Pregnant and a recovering bulimic

So tonight I sort of had a breakdown.  I feel like I want to hide.   I am a recovering bulimic/overexerciser who currently struggles with overeating.  Right now, I am blessed in that I am 12 weeks pregnant. I am so grateful for that, but I am in a state where I don't know if I am getting fatter becuase I am pregnant (it is early) or if its becuase all I can eat right now are carbs (my nauseau isn't allowing for much more).  I feel strong enough to not purge for the sake of the baby, but I am also making "plans" for my weight loss after the birth.  I remember hearing a friend once say that she never wanted to be pregnant becuase it would make her fat. I htought that that concept was ridiculous (pregnancy isn't fat, its a human being), and now look at me. I am up at all hours of the night, looking for support becuase I am desperate to not gain too much weight during these 9 months.  I was already slightly overweight and I just can't afford to hold onto any baby weight. Anyway, I am done venting for now. Thanks.

Go to your doctor to make sure you are eating healthy enough for your baby. A growing baby needs tons of calories and nutrients. Don't worry about gaining weight just worry about making sure the baby is healthy. You can worry about weight after the baby is born.

I wouldn't worry too much about the carbs.  I went through a few weeks where all I wanted was pizza.  I know that's not a healthy, balanced diet, but it was the only thing appealing to me, and I don't feel bad for all the pizza I ate.  Now I'm craving whole grains...kinda weird.  Also, I was very sick for two weeks when I was 7-8 weeks along, and I didn't eat anything.  Literally.  I was so worried about my baby, but I couldn't keep anything down.  I think that was worse than eating junk. 

I don't know how much you've gained so far, but has your doctor said anything about your weight gain?  Mine has (what I think are) rediculous expectations.  He only wants me to gain 20-25 pounds, and I gained 34 with my first one.  That's like a pound every two weeks.  Is that even realistic?  I'm staying on course, so far, so we'll see if I can actually do it. 

All of the articles and websites I have read suggest a weight gain of only 25 pounds; but everyone I talk to gains at least 30, some as much as 60. In addition, for people like me who started out a bit overweight (I was about 10-15 pounds over a healthy BMI), i have read that I should only gain 15-25 pounds. I hate the numbers game, but once I see the number, I am stuck to it.  I have gained 3-4 pounds and I am in my 12th week. I guess I am just most fearful that when my nausea subsides, I am just going to eat out of control and gain a ton of weight. Right now I feel in control, but I just don't know what I am about to embark upon. Thanks for the help.  My main concern is my baby, but I believe that being overweight and eating unhealthily will have an effect on my child.

I know what you mean.  I was looking at a chart my doctor gave me, and it said that a "hearty appetite" starts around the 5 month mark.  Great.  I'm almost there, and I've felt really good about my weight gain (2-3 pounds), but I'm like you.  I'm afraid I'm going to get super hungry and start eating everything in sight.  I hope that doesn't happen! 

But yes, everyone I ever talk to tells me how much they've gained.  One of my girlfriends gained 100 pounds!!!  My cousin's wife gained 70 with her last pregnancy.  It seems that everyone I've talked to has gained way more than the so-called acceptable ranges. 

Good luck!

The problem is people around you start telling go ahead you're eating for two.  You can just lose the weight after the baby is born.  But it isnt true!

An average baby weighs 7-9 pounds, the placenta around 2 pounds, amniotic fluid around 1-2 pounds, increased blood volume 1-2 pounds, increased size of uterus 1-2 pounds and breast increase around 1 pound.  Then doctors will give 10 pounds leeway. 

I myself have had 3 children.

With my first gained 26 pounds.  With 2nd gained 22 pounds and with last gained 24 pounds.  In my mums days the docs told her only 18 pounds.

But I wasnt big to begin with.  I only ate about an extra 300-500 calories a day, all of them healthy calories.

I did have really bad nausea(sp) with my first so I know what it is like.  I had cravings as well but for more iron rich foods though.

Im in the same boat as you are NVYSCR22, I have always had a body issue when i was figure skating so much, I havent eatin normal in 5 years and now im 8 weeks preganant. My husband and I are thrilled but im scared because im eating healthy and 3 meals a day like im suppose to but im packing on the weight, like 5 pounds already, it makes me really nervous. I know I should start working out and excersiing but the weight gain bugs me the most. Ive looked at all these websites and they all say 15-25lbs for me because im about 15 lbs overweight now but man i dont know if thats even a number that possible for me at the rate im going. I hope that we can support each other through this time. Have a good day 

I noticed no one has brought this up, but do you plan to breast feed? With my daughter I was already a bit overweight and gained a LOT of weight, all the way to 170 lbs with a small frame at 5'8". Breast feeding took off all the baby weight and then the weight that I had gained before I was pregnant. I had to stop when my daughter was 14 months because I was losing too much weight.

Your body needs a little extra if you plan to breastfeed. And trust me the weight will definitely come off. It's good for the baby, good for your bonding and good for you weight wise! :)

Also, if you are in control of what you are eating now, you shouldn't have any problems later on *keeps fingers crossed* If you do we're here to support you!

Thank you friends. I do plan to breastfeed and I have been watching what I have been eating so hopefully, all will work out ok. I appreciate all of the advice and support.

Even though I'm not bulimic, I'm feel like I'm in the same boat. I was a little overweight to begin with and I've already gained 12 pounds. I'm only 18 weeks along, so this worries me.

My doctor has been the opposite of the above posts. I was told that I'm right on track and from here on out they expect a pound/week gain. That scares me to death b/c it means I'll be 5'7" and 190 pounds!!! I started at 155 and I've never even approached the 200 mark before.

I know it's a baby in there, but I'm scared to death too. You're not the only one out there making diet plans. I think about it all the time. I hate having to eat so much and not being on my normal diet.

I think the odds are against me in trying not to hit the 200 mark, but I am going to work extremely hard to avoid it. Once again, I hate the numbers game, but once they are in my head, they seem to stick.   At this point, I do not have an increased appetite, and I would love for it to stay that way, but I am sure that won't be the case.  In the end, we all just have to remember that the end goal is a healthy baby. 

Zammy107, I am here to support. Sounds like we are in the same boat. I am twelve weeks along now and fighting to keep the numbers low.

It's good that you're planning to breastfeed because not only is it great for the baby, but it will help you lose the weight as well.  Breastfeeding exclusively burns around 500 calories a day, but just be careful not to over the limit on your calories because you will be insanely hungry all the time!

its true about breastfeeding, I could only breastfeed for 12 months before I had to stop but I lost all my pregnancy weight (35 pounds, 7 of which was baby) and more, to go below my pre pregnancy weight! (in conjunction with healthy eating and a lot of exersize mind you).

 I am now struggling to stay below it now i have stopped breastfeeding but I suspect my metabolism has slowed down and I will go back to my normal weight.  But really, dont worry about your weight when your pregnant.  its the ONE time in your life you dont have to.  I dont mean eat all you want, I mean eat healthy but expect that you are going to gain weight.  You are only meant to eat like an extra 200 calories a day so thats gone in a sneeze.  I guess what I meant is dont worry about your body when your pregnant.  just eat well.

Use this time to concentrate on your baby and take the focus off self indulgent obsessions that ED's breed.  you are going to give the gift of life to your baby, let your baby give you the gift of a free life. (cheesey but you know what i mean?!)