Pregnant and Overweight

[CarolineF]

Hi there

Can't seem to find a thread that relates to this - but I am just wondering if there are mums2B who are pregnant and overweight?

I know this is a difficult topic, and there is a view that you should not go out to lose weight whilst pregnant. But I was wondering, what did other M2B do/are doing to make sure they put on no more than they should etc?

I noticed an article on Angelina Jolie who had put herself out to not gain any extra weight at all during her pregnancy, and she looked skeletal.

In my first pregnancy I started off at 12st 5 lbs, and was the same weight immediately after my daughters birth. I then put on about 1st (c6kg) in the first few months after cos we were both poorly. Since then, I have struggled to lose the weight, been diagnosed with thyroid disease but have fortunately not gained any weight so far (I am about8weeks).

I am seeing an endocrinologist who is keen I do not gain much weight at all. She has put me on a low GI eating plan.

Any views? thoughts? Experiences you would like to share?

[MummaRobyn]

Hey there *honest and out there response*

When preggers with my first I was about 85kgs and he weighed 4.18kgs (9 pound 2). During that pregnancy I stayed about the same weight (so in fact lost 4kgs as I had gained that weight in baby without it showing on the scale.

With my number two I weighed 108kgs and I lost about 4kgs with her (plus weight of baby), she was 7 pound 5.

With my number three I weighed 117kgs (yeah I stack on between babies no worries hehe). I lost 6kgs that time and she weighed 6 pound 13.

Now I am 105kgs and 5 foot 4. I have been lighter and I have been heavier in pregnancy. I find that I actually loose weight during pregnancy without meaning to - drs say this is because I am already carrying enough! So far in this pregnancy I have lost 8.5kgs. Now don't get me wrong I never try to loose weight, it just happens. Nor to I try to make myself not gain weight - as this is unhealthy for the mind!

I find that in pregnancy I crave healthy foods which is good and I also eat in smaller amounts like six small meals a day, stopping as soon as I feel comfortable and not overly full - which in my opinion is why I loose weight. You can see from my belly pic above that I have no problem gaining a belly!! My girls have been lighter than my first because they both have a syndrome (like myself) which means, in part, that they are born lighter than the usual. So this baby (and my son) don't have the syndrome so I think that I am in for another 9 pounder hehe

I think in pregnancy you should aim to be healthy and not focus on weightloss or gain, rather how you feel, how you look and that you are active enough for the amount of food you eat.

I have also found that because I have coped rather well with rapid weight-gains in my life so that gaining the weight of baby in pregnancy has not had the adverse reactions it has had on those who have always been slim and light.

Oh gee... am I making any sense or just rabbiting on??? hehe

[Sarie]

I was over weight in both my pregnancies. Before I fell pregnant 2nd time round I weighed in at 85kg and just before I had PJ I weighed 83kg.
I did have GD and had to work hard at the diet and exercise to keep my GD under control, but I'll tell you I felt fantastic.
I lost weight consistantly for the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy and while the dietician wasn't impressed my doctor was quite happy.
I now weigh 68kg and I'm trying to lose the last bit of weight before I get pregnant again.
Stick to the low GI plan and try to get in some exercise after you eat, I was suggested 10 minutes of anything... even walking on the spot is better than nothing. I used to do 20 minutes on an exercise bike after each meal and a 3-4km walk every night.
Good luck!

[sugar n spice]

*honest and out there response*

I have been lighter and I have been heavier in pregnancy. I find that I actually loose weight during pregnancy without meaning to - drs say this is because I am already carrying enough! So far in this pregnancy I have lost 8.5kgs. Now don't get me wrong I never try to loose weight, it just happens. Nor to I try to make myself not gain weight - as this is unhealthy for the mind!

I find that in pregnancy I crave healthy foods which is good and I also eat in smaller amounts like six small meals a day, stopping as soon as I feel comfortable and not overly full - which in my opinion is why I loose weight.

yes thats me to

I was 70 kgs when i fell preg with n01 and went up to 82 i think or less. only gained 6kgs throught out and the last 6 was all fluid at the end with PE.

second time round iwas 85 kg and when i gave birth i was 92 kgs.

