Does anyone know if it's true that the more weight you gain, the bigger your baby will be? My MW told me this, and it doesn't make sense, but I'm not sure if I misunderstood her. She told me to watch my weight, since I'm only 5 feet tall and in order to have natural childbirth, I don't want to have a big baby. I know many will disagree with this, including MDs, but I just want to get different information so I don't have to worry if I gain more than 25 lbs. I've already gained 14 at 21 weeks.
kptoys
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I gained 58lbs with Emma and she weighed 7lbs 15oz 5 days late. I think for the health of the baby you arent supposed to eat crap. I know overweight people have a harder time with delivery. Im not sure why. But I really dont think the more weight you gain the bigger the baby will be... the baby takes what it needs from you and leaves the rest to your fat cells. JMO
Claud2001
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I don't really understand what your MW told you. My doctors never really got too specific with me about my weight during my pregnancy, but that was probably ONLY b/c my blood pressure was perfect, I didn't have gestastional diabetes or preeclampsia. However, if I did have any difficulties or complications, I'm sure they would have monitored me more carefully (regarding weight gain), especially since I was about 45 lbs. overweight when I became pregnant.
I gained 35 lbs. with Paul, and he was born 8 lbs. 11 oz. He was born right at his due date.
I agree with Karen - the baby takes what they need from you, and the rest gets left behind...unfortunately for my butt! LOL!
Edited to add - despite my weight or height (I am only 5'1'), I was able to deliver naturally. It took me 4 hours to push Paul out, but that was due to him being slightly turned in the birth canal, which made it almost impossible for me to push him past my pubic bone. The doctor never said anything about my weight being a factor with the length of the birth.
NIHA
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Thanks. My MW is quite conservative and strict when it comes to diet during (and after) pregnancy, and I knew that when we first met with her. I really like her though, so DH and decided that we would follow her advice as much as possible, but also not tell her that I ate a whole bunch of french fries and stuff that she may not think I should be eating. I think she's just doing her job, women that go to her are looking to have no uneccessary medical intervention, so that is why she is so strict. If I had an OB, he or she would probably not say much about my weight gain.
So far, my blood pressure, protein and sugar have been fine, and she said I'm doing great (aside from the weight), so I'm not going to worry too much. On the other hand, I was about 15-20 lbs overweight pre-pregnancy, so being 144 (and still gaining) and 5' tall doesn't sound so good to me. Oh well.
Lee
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I am 30 pounds overweight and at week 26 I have only gained 6 pounds. I know it is important to gain a certain amount of weight, but so far my dr. is satisfied that everything is fine - bp good, etc. I would eat when you are hungry, eat healthy and allow yourself the occasional binge - that's what I'm doing. I'm sure in this last trimester the weight will be piling on!! I don't think weight gain necessarily has anything to do with the size of the baby, but you do want to make sure the baby gains a healthy amount of weight...
Claud2001
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Nina - of course your MW is doing her job by being strict, but perhaps she should offer you a little more detail when she makes certain comments, so that you know how to modify your diet or behavior properly. Edited to add - have you considered visiting a nutritionist? Maybe that would help too.
According to everything that I read both before and during my pregnancy, for a woman of you height, you should probably aim to gain between 20-25 lbs. I tried to limit myself to that range, but I was too hungry! Although, during the last weeks of pregnancy, I think I actually lost some weight b/c I was so 'full' of baby that I could get any food into my really squished stomach! LOL!
NIHA
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I guess at this rate, I'm going to be over the 20-25 lbs. She did say to limit carbs, and eat whole grains, no white breads. She said I can have up to 2 small servings of fruit/fruit juice (more fruit = more calories and sugar), and eat more lean meats and veggies.
I guess the other thing about her being strict, is that she doen't talk about limiting certain foods like french fries, instead she just says to eliminate them completely, but that's too hard for me. FF are one of my joys in life!!
alina
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I think Claud is right in saying that a weight gain should be around 20-25 lbs. I remember reading that number in one of the prego books when I browsed. I also read somewhere, that there is also x calories that a growing baby inside needs per day, and in that section they stressed specifically that whatever that # of calories was, it wasn't really all that high. So to that extent they did say 'dont over eat' in a more gentle words.
michele31
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Nina I also think she is being cautious with you for AFTER the baby comes. Talking off pregnancy weight is not always easy and maybe she is trying to help you now by being a bit strict. People just did a story on Celebs that look great just a few months after having a baby- and every one of them had a personal trainer and cook. So since most of us are not in that position she is probably trying to help you not gain too much too quickly. I think not eating white flour is better for you anyway- baby or no baby- although I do eat it myself. I WISH I hated carbs but I don't
shamma
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Hey what does MW mean??? all these darn baby/TTC codes flying all around the place, it makes my head spin. I want to be in the know too
alina
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Shamma, I think it means mid-wife
christine1221
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Midwife ... I think.
