Pregnancy can be a beautiful thing. You are growing a new life inside you that you carry for nine months. You feel the baby kick, move and literally see it grow over the course of nine months. Pregnancy however can be a challenging time for many women as they watch their bodies change in ways they weren’t expecting. Pregnancy weight gain is one big reason that moms begin to feel bad during this time.
Friends and Family don’t help
Everyone carries each pregnancy different and gains a varying amount of weight. While working yesterday I had a patient ask when my baby was due. When I told her, she looked shocked and said “really! Are you sure it is only one.” I wanted to slap her or make some snide comment back about pregnancy being my excuse and ask her what hers was.
Instead I bit my tongue, smiled politely and said “Yes, I’m sure there is only one.” Inside I was fuming and a little upset thinking that I was this grotesque beast who couldn’t control what I shoved in my mouth. I went home that evening irritated and upset and told my boyfriend what the woman had said. He quickly told me I was beautiful and that although I may feel giant I didn’t look that way at all. I felt better but it got me thinking about what the recommendations for a healthy or normal weight gain during pregnancy are. 
15 Weeks pregnant
Normal weight gain during pregnancy
Doctor’s provide guidelines about how much weight is “ideal” depending on how much you weigh prior to becoming pregnant. Not everyone fits in this perfect little chart that the doctor’s set forth and if the woman and her doctor have an open conversation about what is healthy for that person that should be acceptable. Most importantly all anyone wants in the end is a healthy baby and a healthy mom.
Currently I am 27 weeks pregnant and have gained about 15 pounds. This number is hard to share with others. I was slightly overweight prior to becoming pregnant and according to the chart I have already gained more then half of what I should.
Yes, sometimes I indulge in things that aren’t considered healthy but I try to balance out the poor diet choices with more healthier options. It seems that no matter how little or how much weight you gain, someone is going to judge your pregnant body and the health of your baby. Take for instance some of the mamas on Instagram that I follow who are athletes and barely look pregnant even at 9 months. They are shamed saying that they haven’t gained any weight and they are putting the health of their baby at risk. Then there are others who look bigger when they are pregnant and people make those comments about “must be more than one” or “lay off the cheeseburgers.”
Someone is always going to judge
This is my second pregnancy and I know that things can “pop” more with subsequent pregnancies. It is hard to share some of these photos knowing that people will potentially make comments or judge my growing belly but frankly, it really isn’t anyone’s damn business (except my doctor’s) how much weight I have or haven’t gained. My baby is healthy and weighing in at 2 pounds and 5 oz (66% percentile) so far and I can only hope that she continues to gain weight and I deliver a healthy, happy baby!
So make sure that you follow the normal weight gain during pregnancy but also speak with your doctor if you have any concerns. Remember too that your body is going to change no matter what and that you should focus less on the number on the scale and more on how you and baby are feeling overall.
People are so weird – it’s all about their perception, I swear! I had a lady several days ago comment about how small I was but then said, “Well, as long as the baby is healthy…” and trailed off like I was underweight. I assured her that my last baby was 8lbs10oz and I gained even less with her so this little one is fine. lol Then yesterday I was asked if it was one or two babies because I’m so big! You cannot win. I’m currently 35w4d along and I have gained about 34lbs. I tend to lose about 40lbs in the first six months postpartum so I”m not worried. 😉
Congrats on your new one on the way! People are absolutely weird and really should keep their comments to themselves. It is your body and I think that everyone grows their baby differently so people don’t have the right to insinuate if your too big or too small! In the end the only thing that matters is having a healthy baby! Thank you for your comment and good luck with this little one due soon!
Thank you!! Same to you! 🙂
And yes, a healthy baby is certainly the only thing that matters. <3