Pregnancy weight gain: Know the factors

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With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

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February 28, 2008 3:07 p.m.

Pregnancy weight gain: Know the factors

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By Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

I want to thank everyone for the response to this blog. It is wonderful that we can start a community and women can find support and information. If you have a specific question you may be able to find the answer on this site. I look forward to everyone's company on their pregnancy journey.

A prenatal visit can be a joyful experience. You get to hear the baby's heart beat. You are reassured about your baby's well-being and your own health. The visit is an opportunity to ask the questions that you forgot to ask the last visit as well as all the new ones you've thought of since then.

One specific part of the prenatal visit that is dreaded by many women is getting on the scale. Have you ever noticed that the scale at the office never weighs the same as the one at home? As we step on we wonder if the scale is going to tell on us about our dietary indiscretions.

Why do we care so much about pregnancy weight gain? The research on this subject is pretty clear. The incidence of pregnancy complications is higher in the upper and lower extremes of weight gain. Generally your health care provider will give you an idea of the amount of weight gain that is optimum for you and your baby.

So, what do you do the month you get on the scale and you find you gained 8 pounds? First, forgive yourself. Secondly, remember that the 8 pounds is history now. Look at the past weeks and see if you can pinpoint any major contributing factors to your pregnancy weight gain. Once you recognize possible causes you can find ways to deal with them.

If you find you are having real problems getting a handle on your pregnancy weight gain, see if there is a nutritionist or dietitian available for you to talk to about the problem. Enjoy your food. Your weight gain is one part of your pregnancy. Don't let the scale ruin your joy and enjoyment of this pregnancy.

There are women on the other side of the needle of the scale. You get on the scale thinking you'll have gained at least 3 pounds and instead you lost a pound or gained 1/2 a pound. My advice is the same. What can you learn from it looking back on your eating habits? Sometimes just changing to a healthier diet can cause a loss.