Some perspective...overweight & pregnant (long)

Some perspective...overweight & pregnant (long)

I can totally relate to everything that everyone is saying! Before I became pregnant, I went to an endocrinologist to have my thyroid and all sorts of other things tested. I felt I was gaining weight too fast, and having a very difficult time losing it! All my tests turned out completely normal, but I was frustrated.

Prior to becoming pregnant, I was 50 lbs. overweight. I am a small-framed person and stand only 5' 1' tall, so the extra weight is not good for me. The endocrinologist advised me to try and lose weight before I became pregnant - it would make pregnancy and labor and delivery better for me. I understood, but little did I know that I was ALREADY pregnant while I was sitting in her office!!

So, my weight really had to become a non-issue...I had no choice. The upshot is that I am in good health, aside from the extra weight. My blood pressure is great, my cholesterol is low and I have passed my glucose (gestational diabetes) tests so far. I feel healthy, and have no major complaints with my pregnancy (I am six months along and have gained about 21 lbs.)

The moral of the story is - none of you would be the first women in the world to get pregnant while you have some extra weight on you. As long as you and your OB manage your progress, you should be fine. I happen to be blessed with a team of OB doctors that aren't obsessive about weight. Their collective philosophy is NOT to focus on the scale. Their belief is that dieting in general causes problems, and dieting during pregnancy can only cause tragedy. You need to feed your body to make a healthy baby.

I will say that it's possible for a woman to eat healthy during the pregnancy and not gain an ounce above her pre-pregnancy weight for the first six months. A friend of mine was able to do this, but it was under the strict guidance of a nutritionist.

I will be honest, I do have moments where I panic about my weight, and what I will look like after the baby is born. But, I remind myself often that I will have to lose the weight slowly, and not by crash-dieting b/c I plan to breastfeed.

For now, I am trying very hard to make smart food choices, and not beat myself up if I have a craving or occasionally splurge.

My advice is - weight is only one indication of a person's overall well being. If you are in general good health, don't pressure yourself with excessive weight loss prior to becoming pregnant. You can still workout and remain active during your pregnancy. In fact, it's important to do so, to prepare for labor and delivery.
I wish you all the best...fertility to everyone who is trying!!!

Thanks Claud2001 for your words...

...I think we'll all look at the issue a bit differently. And abosolutely no crash diets. It has to be a change in lifestyle - a hard one and a slow one -- as difficult as that is.

I think you are absolutely right about being healthy versus being at an ideal weight. You can be overweight and be a bit more in shape or healthy than those that are thin.

I wish you much success and happiness as you journey through your pregnancy.

You're welcome, and thanks for the well-wishes *NM*

Claud... BFing is GREAT for getting back into shape...

My sister is prego with baby #3 and she is a big fan of breastfeeding. It is said that breastfeeding brings you back to your original weight (and some lose more weight after giving birth)... I forgot the exact explanation, but it really is great for your body.

Lots of luck to you ! YOur words were very inspiring on pregnancy and on Valentines Day !! Sounds like you'll be a GREAAATTTT MOMMM !!!

:)

Are you in Suffolk County ? May I ask what Obgyn you use ?
Also, if you want to chat more about nursing or pregnancy in general, i can give you my sisters email address. let me know.
There are also some great websites
epregnancy.com, pregnancycalendar.com

:)
anna

Anna, thank you for the sweet words...

I would love to recommend my OB/GYN, but I live in California, so it really wouldn't help anyone on LI.

If anything, I'll be looking for recommendations from you guys shortly after the baby is born, b/c hubby and I are planning to move back to LI to be near family.

Thanks so much for the offer on emailing your sister - that is very sweet of you! Right now, I am preparing to take a BFing seminar next Tuesday - I will let you know how it goes. I hope that when the baby arrives, I can do it. I have read so much and talked to so many people, and from what I hear, it's not easy and doesn't work for everyone. We shall see...I am looking forward to the experience of bonding with the baby :)
Thanks again for your very kind words and encouragement!

Anna, thank you for the sweet words...

Claud, Im glad you have heard that its not easy and it doesnt work for everyone (but with your positive attitude, you know that 'you can make it work!').

My sister can vouch for that, she cried her EYES OUT the first month or 2, it teared my heart out seeing her cry in pain (PLEASEE DOONNTTT get discouraged by this), she then found out that she had not been doing something right (on how she positioned the baby). She had also found out about LA LECHE LEAGUE
(their website is
http://www.lalecheleague.com/ )

'Leche' meaning milk in spanish, They are VERY PRO BFing, and they changed my sisters LIFE ! SHE adores them. They helped her through it at that time on the phone (they have an 800 line that may be on the website, or i can ask her). She also bought a book from them. (one of the staff members lived by her, so she came and personally delivered the book) 3 years later, she can be an instructor, lol, she BF''s anywhere, anytime - of course discreetly, that takes mastering, lol.(her youngest is 11mths, she BF''s till 1yr.). From what I have seen, it is an amazing bond, and Try not to give up if the baby doesnt latch on right away...


Lots of luck to you and keep me posted !

:)
anna

claud-

Thank you for sharing. It puts a different perspective on things. I also agree with STeph28- we are all streesing over this- and THAT will work against anything we are trying to accomplish.
Breathe in, breathe out..
Hugs!