Have you ever lost weight during pregnancy? How did THAT pregnancy fair when compared to other's that you had? I only gained 15-20 pounds with my twins and they were by far my biggest babies (gestationally speaking: 35 weeks and almost six pounds).

So, I basically lost weight while pregnant with them, and they were my biggest babies. I think it's "funny" too that women who eat "less" while pregnant (usually thinner women) usually have chubbier/healthier babies then obese women who eat whatever they want ("eating for two-three-or more").

It seems like when we eat too much, our bodies don't know what to do with it, and it doesn't go to the baby, it goes to fat stores. When we eat less (more protein even) it goes straight to the baby, and not to us. I'm amazed at this, seeing it with my own pregnancies first hand.

I've been doing a lot of researching over the past few weeks about losing weight while pregnant and I'm shocked at what I've found. It seems to be the common new finding that it's actually healthier for an obese woman to lose weight while pregnant, than to gain the minimum 15-20 pounds. But it makes sense to *me*, having done the weight loss experiment with my twins pregnancy.

Anyways... all that to say... dieting during pregnancy is bad. Eating healthy (high protein eating) and exercising four to five times a week moderately and winding up losing weight, is considered healthy. It's highly advised that you maintain OB care, take vitamins and supplements, eat lots of vegetables and fruit while doing this.

I'm just amazed that I kept reading over and over that it isn't only *safe* to lose weight while pregnant (when obese/overweight) but advised. Interesting...........

Any thoughts???

No experiences with weight loss, BUT.... my pregnancy were I gained the least amount of weight was my biggest baby.

I gained around 20# with Micah and he was 9 pounds, 1 oz. I was eating lots of leafy green vegetables and other extremely healthy food. My MW was never worried, she said that it's not how many pounds you gain, it's what you gain them on, that counts.

I lost weight with my 2nd pg, about 10 lbs or so, but S was over a lb smaller than his older brother at birth. I certainly have plenty of fat stores and an adequate protein/fruit intake but that didn't seem to matter. This time I am gaining more that I'd like, so we'll see how big this baby is!

Yeah, I agree, Ruth. I really think when you're putting the right foods in, it doesn't matter how much you do or don't gain. I read that there are arguments that it is NOT safe to NOT gain weight or lose weight in pregnancy... but those arguments are NOT backed up by medical testing and such. Whereas, they *have* done medical/scientific testing on mother's pregnant and losing weight with healthy eating and exercise, to find that they had bigger, healthier babies... and were healthier themselves, and lost their "prenatal" weight easier. Interesting stuff, I tell ya.

yah, the whole saying "you're eating for two" is so false! When you're pregnant, you're only suppose to take in a extra 300 calories, that's like 4 extra chicken nuggets!
Now personally I've never stayed under 40# but at the same time I don't excersice. I think if one would eat healthy and excersice while pregnant then they would gain accordingly. My sister is overweight only gained 6 lbs with her last pregnancy. She just amazed me! and now she is on the road to eating healthier and excersiceing.

yah, the whole saying "you're eating for two" is so false! When you're pregnant, you're only suppose to take in a extra 300 calories, that's like 4 extra chicken nuggets!
Now personally I've never stayed under 40# but at the same time I don't excersice. I think if one would eat healthy and excersice while pregnant then they would gain accordingly. My sister is overweight only gained 6 lbs with her last pregnancy. She just amazed me! and now she is on the road to eating healthier and excersiceing.

Wow! Good for her, Esther! It's sooo hard to not gain in pregnancy. So far, I've not gained anything, but I've not lost either. Thanks for sharing that! :)

In a way, I find it strange that they say its 'healthy' to lose weight during pregnancy. Now, granted its been a long time since I was pregnant but from my understanding if you are overweight and you lose the weight during preg or breastfeeding isnt there some advice out there that says we store all kinds of toxins in fat cells and when we lose the fat, toxins are released that can be harmful to baby? I heard this a long time ago so I dont know if its hearsay or truth. At any rate, with my twins, I gained a LOT of weight they were both over 6 lbs, then 9 months after they were born I got preg with my son and bc of morning sickness I lost ALL that weight during pregnancy and he was almost 9lbs.

I lost about 7 lbs with my last and only gained a total of 17lbs. But he was the biggest babe too (8lb 12oz). Doctor knew I was still exercising and baby was healthy so she was never concerned. I also only really craved salads when pregnant with him too. Crunchy things were SOOOOO good! :)

In a way, I find it strange that they say its 'healthy' to lose weight during pregnancy. Now, granted its been a long time since I was pregnant but from my understanding if you are overweight and you lose the weight during preg or breastfeeding isnt there some advice out there that says we store all kinds of toxins in fat cells and when we lose the fat, toxins are released that can be harmful to baby? I heard this a long time ago so I dont know if its hearsay or truth. At any rate, with my twins, I gained a LOT of weight they were both over 6 lbs, then 9 months after they were born I got preg with my son and bc of morning sickness I lost ALL that weight during pregnancy and he was almost 9lbs.

I remember reading/hearing that as well, years ago. Now, though, all the research I'm finding says that it isn't true. Which... I mean, when I think about it... makes more sense. I was so sick with the twins, and in the beginning with Eliya and THIS babe... that I lost/am losing weight like crazy... and I'm actually NOT trying to lose weight, right now.

I try to eat, but just can't. I either "lose" it or just simply can't eat. The things I *do* get down are salads, veggies and proiteins. Healthy stuff. As with my previous pregnancies. I have two healthy twins, who were born with me losing weight (again, unintentionally) and then Eliya was my healthiest babe and was born with me losing weight. If there are, indeed, toxins that you release with fat... I would think we would have seen *some* kind of side effect with those three kiddos... with all the weight I lost during pregnancy.

From what I've read, that's whole "you release toxins when you lose weight and they will harm your baby" is all a myth... a "better safe than sorry" conjecture. I could see if you were malnurished and didn't eat well when you *did* eat... but simply eating healthy and exercising... I dunno... MHO is that it's not harmful... as we've seen from personal experience. ::shrugs::

I lost 6kg (Umm I think thats like 14lbs??) during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy due to nausea which made me not want to eat anything much. I then stayed that weight for another 8-12 weeks or so and didn't start putting on weight until about 20 weeks!! Now I have made up for it and am currently 2kg (4lbs) more than what I started with (eg I have gained 8kg (19lbs) total after losing 6kg (14lbs) at the start....

I don't think it has affected me very much although the parts of me that don't contain baby (eg legs, arms...) are slimmer and I like them more!! Guess thats partially where I lost the weight from!

I found a website a few months ago called babyfit.com where you can chat to dietitians and nutritionists etc. They seem to believe that if you were overweight to start with then losing a little isn't harmful. They recommend a good diet where bubby is getting all the right nutrients, and excercise. You are meant to gain something like 7-18kgs (don't know that in pounds) during a pregnancy, and they recommend that if you were already overweight to try to gain no more than 7-12 kgs.
I was somewhat overweight before I got pregnant this time, so I've upped my excercise and trying to be more sensible with my eating and so far I've only gained at the lower end of the scale. The obstetrician is happy, and so am I. I have gone down half a clothing size, so any weight I am gaining is all on my belly. Yahoo!

Right, it's not about being thin and losing weight while pregnant... I'm talking about women (like myself) who are medically considered "obese" and want to be VERY careful about weight gain during pregnancy. So far, I still haven't *tried* to lose weight... God has just set things up this pregnancy so that I *do* lose weight. I just can't seem to eat much... but am trying to eat proteins and whole grains (and veg) when I *do* eat.