18 weeks and only gained 3 pounds

[Nadja86]

Should I be concerned? Start stuffing my face? Will I start to gain more in the second half?

I started out with a bmi in the upper limit of normal, by the way, but I haven't talked to my doctor about it yet, not sure how much she wants me to gain.

 

[biscuits104]

I wouldn't worry about it until someone tells you too - my favorite advice to give and receive. As long as you are eating a well rounded diet and not throwing up constantly I would say you are fine. I had only gained about that much around 17 weeks and now I'm up 10 pounds at 22 weeks...I think your body knows what to do and excessive weight gain is really not necessary. But do talk to your doctor at your next appt...she may ask what you are eating and make a few recommendations (like adding more dairy/fat/etc.)

 

[SummerMother]

Hello,

I started with a higher BMI as well (not hugely overweight) and I also only gained 3lbs by 18 weeks. I believe it's because we already had a bit of fat to start off with and if you were like me you started eating better that I didn't gain fast.

Let me tell you though that I have almost gained another 3lbs from 18 weeks to 22 weeks (22 weeks for me is this Monday). It seems like in the last couple weeks I have been hungrier than the previous 18 weeks. I am still eating healthy with my binge days just like I have done through the whole pregnancy. I remember reading some where that most of your weight gain doesn't happen until after 20 weeks which for me seems true.

Everyone's bodies kinda do there own things during pregnancy. As for the doctor not saying anything about your weight gain my findings is they usually don't start worrying until your last trimester unless you are gaining too much. As long as the baby is growing at a steady rate they won't say anything.

 

[Nadja86]

Hello,

I started with a higher BMI as well (not hugely overweight) and I also only gained 3lbs by 18 weeks. I believe it's because we already had a bit of fat to start off with and if you were like me you started eating better that I didn't gain fast.

Let me tell you though that I have almost gained another 3lbs from 18 weeks to 22 weeks (22 weeks for me is this Monday). It seems like in the last couple weeks I have been hungrier than the previous 18 weeks. I am still eating healthy with my binge days just like I have done through the whole pregnancy. I remember reading some where that most of your weight gain doesn't happen until after 20 weeks which for me seems true.

Everyone's bodies kinda do there own things during pregnancy. As for the doctor not saying anything about your weight gain my findings is they usually don't start worrying until your last trimester unless you are gaining too much. As long as the baby is growing at a steady rate they won't say anything.

That makes a lot of sense, thanks! If I can get away with not gaining too much, I'll be happy!

 

[AndreZZ]

Don't think it's a big deal...I have a low bmi and 21 weeks today and have so far only gaied 5 pounds (the nausea has killed my appetite). Doctors isn't concerned as baby is on track.

 

[Unexpected212]

I'm nearly 23 weeks and STILL four pounds lighter than I was before i got pregnant. I've usually put on at least 9/8 pounds by now but I had really bad morning sickness. I'm eating enough and baby is measuring fine so I try not to worry.

 

[Penguin20]

Try not to worry to much as longs your doctor/midwife not worried then you shouldn't be,
I didn't gain much through my pregnancy till the last 3 week then suddenly all the pounds came piling on and my bump got so much bigger

 

[Ganton]

At 18 weeks, I'd gained 1lb. At 28 weeks, I'm now up 19lb. I'm trying really hard to bring it back under control now as I can't keep going at that rate.

 

[Gem1302]

I'm 28 weeks, 1lb up! With my son, I'd gained about 20 by this point. Other than bad sickness/HG and starting out a little bit chubbier this time not much is different. My midwife isn't worried, I'm actually measuring 30 weeks! Although everyone says I look small lol. If you're eating fine and not being sick loads and baby's measuring fine, don't worry about the numbers in the scales everyone and every pregnancy is different!

 

[Nadja86]

Thanks everyone!

 

[SCgirl]

I had a high bmi (sigh), and I'm down 13lbs at 16.5 weeks... definitely not trying to lose weight, but doctors haven't said anything about it. I'm still eating- I think part of it was caused by quitting a medication when I got pregnant!

 

[Tesh23]

Nothing To worry about as long as u are getting adequate nutrition as the other ladies have mentioned.

By 18 Weeks I was up 5lbs. From 18-24 Weeks I have gained 10lbs more so I am at 15lbs up at the moment... Many do tend To pack it on in late second tri as Baby is starting To gain weight quite rapidly too. But main thing is as long as Baby is healthy and growing I wouldn't worry about how much u don't gain. I would honestly be more concerned if I were gaining weight at a rapid rate and not gradually.

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

Wouldn't worry about it =) I'm up 4lb at 19 weeks.

 

[Lues]

Nothing to worry about at all.

I had gained about the same at 18 weeks. In the two weeks following that I gained about 5 pounds and my bump grew exponentially.

I think for some people it's a slow, constant gain and for others it can happen in spurts.

As long as you're eating good and not TRYING to lose (or not gain), then you're good!

 

[wannabemomy37]

I'm just gonna agree with everyone else that I also followed a pattern of only 3-4lb gain by 18 weeks, then suddenly am now up like 12lbs lol so it definitely catches up with you I think. I haven't changed my diet at all, in fact I had hypermesis till 16 weeks and still take Diclegis now.
I just think our bodies will do what they need to to support your growing baby. As long as you aren't literally "eating for 2" or going to McDonald's every day I think you'll be fine.

 

[marycotter567]

I wouldn't worry at all - you're only 4 months along. Some women actually lose weight in the first few months due to nausea and food aversion. I am in my 6th week and don't have much of an appetite, most food makes me sick to my stomach - I lost like 2lbs and I'm already fairly skinny. But I know from experience not to worry because with my first pregnancy I gained very little weight and most of it was put on in the last 2-3 months (appetite definitely came back with a vengeance then!). My baby was healthy and of normal weight/height.