Is my weight gain OK?

Hi everyone!

I'm curious to find out how the rest of you are doing with your weight gain.  I've been feeling really down lately about how much weight I've gained.  

I'm 28.5 weeks and have gained 24lbs.  I thought I was doing pretty good and was on target until just recently.  I've never been a "heavy" person (started at 139lbs and I'm 5'6").  In fact I still workout at the gym 3-4 times a week even though it exhausts me.  I don't eat bad food, but I do eat often.  

The other day my chiropractor gave me a hard time about my weight gain.  He told me if I keep gaining weight then my spine and pelivs are going to suffer and that I should try to watch what I eat a little more.  A few of my extended family members have been putting in their 2 cents as well.  My mother-in-law keeps telling me that she only gained 20lbs through her whole pregnancy and that 2lbs per month was the recommended weight gain.  My father-in-law also told me that I'm as big now as his wife was when she gave birth.  :-(

I don't know what else to do.  I eat healthy food, I workout, I go for evening walks (30-40 min) every night and I'm still packing on the lbs like I'm a bear getting ready to hibernate.  Are these people out of line or should I take advise and start watching what I eat a little more?  

Maybe it's hormones or whatever, but it really makes me sad to know that people are judging me like this.  

[lynne1276]

I'm 26 weeks and have gained 22 lbs.  My doctor said its fine and that I'm right on target.  Everyone is different.  Don't worry, I think your fine

[pertykitty]

if your ob is ok with it and you arent having problems with swelling or high bl pressure, you should tell them to mind their own business. of course your mom only gained 20 pounds, all of ours did. they were told to diet and to keep their weight gain low. i even read at one time in history they were prescribed diet pills. you are eating well, exercising, and what more can you do?? your body will do what it wants,, we are all different. i dont know you or can see you, but i think you are doing one heck of a job!! there have been quite a few posts the past week regarding weight gain. i think its sad that most of us are completly burdened with the thoughts of how much we gain. i am overweight to begin with. so i know i need to be careful. but im also tired of every day stressing over what i should eat or shouldnt eat. how often i eat blah blah blah. im only 8 weeks, i have a LONG road ahead of me. like i said its something you should discuss with your ob, not mom or dad or the chiropractor.

[wonderme]

I think you are doing just fine...what does your OB/GYN say?

It sounds like you are eating healthy and even exercising...and the recommended weight gain is 25-35 lbs -- 35 lbs if you were of normal weight (which you were) when you got pregnant.  This is a guideline and as long as you are not experiencing any medical problems (diabetes, preeclampsia, else) and YOUR doctor (not your chiropractor) isn't concerned, I would politely tell all these people to mind their own business.  You can tell them that while you appreciate their concern, a lot has changed since your MIL had a baby and that YOUR doctor has assured you that your weight gain is fine.

If that doesn't work, I'd just ask them when they got their medical degree -- oh, don't have one, then I guess I really will listen to my doc.

Lastly, with my first preg. I had trouble gaining weight initially -- only about 10 lbs in the first 20 weeks due to bad morning sickness.  But, but pregnancy end I had gained 42 lbs (went through the holidays, please...).  I had a very healthy and happy baby at almost 8 lbs.  I dropped back to my "normal" size within 4-5 months.  My second I gained less -- about 30 -- and still managed to drop back down.

Older now and not at the same weight, but pregger again and hoping to keep weight under control.

You are doing great -- best of luck -- it is only the beginning of the two cents -- suggest laying the groundwork with "helpful" relatives right away so they can temper their advice -- unless you really want it all.

[linzio]

I agree with the above posters,its no one elses business to judge you,as long as you feel well i wouldnt worry,im 16 weeks and gained 1 pound i was overweight to begin with so i think i lost some as i just got a new house and been running around,my doc said i should of gained 10 pound by now lol.But he said im healthy and not to worry .I would enjoy your pregnancy and not worry about things like weight everybody is different,goodluck hun xx

[wait and see]

hello well i think your fine I'm only 18 weeks and 5'3"and started out at 135lbs and am at 151 my ob has yet to say anything she hasn't even weigh me iv been doing that at home and telling her she said that most of it is probably water retention and i shouldn't worry about it as i gain about 60lbs with my last baby and went down to my pre pregnancy size but it is horrible to have people judge you i have a friend how is well about 280bls and she tells me daily that im gaining to much weight she only gained 5 bls with hers babies that may be so but im also 145bls smaller than her normally i wouldn't listen to any one else if your ob is OK with it then don't worry  

[ImmortalOne]

Your weight is fine for your size and pre-pregnancy weight.  I've gained 9lbs so far, and I'm 24w 3d.  HOWEVER, I started this pregnancy at 210lbs.  Its going to be hell to lose it this time, I'm worried about that.  Especially since we want one more and I want to get down to at least 175 or less before then.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I think your weight gain sounds fine, you will be withint the 25-40 lb gain that they call ideal.

Tell everyone to butt out and mind their own business.  I am 25 weeks and have gained 6 lbs, and everyone keeps going on and on about how HUGE I am.  Geesh, that is no what you say to a preggo.

It sounds like you are taking great care of yourself and you are doing great.

[LisaDLK]

Thanks for all your input ladies.  I really appreciate it.  Makes me feel a lot better about myself.  My ob doesn't seem to have a problem with the amount of weight I've gained at all, it's just other people.  I don't know why I let it get to me.  I've always strived to stay at a healthy weight before I was pregnant, so it's hard to let that control go.  I guess my body will hold onto as much fat and water as it wants to so that the baby stays healthy.  That's my main priority anyway.  You ladies are right... I need to tell these people to mind their own business!  Thanks!  :-)

[kris123]

At 28w I had gained 30pounds and now at 33w2d I have gained 48pounds.  I started out at 137 5 5 and was a runner.  I ran 30min a day till my fouth month and started walking uphill for 30min a day after that.  I don't miss many days and I have still managed to gain a lot

[ph0bic]

This is my second pregnancy... and I've gained 7 lbs in the last month!! AHHH! withthe first I gained over 50 lbs... but I want to let you all know, IT COMES OFF! (with a little work) Just enjoy being pregnant...!  (belive me, you're going to look huge no matter which way you stand!)

[ph0bic]

sorry I read that again... I didnt' realize how that sounded. what I mean is... pls don't diet, or stress. A year after my son was born I was back in my skinny jeans! It's only a short time in your life... You are saying you are healthy... so why should the scale matter?? Having a healthy baby trumps it all... this is  YOUR pregnancy... not your moms... she had her turn. NOW it's yours.