What about excersize & pregnancy? Can you? How do you know how much is enough ... I'd think it was a good idea but then again, there are people who say no.
kptoys
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I was told as long as there were no problems I could continue to do what Ive always done. You arent allowed to do crunches or sit ups... but walking and other aerobic stuff is fine as long as you are ok and doc says OK
shamma
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
thanks ladies, I am sure I will be throwing these abbreviations one of these days
shamma
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
As to exercise, I have seen women in my gym up to 7 mos exercising. I think it depends on what your doctor says. I think nothing is wrong with walking on the threadmill and light weight like, bicep curls etc. I think Taebo is out of the question.
MichelleW
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Shamma is correct ! Most doctors do not want your heart rate to go above 140 BPM or have you lifting heavy weights. when I was PG last summer I was told not to do any high impact classes (ie, power step, or kickboxing) they would rather you walk, or swim .
Claud2001
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
I think the answer will really vary greatly with every doctor and every patient. My OB's were very progressive with their care, and did not make a habit of telling me that there was *anything* that I could not do....with exception to stomach crunches, like Karen pointed out, but for obvious reasons. However, this is the perfect time to master Kegels!!!
Just to give an example of what is possible while pregnant, my best friend is an aerobics instructor and she was still teaching her classes at the gym and working out up until her ninth month of pregnancy...she just modified her personal activity level to suit her physical condition and abilities. She just gave birth to a very healthy little girl last week.
You do have to be careful with excercise, especially if you became pregnant at a time when you were not maintaining a regular excercise routine. It takes the human body awhile to adjust to excercise, and starting a program AFTER you are already pregnant does have its risks. Pregnant women are known to be extra clumsy, easily thrown off balance (due to a shift in your center of gravity) and more susceptable to injury b/c hormones loosen your muscles and ligaments.
The bottom line is, don't push yourself too hard and speak to your doctor about any excercise before you start!
melissa27
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
On the weight gain issue....
Personally, I feel that as long as you're eating healthy for the majority of the time, the numbers on the scale should not matter so much. Obviously, you shouldn't gain like 100 lbs, but if you listen to your body and eat when you are hungry, I think that your body will gain what it needs to gain. Does that make any sense? Remember, this is JMO.
I am 30 weeks pregnant today (wahoo!!!) and I have gained about 25 lbs. I started out at 5'1' and 105 lbs...I am not overeating or eating a lot of junk, so I have no idea why I've gained so much for my small body. But I've realized that maybe my body needs the extra 'fat' for the baby. I've stopped worrying about it (and my doctor thinks it perfectly fine) and know I will lose the weight once the baby is born.
Nina, if you want french fries once in a while, HAVE THEM! Don't deny yourself a treat. As long as it's not your main course each night, I can't see any reason to stop eating something you enjoy (of course, there ARE some things pregnant women need to avoid and I know that. :) ) 14 lbs at 21 weeks sounds pretty good to me! Don't worry!
shamma
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Claud, I had a teacher who was 6 and a 1/2 mos preggo teaching my class and I could hardly see her belly and she was doing her thing. I feel good when I see women still exercising. My GF told me that some people just take pregnancy as a reason to overeat, she said some people like to say, oh I am eating for 2 when most of the time what they are eating is not healthy. She said when the baby is born some women find it hard going back to smaller portions. Then they carry that post baby weight around.
melissa27
Posted:
Member since
Re: Pregnancy and weight gain
Shamma, you are so right about women saying 'Oh, it's ok, I'm eating for two now...!' Technically, that may be the case, however in actuality, your body only needs about 300 more calories per day while you are pregnant. So those who are preggo should not use that as an excuse to overeat!
I wish I could exercise...I feel so flabby and lazy. But I have been having a lot of problems lately with my heart (they found a murmur AND I have major tachycardia--my heart is beating very fast) so I really can't do much, other than run around after my third graders! My heart beat has been over 120 bpm while I'm resting...so I'm not allowed to overdue it. YUCK!
Only 10 weeks to go...as much as I love being pregnant, I can't wait to get my body back!
