Pregnancy Question: Should I lose weight first?
By evalowrain
@evalowrain (32)
United States
March 16, 2007 10:35am CST
I'll try to be brief.
I'm currently overweight by about 50 pounds. I had lost weight and then I got pregnant, gained 30 pounds immediately, (I could only eat certain things and drink juice - everything else made me vomit). Then, I miscarried.
I have lost about 10 pounds of the 30 pounds. I've recovered from the miscarriage and am thinking about trying again. But should I lose weight first?
I'm of two minds. On one hand, I know extra weight increases the risk of problems. I was overweight when I had my first child, and I was on the road to preclempsia when they put me on bedrest. She was a big baby, but healthy. And I know that overweight women give birth all the time without complications. Also, I really don't want to wait another year - which is probably how long it'd take me to lose the weight in a healthy manner.
But now I weigh more than I did then. And I'm older - nearly 36. And I definitely don't want to miscarry or jeopardize the pregnancy. I couldn't handle it. But then, the miscarriage had nothing to do with my weight. It was a weird fluke - a blood clot in the umbilical cord. Still, it was devasting.
I'm interested to hear other women's opinions.
2 people like this
5 responses
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
16 Mar 07
50 pounds overweight is not that bad you know ... usually risky pregnancy are stated for obese women and if you are only 50 pounds overweight it should not be a problem ... only during your pregnancy don't eat too much or the bad stuff and concentrate on fruit and vegetables ... what I would start doing though is walking or even excercising ... it will help you during the pregnacy if your muscles are strong ... plus you can keep the good habit of walking throughout the pregnancy ... and if you are not exercising at all now it might help you lose a few pounds as well
If you still have doubts, well, just ask a doctor,he will know
Good luck to you ... and to a healthy baby!
@cjthedog64 (1552)
• United States
19 Mar 07
Health wise - it's better for you and baby if you can lose weight and get into the habit of eating healthy food, before you get pregnant. Then you can just deal with things as they come up.
I lost 60 pounds before trying to have a baby. Got pregnant right away, and didn't gain much until the end. Gained right back to where I was though, and haven't been able to lose it since. Haven't worked super hard at it though. I'm just glad that I started at a lower weight. If I'd gained 60 lbs over what I was originally, I'd be having a very difficult time. You might not be able to reach your goal, but anything you can manage is better than nothing, and like I said, getting yourself into good eating habits is the most important thing. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@daedel2006 (147)
• United States
16 Mar 07
I think I would try to lose at least 20 lbs. It will be healthier for you and your baby.
1 person likes this
@sunup13 (420)
• Canada
22 Mar 07
Since you are older and weigh more than you think you should, I suggest you consult your doctor. I think there is a period you should wait anyway before you get pregnant again, I think its 6 months, just to make sure your body is ready. In the meantime, just eat healthier and try walking everyday, exercise is good for women trying to get pregnant. Good luck and take care.
@ChampagneGiggles (699)
• United States
16 Jun 07
Definitely talk to your doctor. As you said, you're nearly 36 which is the bridging point for complicated pregnancies and I'm sure you wouldn't want to add further stress to your child by having a health problem as well. Either way, getting healthy is always a good thing, so regardless of what you choose to do, I'd say start eating healthier foods and get out and exercise more. Your weight doesn't matter so much as being healthy, both for you and your future child.
