Pregnancy: Second Trimester Community

I am being very strict with myself this pregnancy. Not that I went crazy with the last one, but I definitely want to eat healthy, exercise and be as fit as possible without hurting the baby.

Do your research. A woman who is at an appropriate/healthy weight pre-pregnancy should gain between 25-35 lbs during the entire pregnancy, a woman who is overweight should gain 15-25 and a woman who is obese should gain no more than 15.

During pregnancy, you only need an additional 300 calories per day. To give you an idea, 1 tbsp of peanut butter is 100 calories. And that is assuming you are not overeating to begin with.

Find out what kind of excerises you can still do while pregnant and keep in shape. Take your vitamins and drink plenty of water.

You have to understand, your baby is going to take what it needs from you and you are going to get whats left. So that means, if you aren't eating right, your baby is gonna take all the vitamins and minerals it needs and you are going to be left feeing run down - you are the one that is going to suffer, not the baby. So, you need to eat right and be healthy so that you can function on a daily basis.

There is no reason you can't eat right (not starving yourself!), stay fit and have a healthy pregnancy. You are gonna be fine momma!

Stephanie is correct in putting those numbers up there on how much a woman SHOULD gain. If you started your pregnancy at a healthy weight, you SHOULD gain weight, about 25-35 lbs.

Personally, I started my pregnancy already obese (according to BMI charts) so my doctor advised me to gain no more than 15, and ideally, only 10. I have not increased the amount of food I've been eating, just making healthier choices, and it seems to be working.

Although your baby will take what it needs from you, it can't take what it needs if you're not giving it anything. Make good choices on what you do eat: whole grains, high fiber, lots of water and fresh fruits and vegetables.

I also found this table helpful to see that the weight I'm gaining isn't just "fat."

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/healthy-weight-gain

Baby: 8 lbs
Placenta: 2-3 lbs
Amniotic fluid: 2-3 lbs
Breast tissue: 2-3 lbs
Blood supply: 4 lbs
Fat stores for delivery & breastfeeding: 5-9 lbs
Uterus increase: 2-5 lbs

A woman's body does something amazing and wonderful by growing a baby. You have to see it that way, and not just "I'm getting so fat." Yes, you're gaining weight. You're growing another HUMAN, and that takes time, food, and love. Try to focus on the fact that being pregnant is not a right or an obligation, it's a choice and a privilege, and even though it might seem like it lasts forever, it's really just a blip on your lifetime radar. You want to give your baby the best start possible, and that means taking good care of yourself. ((BIG HUGS)) Try not to let the numbers get to you, just make good choices and stay active, and you'll come out OK

One thing to remember is that breastfeeding can help you lose a lot of the baby weight that you gain. It's not only good for baby, but good for you too in many ways.

If your hubby really loves you then he will love you no matter how much weight you gain. Just because your first child's father was a jerk doesn't mean that every man is going to treat you the same way. Talk to your hubby about your fears. If he loves you then he will listen to you and not judge you. You seem to have a wonderful husband so I don't think you really need to worry about what he thinks of you.

I know a lot of women who have fears of gaining a lot of weight while pregnant, unfortunately some weight gain in necessary and you shouldn't worry. After baby is born just continue to eat healthy and exercise and you should be able to lose most if not all of the baby weight.

Talk to your doctor, he/she maybe able to help you to know what you should and shouldn't eat so you stay a healthy weight. As jedmonds12 said eat whole grains, fresh fruit, lots of fiber and drink lots of water. Just eat healthy and exercise and you should do great!