I lost weight at the beginning of both pregs and only gained it at the end therefore losing it all immediately afterwards. My problem now is i stacked it on after with each one. Im now 91 kgs arrrrgh

gotta do something about that

[CarolineF]

I found out when pregnant last time that I ate well, not a lot at all, and did not gain.

The thyroid problem occurring has affected me badly. My endocrinologist has referred me to a gastro cos my ALT is slightly raised indicating a fatty liver, but my triglycerides and cholesterol are normal, as is my blood pressure. My iron is very low, to the extent that I am to have an iron infusion, and my endo has suggested i have an endoscopy and a colonoscopy in my second trimester!!!!!!!

Suffice to say, my GP has contacted the gastro and he is not keen on performing such intrusive tests on a pregnant woman unless it was an emergency. he is going to watch my bloods etc from a distance and keep an eye on things.

Its frustrating when you know you eat well, but a variety of health issues affects the results.

I don't feel good, I feel tired all the time and frustrated at my weight. I know I just have to plod on and eat low GI.....and get some exercise (not easy if your iron stores are at 2%). Its a vicious circle - to lose weight exercise is vital as well as a good diet, but to exercise you have to have energy. My iron is so low that my red cells are changing colour.

I;'m waffling...sorry.

Its interesting reading all your experiences though, cos we all seem to be around the same weight. Good luck to all

[Sarie]

Aw hon, my heart goes out to you.

[rynosmum]

Hi Caroline,

I too struggle with a thyroid disorder which certainly makes it more difficult to maintain or lose weight. I also have urticaria which makes it impossible to exercise without daily antihistamines.

When I was pregnant, I was on Lite N Easy 1200Kjs. I took it to my OB and a nutritionist to have a look at and they were both fine with it. Lots of fresh fruit and veg and of course, I avoided most of the naughty extras. I crazily dropped the liteneasy half way through though and whilst not eating a lot, put on stacks of weight. (Started at 64kgs and ended at 92kgs). Once I got my thyroid under control and started exercising again though it all went, I'm now back to 64/65. I'd like to drop another 3-4kgs but have not been stressing too much. My thyroid flared up again at Christmas and it took me quite a few weeks to get it sorted again.

So in short, yes, you can diet - as long as you are having enough fresh fruit, veg and protein. Run it past a nutritionist and perhaps even a natropath though.

[CarolineF]

Sarie - thank you - if I was a horse they would probably shoot me.

rynosmum - i did lite'n'easy when i first arrived here last year. The main meals are shocking, but the rest are fine. BUT, i did not lose weight!

Like many thyroid patients I eat like a sparrow but still gain. I know that exercise is the key, as is stabilising my thyroid. I hope that Low GI will at least stop me gaining too much weight.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, although i did not put on much weight my belly got so big it that when I walked in a room it was like Concorde coming out of its hanger for the first time!!! My belly entered 5 minutes before the rest of me.

I would love a really neat and discreet little bump.

[rynosmum]

I would love a really neat and discreet little bump.

I know what you mean, I didn't have one of those either

What is the thyroid issue if you don't mind me asking ? Do you have your T3, T4 and TSH readings ?

[CarolineF]

I'm on thyroxine. I have the auto immune disorder Hashimotos.

My thyroid does not have to go too far out of the normal range for me to start falling apart - mild depression, weight gain, extended periods, no concentration etc

In 2004 when I was diagnosed I had an 8 week bleed!!!!!!! My TSH was 7.8

I was put on thyroxine and it dropped to o.78, perfect if you are on thyroxine.

Its now going up again and is at 4.7 - not very high, but it always sends me far out and I become very symptomatic. My endo has increased my dose cos I am preggers, and is watching it, but she is more worried about my iron.

I'm not sure what my T4 is, i know they did not measure my Free T3 last time.

They are going to be repeated in a month before I see the endo again. Its costing me a blinking fortune!!!!!