"Women in a normal weight range should gain 25-35 pounds during their pregnancy." -WebMD
Back in the days before we started thinking about having a baby, we had a wedding. I lost about 10lbs before my wedding in October 2010. At that point, I weighed 138lbs. I visited my PCP and she told me that I did not need to lose any more weight, so please just maintain and don't try to diet. Well, I'm pretty sure the 10lbs I lost pre-wedding was just wedding stress. I didn't weigh myself between my wedding and my first OB appointment. When I went in for that first OB appointment, I weighed in at 146lbs (exactly one year and 10 days from our wedding day). At 5'7 and I'm pretty happy with my weight when I started my pregnancy.
7 weeks pregnant
I've always carried extra chub in my belly and my belly definitely started pooching out more than normal early on. For me, there was no hiding pregnancy in shirts like this one without a sweater or cardigan over it.
If you have a normal pregnancy, you will get weighed at every visit you make to your OB or midwife. Most doctors will see you every 4 weeks until 27 weeks. At that point, you will start going every 2 weeks until you are at 36 weeks. Finally, you see your OB once a week until the baby arrives. At every visit, you get weighed and your weight either gets ignored or "tsk-tsk'ed."
If you have a normal pregnancy, you will get weighed at every visit you make to your OB or midwife. Most doctors will see you every 4 weeks until 27 weeks. At that point, you will start going every 2 weeks until you are at 36 weeks. Finally, you see your OB once a week until the baby arrives. At every visit, you get weighed and your weight either gets ignored or "tsk-tsk'ed."
During my first trimester, I had some pretty bad food aversions. I didn't want to have anything to do with meat but I could eat other things just fine. There were days when I wouldn't eat much but I always tried to get something down. At my second OB visit, I was told I had lost a pound and was asked if I was eating. I wanted to laugh at my doctor but instead told him I was doing my best. I think he was worried I was dieting or calorie counting.
Once my food aversions went away and the fun part of pregnancy started (cravings!!) and I let myself enjoy it. I've never been a really healthy eater and figured that I didn't really want to change things drastically towards a healthier diet while pregnant either.
20 Weeks Pregnant
Does that sound horrible? Oh well. I never ate really badly but I do allow myself treats when I crave one. I eat the way I learned as a kid: cereal, sandwiches, fruit, chips, meat and potatoes. I don't like vegetables all that much, so I don't eat a lot of them. I do eat dessert at least once a day. I drink lots of water but sometimes supplement with Gatorade because, you know what? Water is boring! I love food and I wasn't going to restrict myself during this one time in a woman's life when she can really just enjoy watching her body grow bigger and not worry about it!
31 Weeks Pregnant
(definitely gained some chub in other areas than just the belly)
I'm currently 37 weeks and 6 days pregnant. My weight is 188lbs, after a starting weight of 146lbs. I found this on WebMD today when I was double-checking some of my stats:
Where Does the Extra Weight Go During Pregnancy?
Baby
| 8 pounds |
Placenta
| 2-3 pounds |
Amniotic fluid
| 2-3 pounds |
Breast tissue
| 2-3 pounds |
Blood supply
| 4 pounds |
Fat stores for delivery and breastfeeding
| 5-9 pounds |
Uterus increase
| 2-5 pounds |
Total
| 25 to 35 pounds |
Source: WebMD
That's a lot of weight that's not just extra fat you're putting on your body!
Now, you might be wondering about exercise. I'll be honest with you about that. Pre-pregnancy, I did not exercise. Every once in a while, I would get this grand idea in my head that I was going to try something new. I would never follow-through. Wait, I take that back. Pre-wedding, I did couch to 5k and ran my first 5k. I also completed Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. When I want to work out, I can. When I have no reason to or just feel bored with it all, I don't work out. I'm LAZY. During my pregnancy, it's been the same way. I tried some prenatal yoga videos and realized even pregnant, I'm the most awkward person on the face of the earth. That was out. I walked some during my first two trimesters but then we hit my third trimester and yeah....walking hurts. I try every once in a while to get out and do a mile around the neighborhood but it takes me so long these days to do that because of the belly and the groin pain. I give up. Come on baby, I'm ready for you to be here already so I can soon at least walk without being in complete misery!!
Finally, here are my stats:
I got "tsk-tsk'ed" at week 27 for gaining 7lbs in 4 weeks. That made me sad but it did kind of knock me upside the head a bit. I knew I was being the woman who ate for two when it comes to desserts. I decided to change one thing. I stopped eating such large bowls of ice cream EVERY NIGHT for dessert. Seriously, people. I was having homemade sundaes with like 5 scoops of ice cream, caramel sauce, crushed oreos, sprinkles, whipped cream and cherries. It was bad.
