Maintaining healthy weight gain during pregnancy

[Deleted]

If you know your maintenance level, add 100 calories to that in first tri, 200 in second, 300 in third. You can find a calculator for your maintenance calorie level if you don't know it, but MFP should have it for you.

Keep up your activity as long as you can. Anything you're currently doing is likely safe to continue through until you feel unsafe or unable.

You're doing great to think about things early on.

[Deleted]

I was obese according to BMI before getting pregnant. My doctor suggested I stay around a 15-20 lb gain. I'm 34 weeks and have already gained more than that. I don't count calories, but I also don't pig out, I eat normal amounts of food, lots of healthy foods, etc. Only 1 doctor I've seen out of the 6 in my OB practice has commented on my weight. I even had 1 doctor and several nurses tell me that the 15-20 lbs my doctor suggested was unrealistic and .5-1 lb/week is normal and to be expected. One thing though is that my activity level is markedly decreased. With my hip and pelvic pain, which is severe at times, I simply can't exercise the way I wanted to without having a noticeable increase in pain for days afterwards. I'm hoping for a nice warm fall so I can get out on lots of walks with the baby.

[tealblue]

I would probably discuss with your OB and maybe a dietitian but I don't think counting calories during pregnancy is a bad thing. As long as you aren't doing a crazy diet or restricting to an unhealthy level, it should be fine. I agree with keeping your calorie count the same and adding 100-300/day for pregnancy and being active by walking, etc.

[Brie]

All I can really add is to be kind to yourself. Pregnancy is HARD. The last six weeks of my life have been pretty damn miserable and the only thing that helped my nausea was Zofran and shoveling carbs and cheese into my face. It sucks and I feel guilty for not eating well but you do what you have to do to survive.

I gained "too much" last time and didn't lose it all before we TTC again. I've made my peace with it. I hope it won't happen again, but so much of pregnancy is out of my control that I will just do my best to pick up the pieces once this baby is born.

[cmarie11]

Counting calories is the only way I can lose weight, so as the others have said, I found my "maintenance" calorie range, and then added extra calories in the second and third trimesters. It helped keep me in check, especially in the first trimester when nothing but carbs sounded appealing. I also found it helpful to make sure I was getting enough protein, iron and fiber. I did however, let myself indulge on the weekends a bit and didn't track them.

As far as activity, I was lucky to be able to keep up most of my normal routine until 36 weeks. I think it really helped keep my energy level up.

Overall, I gained about 25 lbs, and had a relatively easy med-free delivery, which I partly account to staying so active during my pregnancy.

[cep1976]

You might think about following the gestational diabetes diet, it doesn't count calories, but naturally limits them by placing carb limits on each meal/snack. It also makes sure you are eating a very balanced diet throughout the pregnancy.

[Deleted]

I don't have any great advice but I do think it is possible to maintain a healthy weight within reason. With my first pg., I gained at least 45 lbs. because I really indulged myself: milkshakes and greasy breakfast sandwiches whenever I felt like it, cake after dinner, pizza, cheese burgers, etc. With my third, I was really strict with myself and gained about 25 lbs. This time I stuck to fruit for dessert and just tried to eat as healthy as possible.

They say you only need to increase your caloric intake by 300 calories. Which is like a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk.

[jr009j]

Jul 24, 2014 11:48:40 GMT -5 cep1976 said:

You might think about following the gestational diabetes diet, it doesn't count calories, but naturally limits them by placing carb limits on each meal/snack. It also makes sure you are eating a very balanced diet throughout the pregnancy.

I have gestational diabetes and the diet really has helped keep my weight in check. I'm not sure of my weight gain with DD because I carried a lot of water weight, but this pregnancy I had only gained 17 pounds at 34 weeks and nothing between 28 and 34 weeks (which my doctor was okay with because the baby is growing, I'm just losing fat in other places). I can still splurge but not for every meal.

[MadamePresident]

I think its smart to eat reasonably, but also to remember that in pregnancy your body does what it wants to a certain extent. I had the opposite problem to where I wanted to gain more weight, but no matter what I did, I couldn't.

[karinothing]

I think sometimes your body is just going to gain what you gain. When i was pregnant I worked out every day and ate healthy. I did not eat fast food once during the entire pregnancy! I still gained 40lbs. Just know you can only do so much.

[Deleted]

Info my OB have me had numbers it said 1800 for someone of normal weight during 1st trimester. 2200 for second and I don't remember 3rd.

No reason you cannot track I would think as long as you aren't too tough on yourself.

You could always talk your OB and get a rec for a nutritionist if you are really concerned.

