Keeping a Healthy Weight During and After Pregnancy

There is no set amount of weight that women need to gain to grow a healthy baby. I started my pregnancy at a healthy, normal bmi. My obstetrician told me that between 20 and 30 pounds is what I needed to gain. Meanwhile, at 36 weeks gestation, at a weight gain of 18 pounds, my maternal fetal specialist sent a note to my ob that I was not gaining enough weight. She told me to ignore that comment, as my baby was measuring completely normal, and I'm the one who has to tote around all the unnecessary(non baby related) lbs.My total weight gain up to 38 weeks when I delivered was 24 pounds, and this yeilded a 6 lb 3 oz baby. That's on the small end, but if he had finished baking and stayed put until the full 40 weeks, I would have had a perfectly average 7 pounder.

I think appropriate weight gain has a lot to do with the kind of body condition you have when you become pregnant. If you're underweight, you should attempt to acheive a healthy weight before conceiving. I needed a healthy weight because I lost 10 pounds the first trimester. If you're already thin, you don't have a buffer in case you do get sick and lose weight. You also want to make sure that you gain healthy weight.

Overweight women need to get into shape before pregnancy. Pregnancy is hard enough on your feet and back without extra weight. Maintaining a healthy weight also makes conception easier.

Even if you eat healthy and exercise, keep a healthy body throughout pregnancy, losing the weight afterwards can still be an uphill battle.

• Breastfeed. Breastfeeding is healthy for your baby, and it also burns calories. Don't use it as an excuse for a free-for-all diet though. Eating healthy combined with breastfeeding can speed your weight loss.


• Make time to eat right. When I was a brand new mom, it was fast food and frozen dinners for the first month or so. I had no time to cook, and the hubby was working hard and hungry when he came home. So, we did what was easy. I think this was where I got off to such a slow start in my weight loss journey. All the breastfeeding in the world won't make up for Big Macs, Taco Bell, and frozen lasagnas night after night. Make healthy casseroles on the weekend when you have help that will last you a few days. Pasta also keeps for awhile, so make a lot of spaghetti or pasta salad. You can also freeze individual portions of meals you make on the weekend to microwave and eat throughout the week.


• Walk, walk, walk. New moms typically don't have time or energy to hit the gym 3 times a week. So put your baby in a carrier or stroller and get walking. It's a great way to exercise and get out of the house and do something. If walking doesn't yeild quick enough results and you are fit enough, try jogging. You'll need a jogging stroller for that, as typical strollers don't have enough shock absorbtion.


• Set goals, but be realistic. My son was born in October. I thought I would be back in my skinny jeans by Christmas. Was I ever disappointed. I'm happy to say that I am now, 9 months later, in my skinny jeans, and only 6 pounds away from my goal. Also, be flexible. Eat healthy and the scale and your jeans will reward you...eventually. Don't give up, but don't starve yourself either in a rush to get thin. Lose the weight gradually and be healthy. This will also help you keep the weight off.