Does weight gain correlate with the size of the baby?

[specialteacher]

I am 28W3D and everything has been going well this time around.  I've started my childbirth classes and I am enjoying them.  My concern is that our teacher was asking everyone how much weight they had gained so far and she was not happy with me.  I have only gained about 4 pounds total.  In my defense, I lost several pounds due to vomiting early on.  I have gained back the weight I lost, plus the 4 pounds.  She told me that if I didn't gain more weight I would have a tiny baby that could be unhealthy.  Not exactly good news!

My question is, does weight gain have anything to do with the weight and/or health of the baby?  

I have been measuring normally at my appointments according to the midwife.  Also, I am around 5'2" and started out at 148 pounds so I was actually a little overweight to start with.  Could that be an issue too?

Sorry for a long post.  Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated as always!

[Hulahut]

Hi!  Haven't corresponded in a while.  How are you doing?  I wanted to let you know that my OB said that weight gain really has not too much to do with the size of the baby.  For example, my next door neighbor gained 60+ pounds and had a 7.5lb baby boy last November.  I've gained 35+ pounds (started at 113 - eek!), and my OB said that he's measuring right on track.  I'm sure I've gained more, and I'll find out at today's appt (32w5d).  Anyway, I'm shocked that your instructor asked that question anyway in front of others.  It's COMPLETELY individual how much weight one gains - dependant on how sick you get, your metabolism, your stature, your appetite, all kinds of stuff.  If your doc/midwife is not concerned, then you shouldn't be.  My mom lost weight with my brother due to being sick almost the entire time, and he came out around 8lbs.  Hope this helps!!

[5preg2B]

I've gained 10 lbs and they indicate my baby is large so no not necessarily a correlation there

[specialteacher]

I'm doing great.  Thanks for asking.  I had the 4D scan a couple weeks ago and I'm having a girl for sure.  DH and I are going to spend the weekend painting the nursery pink.  lol  Hope all is well with you too.

[lovefamily]

I think if you start out a little over weight, it is not that big of a deal if you don't gain a lot especially if you lost weight during the beginning.  When they measure your belly at your monthly appoitments that can tell if you are where you need to be or not.  They are actually measuring to see how much your uterus has grown.  I am 24 weeks and have gained around 15 lbs. according to Doc.   According to my records I have gained 20 lbs.  I am 24 wks but am measuring 27 wks.  The Doc said it is probably going to be a big baby, not by weight gain but by the size of my uterus now.  I normally have nice size babies.  You may not start gaining a lot of weight until the last several weeks.  

[kris123]

I wish I only gained about four pounds I'm with Hul but I have passed her I'm at 48pounds and 33w1d.  Oh God help me these last weeks :-)  The dr. told me my baby was big though.  I only gained 25pounds with my daughter and she was 7p13oz.  

[AndiJ78]

Nope, not much to worry about there. Some owmen gain next to nothing and have bigger babies, some gain a lot and have small babies. With my first 2 I gained nearly 50lbs and had one that was 8 lbs 5 oz and the second was 8 lbs 7 ounces. My third was the biggest at a few ounces shy of 9 lbs, but I gained much less weight with him.

Now if you are very thin and have not gained weight, your baby may remain smaller, but won't necessarily be tiny.

[specialteacher]

Thanks for the comments.  I am sure that if my midwife were concerned she would have mentioned it by now and I certainly appreciate your reassuring answers.  My next appointment  is on Friday and I will talk to the midwife more then.  Good luck as all of you finish up your pregnancies!!!

[lisa]

i am 5'0 and weighed about 97lbs when i fell pregnant with my ds i only gained about 25lbs in my pregnancy and he was born weighing 8lb 9oz

[Hulahut]

Yay - a girl!  Everyone I know, including me, are having boys.  Can't wait to share in that!!

[deanne11]

I gained 16 lbs my entire pregnancy and my dd was 8.2 of it.

I am 17 weeks now and only have gained 3 lbs.

