weight thing - your Dr. shouldn' be concerned you are right within the reccommendations as far as I know, unless you were very Overweight or Obese from the start of pregnancy, then they lower the weight limits. I was overweight, but still no-one has said anything to me. I actually was kind-of hoping they would and would refer me to a nutritionist, cause it seems like no matter how or what I eat I still gain a pound a week...who knows.

Good Luck, and just do the best you can!

Jess

P.S. You said it was a female OB...hasn't SHE ever had any kids?? You'd think she'd be a little more understanding.

What is your doctors issues with weight? I'm 25 weeks and I have gained 20 lbs and doc says its fine! I am so sorry she made you feel bad. I gained 10 lbs this last month (thank you thanksgiving stuffing). I think you are doing better than great if you have only gained 10 lbs!

Hi S J

I just had to respond because your question brought up some pretty embarrassing memories. One of them I really can't even write about, it's way too embarrassing. But the tears yes, I had many tears, for absolutely no reason! I would start out just by crying for whatever reason and then soon after it led to a full-on laugh attack. Like embarrassing laugh - laughing so hard that I would go hide in the bathroom, the whole time sobbing my eyes out. I would laugh so hard my face would actually contort, it was crazy! Then I would think about stupidly hard I was laughing and then laugh even more. My husband thought I had actually lost it.

As far as the weight gain - 10 pounds is NOT enough to worry about, I think every doctor feels the need to say that though!

Hang in there, hormones are absolutely freaky I tell you!

Those tears will come at the weirdest times. Hormones will do that to you. I once started sobbing over a Campbell Soup commercial. Don't worry though. People expect pregnant women to do weird things. If you start crying again over something silly and someone asks you if you are okay, just say, "I'm fine. Just hormonal."

Enjoy your pregnancy!