How Much Weight Is Too Much??

Updated on November 20, 2008
L.M. asks from Fullerton, CA
8 answers

Hi Mamas!!

I am 5'3" and not a petite woman. I gained 25 to 30 pounds with my daughter who was full term. I am 21 almost 22 weeks along now, and have gained 10 pounds. My Dr. told me that I'm gaining weight too fast, and that I need to watch it. I don't understand how that can be considering I have gained less than half as much as I did with my first, and I'm already half way through my pregnancy.

So I was wondering, how much is too much weight to have gained at this point in my pregnancy. Is the Dr. right? My blood pressure is is always around 112/72, and I have never had any sign of diabetes. It's not like I sit around and eat bon bons and chips all day. I walk to and from school twice a week which is about 1/4 of a mile one way. Stay away from fatty processed foods. I even drink diet sodas, on the rare occasion that I do drink a soda. I think my Dr. just wants to make me aware. I don't know.

Thank you!!

L.

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L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

as long as your vitals are good i wouldn't stress it either. i was 5'8" 135lbs when i got pregnant and 215lbs when i delivered. my doctor was fine with my weight gain...it was that darn nurse practitioner (that i would have to see every now and again when my doctor wasn't available) that would get on me about my weight.

enjoy your pregnancy!

rah

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M.F.

answers from Reno on

i wouldnt stress over it i am 5'1" i gained 50 with my first 40 with my seccond and i am currently 25 weeks and have gained 21 so far. if you feel healthy and are atleast walking you will most likely be fine

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Ditto what Lara said.

You cannot correlate your present pregnancy weight gain, based on your first pregnancy... the reason is, you are at a different starting weight, with your 2nd pregnancy.

I was sorta like you... but I am 5' and gained 25 pounds in my first pregnancy... the weight did not come off by the time I was pregnant the 2nd time. THUS, my Doctor said I could not gain no more than 15 pounds this time around. He monitored my weight more strictly and I had a different set of nutritional requirements to follow... mainly, not eating junk and sweets. IF you gain too much weight, given your CURRENT condition now... yes, it can be unhealthy and/or lead to complications. Remember, your "starting weight" this time around is at a higher weight... so you must keep this in mind and this pregnancy is not like your first in terms of health and weight requirements.

With my 2nd pregnancy, I only gained 15 pounds total. My Doctor was very pleased and said it was perfect.

Gaining weight during pregnancy... too much weight.. is "not" always the healthiest thing... and it has to be relative to your current condition and starting point.

Heed to your Doctor... if anything, have your Doctor explain to you why your weight is being watched and how it impacts your health/pregnancy.

All the best,
Susan

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

there are a lot of varaibles here as to what weight is too much. A lot depends on how much weight you have on you to begin with. If I were you I would ask your doctor how much weight he thinks you should gain. A rule of thumb is that you should only gain 2 to 3 pounds the first trimester, and the last trimester expect to gain about a pound a week. Many people who do gain too much weight during pregnancy do so becasue they think that weight gain is constant throughout pregnancy when it is not. The lion's share of weight gain comes at the end of the prenancy.

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R.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

HI there,
It sounds like you are doing all the right things and I'm sure your dr is just trying to make you aware. I gained almost 55 lbs with my son, and 12 of those in just one month! All you can do is continue to wanch wat you eat and keep excercising. Good luck!

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L.T.

answers from San Diego on

Uggh...thes questions are so loaded! Okay, if you are heavy to start with (you said you are not petite ;-)...you cannot afford to gain alot, if you are very slender, the opposite is true. It is for the health of you and your unborn child...the more weight you gain, the more taxing it is on your system (your heart, lungs, vascular sytem), you may be at a greater risk for hypertension, gestational diabetes...etc; your baby may grow too large....there are a multitude of reasons. I would heed your doctor's advice and be very careful to not gain too much (probably no more than 20-25 lbs if you are heavy)...I know it is hard and seems out of your control. Make sure you get daily exercise and watch your intake of sugars and excess fats. You'll be okay....you're half way there! Congratulations and stay healthy!

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

i think your ob is just trying to make you aware. usually you do tend to gain more wieght with your second child. you havent hit the appt where you test for gestational diabetes yet have you?. i on the other have was very under weight for a pregnant herson. i lost 20lbs in the first four months and only gained 15lbs back. my dr said i was having a small baby since i was under weight. i had a very healthy baby girl (even though she got pnuemonia from maconium) weighing in at 8lbs 15oz. i was very active like you are. so i wouldnt worry too much unless your starting to go over the 35lb mark. good luck!

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

every woman is different and every health care provider is different. is this the same doctor you had with your last? i'm guessing not. usually the goal is to gain 1 pound a week between 20 and 40 weeks. there are definitely concerns that doctors have to deal with when moms gains excess weight. now, to know whether or not you're gaining excess weight, i'm not sure how to tell.

i am now 36 weeks and have been keeping track of that scale at every check up. but i think the most important thing is to eat healthy balanced meals and snacks and be active. sounds like you said you're doing that already. :) and if you're already doing that, the weight gain is out of your control.

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