[jd1419]

I gained 17 lbs with each pg--I had babies that weighed 8 1/2 lbs and my second was 8' 12oz.  So I don't think it really matters--as long as it is a healthy weight gain.  I would listen to your doctor more than the nurse giving hte classes.  That is a question that she should not have asked.  I was never asked anything like that during my birthing class.

[lfb]

My mom only gained 11 pounds total with me and I weighed over 9 pounds.  She swears it has nothing to do with it.

[lfb]

My mom only gained 11 pounds total with me and I weighed over 9 pounds.  She swears it has nothing to do with it.

[lfb]

My mom only gained 11 pounds total with me and I weighed over 9 pounds.  She swears it has nothing to do with it.

[marie1210]

My cousin lost a total of 17 pounds during her pregnancy, never gained an ounce.  Her little boy weighed 8lbs 11oz. and was perfectly healthy.  

My mother was a pound lighter when she had her C-section for my brother, than when she first got pregnant.  He was born at 8lbs. 6oz. also healthy.  

I think they make a bigger issue about weight than they need too.  As long as the baby is growing properly and you're taking care of yourself, don't worry.  

[Crritter]

You poor thing, I can't believe they asked you about that in class.  There really isn't a a correlation, or at least from what I have been told.  I didn't put on any weight with either of my babies till 6 months, then it was at most 2 pounds.  I lost weight in the beginning too, about 15 lbs. each time.  I put that back plus a few extra pounds.  My Dr. counts that weight that you put back as gain though since you really are putting on weight, you just took a little longer to start and went down a little.  With my first baby I gained 23 pounds (8 pounds over my prepregnancy weight) and he was 10 lbs. 3 oz. at birth.  With baby #2 I put on 18 lbs. (3 pounds over prepregnancy weight) and he was 8 lbs. 13 oz.  It was nice because after baby I lost it all plus some so I am under my prepregnancy weight, so not much worry about weight for me, just need to get my belly back in shape.  You are really lucky and baby gets what he/she needs from you, just make sure you are taking your vitamin and eating well.  Trust me, the weight will pack on soon enough, hopefully not too fast at once, and then you will feel better.  I even lost weight again the last few weeks of my pregnancy, so I was pretty much at prepregnancy weight when I had them.  If your Dr. is not concerned, don't worry.  Have fun at class!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

You have really gained more than 4 lbs anyway as you got below your pre-pregnancy weight, gained those pounds and then an additional 4 pounds.  And many women do not hav a huge weight gain and many women don't gain until the last 10 weeks.

If you are measuring well and the measurements are increasing your doc will not worry.  Just eat well and follow your doc's instructions and your baby will be fine.

[Tia Lucila]

I'm not taking child birth classes, so I have no idea, are the instructors doctors?  If they are not doctors, then it seems that your instructor definitely over-stepped her boundaries.  Even if the instructor is a doctor, doctors shouldn't make those judgments based on just one factor.  

[Crritter]

In our childbirth classes the teachers were nurses from labor and delivery.  It was nice because they are the ones that help you through the labor, Dr.'s usually show up to check once or twice andthen just to deliver baby and the next day to discharge you.  The nurses really know their stuff, but the above poster is right, she did overstep some and I would just dieregard her comments and let her know that your Dr. is fine with it.  You really have gained more than 4 lbs. though, so don't stress.  Baby is still pretty small anyway, you will gain soon enough.  

[specialteacher]

Thank for you for comments.  Everyone is telling me that I will gain plenty of weight these last few weeks anyway.  I guess it was just one more thing to worry about when she told me that last night.

[twiceadopt]

just to add something.. i started my pregnancy probably 30 lbs overweight. i lost 15 in the first trimester, then over the next 6 months gained it back plus maybe 5 more pounds (for a net gain of 5 lbs). the baby came out a little over 6 lbs. so i gained almost nothing, but i clearly had plenty of reserves for her and she came out on the small side.

[KatsPlayland]

I won't worry. I barely gained 17lbs while I was prego with my daughter.  And she came out a VERY healthy 10lbs.