So you’re pregnant and finally got the green light to start eating what you want. Cheers! But now that you’re over the worst of the morning sickness, you find yourself struggling with a major weight loss problem. Or maybe you even feel like you put on a lot of weight since becoming pregnant. Either way, you’re not happy with your bod. Now what?
How much weight can you lose in pregnancy? It’s a common question — and a tough one to answer. There are a lot of variables to consider, like your health condition and how committed you are to staying fit, and it’s not like you can run around the mall trying on bathing suit styles.
The First Trimester: Gain Or Lose?
The first trimester is a time when you’ll see significant weight gain or loss. Your calorie needs increase as your baby grows and develops, and it’s up to you to provide the most nutritious diet possible. However, this also means you’re at risk for nutrient deficiencies if you don’t eat the right foods. Talk to your doctor about what supplements might be helpful for you during the first trimester.
If you’re experiencing weight loss in the first trimester, it could be something as simple as morning sickness. Most women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, and it’s not uncommon for women to lose up to 10% of their body weight during this time. If you’re experiencing extreme morning sickness, it could be a vitamin or nutritional deficiency. Talk to your doctor about whether or not there’s a specific reason for your weight loss and what, if anything, your doctor might recommend to help you get back on track.
The Second Trimester: Weight Gain Or Loss?
In the second trimester, you’ll see your body undergo a massive transformation. Your baby’s body grows and changes, getting longer and thicker. As a result, your weight gain slows down, but you’ll still need to provide your baby with ample nutrients to grow healthy and strong. If you notice, most women who’ve been pregnant report that their weight remains the same or even drops during the second trimester. It’s difficult to gain weight while caring for a newborn, and it can be even more challenging to keep it off once you’ve had your baby. If you’re worried about your weight after giving birth, don’t. Most women report that they’re within 10 pounds of their pre-pregnancy weight within a year after giving birth. Once you get over the baby weight blues, you’ll be able to enjoy your body the way it was before you got pregnant.
The Third Trimester: Weight Loss Or Gain?
In the final trimester, your body is working hard to feed and provide nutrients to your developing baby. During this time, you might notice a weight loss, but it’s more likely to be a gain. Your baby’s weight can increase by up to 15 pounds in the last trimester, and it’s normal for your body to struggle with storing away unnecessary water. Whatever the case may be, your baby’s health is your top priority, and it’s important that you remain nourished during this time.
If you’re concerned about your weight gain, there are certainly ways to lose it. You can consume less food by opting for lighter meals and snacks, you can workout to shed off those last few pounds, and you can ask your doctor for dietary and nutritional supplements to help you meet your goal weight.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remain realistic about your expectations. It’s normal for your body to undergo changes during pregnancy, and it’s common for women to lose and then regain weight. If you’re not used to being heavy, you might have a difficult time adjusting to your new, pre-pregnancy body once you’ve had your baby. But that doesn’t mean you need to beat yourself up about it. Just remember to be patient and allow your body to heal.
The bottom line is this: there’s no exact science to determine how much weight a woman will gain or lose during pregnancy. Your calorie needs increase as your baby grows, and it’s up to you to provide the most nutritious diet possible. Talk to your doctor about what supplements might be helpful for you during the first trimester, and remember to relax and enjoy this time with your baby. You’re doing your body good, and you’re certainly doing your baby good.