Am I gaining enough weight?

  Hi
  My normal weight has been 165 lb for several years, this is high for me since I'm only 5'3''.  Last fall I started gaining weight and it went up to 177lb. I had stopped my bithcontrol pills in Aug. and I was in school and spending a lot of time at cafes with good coffe drinks and pastrys, so I'm pretty sure thats where the weiight gain came from. In Jan I found out that i was finally pregnant. I threw up a lot the first months and had no appetite at alll, until my dr. prescribed a med to make me less nauseous. In this time I had lost 7 lbs. I'm now 25 weeks along and I have just gained back two of the seven lbs. (I'm now at 172 lbs.)  I read anout one woman who had gained about 19 lbs. by 6 mo. and I guess that is too much. My dr. says the baby has been growing ok, but I'm still concerned if I eat enough. I seem to eat healthier now than before. I crave fruits and vegetables much more than meat and junkfoods. But it is therefore hard to get the 2  3oz servings of meat in to my mouth.
  Everybody tells me I should be happy not to gain too much weight because it is easier to return to normal after birth, and also that my baby will be smaller. Well I just want my baby to be healthy and have the best start in life possible.
  Am I ok as far as weight gain and how much should I aim to gain per week from now on?
  Thank you this is a wonderful forum.
  Jenny
Dear Jenny:
Your doctor has given you great reassurance: the baby is growing appropriately. There are patients in whom we attempt to keep their weight fairly constant, using their "body stores" to support the growth the baby and the uterus.
Keep doing as your physician directs and you will do fine.
Keyword: pregnancy, weight