I did not start eating salads. I did not start dieting or calorie counting. I watched my food intake and made sure I was eating normal sized portions instead of portions no one should ever be able to get down. I found drinking water helped. Everyone says this and I've finally realized, they're right! When I think I'm hungry, I'll drink 24oz of water before I eat something. If I'm still feeling hungry, I'll eat something. Most of the time, the water helps to dampen my appetite but it never gets rid of it. I can usually still get some food down. The water serves two purposes, though. It makes me feel a bit fuller and I'm making sure I'm staying hydrated.
I cut back to ice cream sundaes once or twice a week and had a different, less fattening dessert every night - like an ice cream bar or some homemade cookies. I tried to keep more homemade items in the house like cookies, rice krispie treats or brownies. Those I was able to portion out and eat a certain amount a day instead of gorging.
Well, I saw the same doctor yesterday who tsk-tsk'ed me about my weight at week 27. She actually congratulated me and said I had done a great job with my weight since she saw me last. I was shocked considering I'm up at 188 now, but still happy to hear that from her.
Finally, here are my stats:
I got "tsk-tsk'ed" at week 27 for gaining 7lbs in 4 weeks. That made me sad but it did kind of knock me upside the head a bit. I knew I was being the woman who ate for two when it comes to desserts. I decided to change one thing. I stopped eating such large bowls of ice cream EVERY NIGHT for dessert. Seriously, people. I was having homemade sundaes with like 5 scoops of ice cream, caramel sauce, crushed oreos, sprinkles, whipped cream and cherries. It was bad.
I did not start eating salads. I did not start dieting or calorie counting. I watched my food intake and made sure I was eating normal sized portions instead of portions no one should ever be able to get down. I found drinking water helped. Everyone says this and I've finally realized, they're right! When I think I'm hungry, I'll drink 24oz of water before I eat something. If I'm still feeling hungry, I'll eat something. Most of the time, the water helps to dampen my appetite but it never gets rid of it. I can usually still get some food down. The water serves two purposes, though. It makes me feel a bit fuller and I'm making sure I'm staying hydrated.
I was enjoying treats things like this from Room Service when I was still traveling for work (please excuse the dark hotel room picture plus my first attempt at Instagram filters). In case you are wondering, that's two Doubletree cookies stacked with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. It. Was. Amazing.
I cut back to ice cream sundaes once or twice a week and had a different, less fattening dessert every night - like an ice cream bar or some homemade cookies. I tried to keep more homemade items in the house like cookies, rice krispie treats or brownies. Those I was able to portion out and eat a certain amount a day instead of gorging.
Well, I saw the same doctor yesterday who tsk-tsk'ed me about my weight at week 27. She actually congratulated me and said I had done a great job with my weight since she saw me last. I was shocked considering I'm up at 188 now, but still happy to hear that from her.
I know I gained more than the "average woman" gains during her pregnancy. I know exactly why I gained that weight, too. I think if I would have had more control during my second trimester, I probably would have gained the "recommended" amount. At the same time, am I disappointed with what I have gained? No. Am I looking forward to losing the weight when the baby is here? You better believe it! I look forward to getting back to 150 and if I get under that number? That will just be an extra bonus.
How did you handle gaining weight while you were pregnant? Was it frustrating for you or did you just go with it?
How did you handle gaining weight while you were pregnant? Was it frustrating for you or did you just go with it?
4 comments:
i ran a 5k and did c25k before I got pregnant too, I really need to get back into it!!
Jill, you make a beautiful mommy-to-be! Regardless of the #, what's important is that you are nourishing yourself mind, body & soul for the arrival of your little one! It's not going to be long now! Hope the last few weeks go by quickly! {Hugs!}
I love this post. I think you have an awesome attitude about everything and it's totally something to be admired. I love that you own who you are and your attitudes about food and exercise. And let's face it, those 25-35 lbs? I hardly know a woman who stayed within that range, seriously. As long as your doctor thinks you're fine, you're fine!
And for what it's worth, I think you look absolutely gorgeous. Great post! :)
GO YOU!! :)
Honestly, it's so great to read about someone with a healthy attitude toward the weight gain during pregnancy. I was more than just "tsk-tsk'd" at one of my doctors appointments - I was flat-out told at the end of my second trimester/start of my third trimester that I was to NOT GAIN ANY MORE WEIGHT for the rest of the pregnancy.
I had just hit the 30 pound mark. Bitch was crazy (as was confirmed when I recounted that story to every single other one of my practice's doctors at the remainder of my appointments). I did what any sane person did and ignored her.
Point is, you look beautiful!
Second point is (and this was reiterated for me while learning to BF as well) some doctors/people are too concerned with "what the numbers tell us" and not looking at what our bodies are telling us. It sounds like you are doing what feels right for your body and for BGH, and THAT is honest-to-God the exact right thing to do. :)
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