[starlily]

My OB wanted me stay in the 11-20lb weight gain range because of my pre-preg weight. I stayed within that range up to 26 weeks by counting calories using MFP and setting my goal as maintenance. Then I also had to start counting carbs once I got diagnosed with GD, and lost a few pounds, for a total gain of 12lbs by the time I delivered. I also walked leisurely, or did prenatal yoga/barre for around 30 minutes most days towards the end, for glucose control though, not weight issues.

I think I averaged 1800 calories or so each day. Although I had to omit carbs, I didn't limit good fats like avocados and nuts, which staved off any hunger pangs.

I also ate an enormous amount of not as good fats in the form of cheese.

[aspentosh]

Before I got pregnant with DD I was on a big weight loss routine (I counted calories using Lose It). I was down 35lbs and got pregnant about 10lbs away from my goal weight. Because I was still technically "overweight" (just barely using BMI) my OB suggested I gain 15-20lbs.

I had worked really hard to lose that weight so I continued to count calories, with an increased budget. I also kept my activity level up, which was possible because I had a dream pregnancy. I ended up gaining right around 15lbs with DD and lost it all immediately after leaving the hospital (lucky!!!), so I know I gained an appropriate amount of weight for what DD and I needed.

I actually found it harder to keep the weight off during BFing and weaning, which is why I am back to to counting calories and losing weight now.

I think as long as you're eating well and not "for two" (at least everyday), you should probably gain the appropriate amount of weight. (And appropriate is different for every person... Some need 10lbs, some need 50lbs.) GL!

[meij]

I think counting calories is a reasonable goal. Like others mentioned it's not really that many extra calories pregnant mothers are allotted.

In some way I do think your body is going to do what it needs to do so do be gentle on yourself. I've had two pregnancies and gained the exact same weight at the exact same pace for both (45 total- 5 lbs total gain months 1-5, then 10lbs a month months 6-9). My diet was totally different each time. The first I did the Bradley diet and are a ton of protein and craved ice cream at night. The second time I didn't follow any diet, ate mostly healthy, craved fruit and water and still gained just the same!

[Deleted]

I gained around 20lbs during my pregnancy. I didn't count calories or deprive myself, but I also avoided purchasing anything I shouldn't be eating. If it was in the house, I would eat it. That is my best advice, if you know you have a weakness for oreos or something, don't buy them. Drink tons of water and stay active as best as you can.

[cricketwife]

LOL, I was coming in to tell you how well I did to "only gain 40 pounds" and give you my little tip until I read all the "OMG, I gained 40 pounds with my first!" posts. My OB said 25-40 was normal/reasonable. Then somewhere in 2nd try he told me that I should be careful because weight gain usually picks up in the 3rd trimester and I would have trouble staying within that range if I continued at the rate that I was gaining. I replaced nuts with apples.  It sounds crazy, but you hear all this "You're pregnant, you need protein!" stuff so nuts were my go-to snack.  After that comment from my ob, I switched to apples (which I don't even like, TYVM) and I felt like I did well b/c I stayed within the range of 25-40.  Now, PP, I CAN.NOT.LOSE. the last 10 damn pounds, so that's another story.  Basically, I think if you just do your best to eat something relatively healthy when you're hungry, you should do well.  And like Brie said, pregnancy is rough so cut yourself some slack.  Good luck.

[teatimefor2]

Firstly, Congratulations! That is wonderful news!

I gained a whopping 68 lbs with my son. I was very active living in London without a car, but I was starving. I did eat for two, but I honestly believe my body needed it. If I didn't eat, I was sick. And I craved dairy. Thankfully through a combination of nursing, exercise and eating right, I was able to lose it all before becoming pregnant.

Now I am at 26 weeks and I'm only up 18 lbs. I was up 18 lbs with my son by 15 weeks. I've also realised that my pregnancies have been very different, so yours might be too. I wasn't hungry at all the first month or so this time around, whereas last time I was super hungry. As opposed to dairy, this time I want strawberries and baked goods (still not ideal). I also remember vividly how hard to was to lose the 68 lbs and when I want a second helping of cake, that helps me keep myself in check.

Pregnancy is hard and harder, at least for me, with a toddler. Be kind to yourself. I give myself one meal to have the foods I know I want. Today it was lunch, I've been craving a bagel with cream cheese for days now. That's my craving for the day. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but in the end, I just want a healthy baby. So if I gain a bit extra in the process, it's okay. Just be kind to yourself and enjoy your pregnancy!

