Pregnant and Feeling Fat

I only gained one pound in my first trimester after losing a few and then in 4 weeks I gained 7 pounds!! I left the doctor's office crying. I gained most of my weight in the second trimester which apparantly is somewhat unusual so you might be the same way:) Good luck, there will always be the "fat" days, but just try to remember that you are trying to grow a healthy baby. Youe doctor really shouldn't get too upset with you about weight gain as long as it is steady. Is he worried about gestational diabetes?

When you're pregnant isn't a good time to worry about fat. You have 15 weeks to go... if you gain a pound a week, you will be in the range that doctors want their patients to be... total pregnancy gain of 25-35 pounds. Cut yourself a little slack. Focus on the food groups and minimize sweets and non-nutritious snacks.

I recently realized I had a bad snacking habit... I didn't snack with the same level of control that I used to. I did something that helped me a lot. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints... part of our religious worship includes fasting once a month for 24 hours (no food or water). You can't do it while pregnant or nursing. I missed the spiritual focus, so I decided that in place of fasting I would go without sweets for a week. I was very purpose driven in my resolve and focused because of the people I was praying for. I was so satisfied that I could do it and that I lost a couple of pounds in the process, that I decided to continue to the 3 week mark (they say 3 weeks makes a habit). It was just what I needed to get out of that bad routine, and to help me get closer to my best weight, and get those tight clothes fitting better. If you are a member of any church, many have worship which includes some type of fasting (Lent for example). This is something which can have spiritual and other benefits.

Good luck, and take care. You're doing great.

I totally know how you feel. I have a 6 week old and have just started working out to get rid of the belly. I don't think your doctor should be mad at you for any weight gain. You are SUPPOSED to be gaining weight! (If your doctor yells at you, you might want to think about switching. You don't need the extra stress right now.) I know that sometimes it seems like the pregnancy will never end (I went over my due date when all the ultra sounds said he would be early) but remember that it isn't true. I gained a lot during my second trimester and had the excuse of "holiday foods" but I think I would've gained that much anyway. (I gained about 30 and have already lost 20 of it!) Embrace the excuse for being "fat" right now and worry about losing it after your body has recovered. Hang in there! And Congratulations!
BTW, breastfeeding is a great way to help lose the weight quickly and is also best for your baby. If you can get through the first week of it after the baby is born you should be set!

With both of my pregnancies, I noticed that I gained a ton of weight some months and not as much weight the next month. The best thing that you can do is listen to your body and not worry too much about the weight thing. Your body knows how to create this baby and it's telling you what it needs to make this baby healthy. As far as your doctor goes, I would tell him that you're doing what you feel you need to take care of yourself and your baby. Hang in there! In my opinion, pregnancy is the best time in a woman's life, so cherish it because it won't last forever!

I agree w/ the person who talked about insulin. The best thing you can do is eat well and eat 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 bigger ones. I had gestational diabetes and had to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks a day and check my blood sugar 4x a day. I only gained 10 lbs. It also helps to try and keep exercising. The meals will keep your blood sugar up and help you feel great! Just try and be as healthy as you can and don't beat yourself up over it. There is always time to lose weight later, but there is only this one time you will be pregnant with this child! Remember what's important and that is the baby growing inside you!

It is very hard to be at the exact weight your doctor recommends. but it is a recomendation no a "you do this or else" please just be healthy with yourself keep exercising and staying healthy other wise. But splurging every once in a while is not bad. Give into the cravings just don't go over board. It is your body telling you you need something that food has. Meat-protein veggies-vitamins etc... and if you explain to your doctor what happened he will understand and will work with you if he/she is worth anything. They are there to help you. and if that doctor makes you feel FAT. You need a new doctor ASAP. This is suppost to be a wonderful time in your life and having added stress of what your doc will say about your weight..... embrase what your body is doing. you are creating life. what a wonder.wow. I have had three children and each with major morning sickness (lost 20 to 25 each) I also gained back what ever I lost and then some. the 25 to 35lbs recommended. Trust your body and what it tells you it needs. If you have a good doc they will know what to do. Good luck

Every person is different and every pregnancy is different. I gained about 40 pound with each pregnancy and lost it all - all 3 times - in about 9 months to a year. Try not to stress about it. I had many months where I would gain 9-10 pounds. It doesn't mean that rate of gain will continue. I agree with the other posts - just try to eat healthy foods and let your body do what it's going to do. I tried all kinds of different eating methods - all focusing on nutrition - and somehow my body always seemed to find a way to gain the 40 pounds - twice in my 2nd trimester & once in my 3rd. Good luck - we've all been there. It's frustrating, but the good news is that no one has ever had a pregnancy that didn't eventually end.

Try monitoring your blood sugar before and after meals. It may be that your body is producing too much insulin to take care of the junk food you've been eating. It is very important to have a steady blood sugar, esp during pregnancy, because it plays a large part in the development of your child's organs. I'm particularly sensitive about this because my sister-in-law has spina bifida. Wondering if it was hereditary, I did some research and found the leading cause was irregular blood sugar during pregnancy. My mother has 7 children and during the first 6 pregnancies gained a ton of weight. During her last pregnancy she monitored her blood sugar and only gained 15 pounds the entire pregnancy. Also, you could track your calories eaten. There is a wonderful website (free) called thedailyplate.com Just enter the foods that you've eaten and it will calculate your calories, protein, fat, carbs, etc. You can also track your weight and measurements, and how many calories you've burned during the day. Best of luck.

I had the same issue with my pregnancies. I gained 40 and 50 lbs respectively with my babies. But I lost it all both times (within a year after delivering). Both times I lost 25 lbs at the hospital after giving birth.

I just wanted to tell you that everyone's body is different and so don't think that the 25 lb weight gain the Dr.'s tell you to expect is standard. Plenty of women gain more and a few only gain 10-15.

Just eat as healthy as you can and imagine every bite going into your baby. This might help you not overindulge on non-nutritious, high-cal foods. Try to go on walks everyday.

Best of luck to you and your little one!

I'm at 33wks pregnant now... Between weeks 28 and 29- I gained 14lbs. While trying to figure out where it came from (ie eating habits, fluid retention, etc). my doctor finally decreed it water weight since it wasn't fat and the baby didn't magically gain 10lbs.
I'm back on my one lb a week gain but i'm up 45lbs- a little under half is probably water weight. (according to my dr) and he's considering the weight gain what i need. the words *fantastic pregnancy* were actually used.

Fact is- your body is going to gain what it needs and you may not be able to do anything about it. I sobbed for two days after leaving the doctors but there isn't anything I can do about it. Your baby may go through growth spurts where you'll gain more and part of being pregnant is gaining weight. Make sure you aren't supersizing mcdonalds and you'll be fine.