[jessnpaul]

Jul 24, 2014 11:22:45 GMT -5 @mrsspunky said:

I was obese according to BMI before getting pregnant. My doctor suggested I stay around a 15-20 lb gain. I'm 34 weeks and have already gained more than that. I don't count calories, but I also don't pig out, I eat normal amounts of food, lots of healthy foods, etc. Only 1 doctor I've seen out of the 6 in my OB practice has commented on my weight. I even had 1 doctor and several nurses tell me that the 15-20 lbs my doctor suggested was unrealistic and .5-1 lb/week is normal and to be expected. One thing though is that my activity level is markedly decreased. With my hip and pelvic pain, which is severe at times, I simply can't exercise the way I wanted to without having a noticeable increase in pain for days afterwards. I'm hoping for a nice warm fall so I can get out on lots of walks with the baby.

I was not obese (overweight, yes... BMI around 27 I think?) when I was pregnant and was also given the 15-20 pound weight gain rule. It was a total mindf*ck for me because it really is impossible to do! I didn't really gain a lot of weight at all when pregnant (22, but I gave birth at 32 weeks) and even that was outside the recommendation.

Eating healthy and doing as much walking I can is my plan if/when I ever get pregnant again. I will also use MFP and add calories as the trimesters go by. I've been doing MFP for the past few years, so might as well stick with it!

[docholly]

I think it is fine to count calories just don't get too fixated on the number on the scale because, to a certain extent, I think people gain "their" number when pregnant. My niece, for example, retains water like crazy and always gains 50-60 pounds.. From my experience, it was fairly easy to lose 25 pounds quickly after birth. (babies were about 9 pounds) I gained 35 with ODS and 40 with YDS. I held onto 5 pounds both times, but within that range, it wasn't hard to lose. If I tried harder I could lose the rest, but... eh... I'm worn out and the couch calls my name when they fall asleep. ;-) What I am trying to say is, do what you can, but know that within reason, weight is something that CAN be lost, and sometimes with pregnancy, you can't control all the variables.

[faith194]

I was obese when I became pregnant(200 and 5'1"). I was never told how much I should gain or not gain. I gained 25 pounds, but I don't think I changed my diet all that much, except avoiding peanut butter(I could not stand to eat it). I lost all that weight within 3 weeks without trying, but obviously was still obese at my prepregnancy weight. I am always shocked my OB or midwives did not give me a talking to about my weight, although I did retain a lot and had unexplained excess fluid at the end.

I have since lost 60 pounds by diet alone, so that can tell you how much I was overheating before(I had no clue, except for the weight issues).

Congrats! Definitely make good choices, and track if you need to.


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[winecheery]

I was active my entire pregnancy.  I danced throughout it; I was choreographing up to 36 weeks.  Even at the very end when I felt like a moo-cow, I walked as long and as far as I could everyday.  Sure old ladies were passing me by, but I was out there damnit! lol

I didn't count calories, but basically I didn't (and don't believe) in the "eating for two" concept.  I just think that's an excuse some people use to overindulge.  I'm not saying you did that!!!  You mentioned you have struggled here and there with your weight, and I think it's awesome you want to be proactive about your health for yourself and your little growing bean.  You just mentioned the phrase in your OP and it has always rubbed me the wrong way, so I had to comment.  I hope that makes sense and that I didn't offend.

I will tell you what I have told my sister, who has had weight ups and downs her whole life; if you don't buy it, you cannot eat it.  Don't bring foods that will tempt you into your home.  Shop the perimeter of the grocery store (or better yet hit up a farmer's market) and focus on a colorful plate: red tomatoes, green kale, spinach, and lettuce, black beans, yellow corn, purple onion…you get the idea.  

That being said, I believe in a controlled, regular indulgence too.  So if chocolate is your thing, buy 2-3 pieces of really good chocolate every week or something, and spread them out as your treat over the week.  It will feel even more special that way too.

And if you cave and need french fries one day, well, you're human, and you're entitled.  I think just being mindful of what you put into your body is the key.  And to treat yourself in doses, instead of in excess.  GL to you!

[aqualuv]

I lost 40 lbs in 2012 so it was really important to me to have a healthy gain with my pregnancy.

I barely worked out my first tri due to exhaustion and nausea. From weeks 12 to 20 I did spin and prenatal yoga. Then I was put on strenuous exercise restriction at week 20. So from 20 to 28 I did prenatal yoga and walking. At 28 weeks I was told no exercise at all, not even yoga.

I was about 6 lbs over my ideal weight when I got pregnant. I've gained 33 lbs so far. I'm pretty happy with my weight gain.

I think my exercise has helped, and that I've tried to eat clean as much as possible. Of course I've had days where I ate unhealthy food but I did not give into the whole eating for two.

Good luck! I think you are doing a great job of thinking of this now.

[pippa]

Exercise was important to me for my mental health, but diet is always a dealbreaker in my weight gain or loss. If I eat well, I maintain. If I don't I gain. I did track my food intake using MFP. I didn't really count calories, but watched what I ate. I also had GD so I had to watch my diet for that.

I ate a lot of meals that were a protein and a vegetable, like steak or chicken and roasted green beans. Lunch was often salad. So boring and repetitive , but it worked. I also always ate a protein like almonds when I ate something sweet.

Good luck.

[winecheery]

Jul 24, 2014 18:17:40 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

Jul 24, 2014 16:40:07 GMT -5 winecheery said:

I didn't count calories, but basically I didn't (and don't believe) in the "eating for two" concept.  I just think that's an excuse some people use to overindulge.  I'm not saying you did that!!!  You mentioned you have struggled here and there with your weight, and I think it's awesome you want to be proactive about your health for yourself and your little growing bean.  You just mentioned the phrase in your OP and it has always rubbed me the wrong way, so I had to comment.  I hope that makes sense and that I didn't offend.

No, I totally did that.  I ate everything.  It was bad news.

Well...you're trying to make a change this time around.  You will do better, I am certain.  

[imojoebunny]

I gained 60 and 65 pounds with both my kids. I am normally a healthy weight/BMI. There is no way that my weight gain was in any way because of calorie consumption. I know about calories, I have been watching them for 25 years. It is physically impossible to gain as much as I gained from what I ate. Because of that, I pretty much told the doctors to put a sock in it. I also lost the weight without really trying with in 7-8 months after each kid, and with DD, 15-20 pounds more. With DD, I walked a lot, but with DS, not so much, the weight still fell off. It was some sort of hormone/ fluid thing. Not calorie related.

[sillygoosegirl]

I'm still in pregnancy #1 and only 24 weeks, but I gained a lot in my first 16 weeks or so. Even once I wasn't eating to keep the nausea at bay, I was just starving all the time. My midwife suggested that I should be eating more protein, both because it was what my body needs for making the baby, and also said it would help with the hunger. My weight gain has slowed down considerably... Perhaps too much even, we'll see at my next visit. Some weeks I still eat a ton and gain significantly, and other weeks I eat normal non-pregnant amounts of food and my weight stays around flat. My midwife says that this is normal and so long as I'm eating a balenced diet with lots of protein and limited sugar/simple carbs, to listen to my hunger (or lack there of), because the it's normal and healthy for the baby to go through growth spurts like this. I would definitely want to talk with my provider about it before counting calories, since it doesn't seem to me like my body needs a consistent amount day to day or week to week (though, who knows, maybe consistency would be totally fine too).

I did say screw it to my pre-pregnancy anti-cholesterol diet (no beef, limited eggs and cheese), and that has really helped me to up my protein (was struggling to get myself to eat enough other protein as I was getting really tired of my regular go-to options and can't stand a lot of the chickpea based protein (hummus, falafel) I used to love before getting pregnant)... Hopefully my heart can handle a few months of eating this way, but supposedly it'll be good for my other organs during pregnancy, and keeping my weight gain under control is certainly good for my heart. I mean, I'm totally eating beef for the baby and not because I miss it...

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2014 21:17:37 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

I gained 60 and 65 pounds with both my kids. I am normally a healthy weight/BMI. There is no way that my weight gain was in any way because of calorie consumption. I know about calories, I have been watching them for 25 years. It is physically impossible to gain as much as I gained from what I ate. Because of that, I pretty much told the doctors to put a sock in it. I also lost the weight without really trying with in 7-8 months after each kid, and with DD, 15-20 pounds more. With DD, I walked a lot, but with DS, not so much, the weight still fell off. It was some sort of hormone/ fluid thing. Not calorie related.

I totally agree with this. I gained 41 and then 51 each time. I worked out all the time ans tracked calories.  I was in tears at some doctor appt's with my 2nd. My OB said the placenta secretes a hormone that turns glucose from your blood directly into fat. I lost all weight once I stopped breast feeding each time.
If I get to have another, I will try the GD diet.

[Deleted]

I'm FTM, and basically follow a policy where eat when I'm hungry. I have never been a huge snacker and just try to roll with it. I have gained about 17 lbs thus far at 24 wks, mostly belly and boobs! (I'm 4 ft 10 in and started at appx 101lbs.)

[Deleted]

I'm counting calories. My OB recommended around 2100 a day.

I'm doing yoga in the mornings, getting in lots of walks and going to the gym twice a week. It's really helping both on terms of my weight and how I feel overall

[House4Me]

Stick with fruits, veggies, protein and good fats --salmon, avocado, etc. Avoid white flour, sugar and processed foods and you will see a big difference! It's really hard when you are feeling like crap and nauseous to not eat starchy high carb foods so perhaps after the first tri re-focus on the healthy foods.