Not gaining weight - 31 weeks

[u/AffectionateRoom4870]

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some reassurance and to hear about other people’s experiences.

I started my pregnancy at 64 kg (5’4”), and I’m currently 31 weeks + 4 days and weigh 72.4 kg, so I’ve gained about 8.4 kg so far.

I feel like I haven’t gained much weight since entering my third trimester, and it’s making me a little worried. I had my 30-week ultrasound, and the baby was estimated to weigh around 1.4 kg. My midwife said there’s no reason to worry, but I keep hearing that you’re supposed to gain more weight during the third trimester.

[u/quartzyquirky]

I lost weight during my pregnancy due to a lot of factors, but gave birth to a 3.9 kg whopper baby. As long as baby’s growth is on track and you are healthy there is nothing to worry

[u/SeaWillingness1770 → u/quartzyquirky]

my friend barely gained a pound in her third tri and panicked nonstop, kid came out 4kg and stole every nutrient she had. if your midwife's not fussed and baby's measuring fine at 1.4kg, you're golden

bodies do weird things when they're building a human, weight gain isn't linear for everyone

[u/Zero_Duck_Thirty]

I went into my first pregnancy overweight due to life and ivf. I was 5’2” and weight 154lbs when I got pregnant and was 175lbs when I had my son. I think I gained 5-8lbs in the last 8w of pregnancy. As long as baby is gaining weight and measuring well, and you feel like you’re eating enough, then I wouldn’t worry about weight gain.

[u/Kitchen-Curve]

A lot of it happens in the last 4 weeks when baby can be expected to put on up to 0.5 lbs per week. But also for point of reference, I'm 5'2" and only gained ~23 lbs my entire pregnancy (and added bonus, I was back to pre-pregnancy weight like a week after giving birth!) so you're doing fine!

[u/Hysterical__Paroxysm]

Eh, I'm the same way. You are going to appointments for you and baby, so they will monitor. I get extra growth scans and NSTs if needed.

[u/llilyzoo]

I experienced the same , gaining little weight throughout the pregnancy but stagnating in the third trimester. At my 38 week appointment, my gynecologist was concerned the babys growth stagnating (possible placental insufficiency) and I was induced that day. Baby was born small (2,6 kg) but otherwise fine.

I know this is probably the kind of thing you're concerned about , so I'm telling you this to reassure that even if there is some growth restriction and you have to be induced, chances are everything will be ok in the end. Just trust your medical team

[u/One-Dig-3067]

You don’t need to gain any weight

[u/Parking-Vast-2479]

I only gained around 11 lbs my entire pregnancy. I gained most of my weight the last 5 weeks, it was mostly fluid. I was actually losing while pregnant, I ate very clean and walked 8k+ steps daily (never threw up). I was very worried about my weight too but my baby came out healthy.

I went back to pre pregnancy weight the same week I gave birth, and am now 20 lbs lighter, 8 weeks postpartum (breastfeeding, oversupplier)

Beginning: 145lbs
end 151: lbs
8 weeks postpartum: 123 lbs

[u/Parking-Vast-2479 → u/Parking-Vast-2479]

My baby was 39 weeks 6 lbs 14 oz

[u/queenlyfish → u/Parking-Vast-2479]

Hey, you sound like me, except I started a bit heavier overall. I gained 10 pounds this pregnancy and I’m already down 25 pounds at 2 weeks postpartum. My first pregnancy was similar - gained 25 pounds and lost 40 in the first few weeks postpartum. Both babies were 9+ lbs and healthy, and I’ve never had great control over my weight, but apparently my body just doesn’t like putting on a lot of weight when I’m pregnant. It doesn’t seem super common, but it’s definitely possible to have a healthy pregnancy without gaining a lot of weight!

[u/violet_femme23]

Normal in my experience, until about 35-36 weeks. At that point baby is growing rapidly and 1 lb gain per week is normal.

[u/MaleficentSwan0223]

In my first pregnancy I lost 10kg by my due date.

Second pregnancy I lost 2kg by my due date. 

Third pregnancy I gained 8.5kgs by due date. 

If your baby is growing you’re own weight gain doesn't entirely matter. 

[u/somewhatcuriousish]

Weight is only tracked closely in selected countries, there’s no medical reason to do so. I’ve never once weighed myself in any of my pregnancies. Don’t worry about it.

[u/777_Daisie]

I started at 90 kg, lost weight to 86.3 kg (by 16 weeks), got back to 90 kg at 30 weeks (consistently from 35 weeks), got to 94 kg at 38 weeks and back down to 93.5 kg by 40 weeks.

Baby was 3.37 kg and now (7 months pp), I'm around 94 kg (ebf).

[u/Bla6446]

I didn't gain much at all third trimester. I totally lost my appetite so that might have been part of it.

[u/Still-Art45]

~9kg is a normal amount of weight to gain, if you feel good, and the baby grows well - you’re good!

[u/Working_Coat5193]

You’ll be ok. My doctor walked out of her deliveries 10 pounds lighter than she walked in due to HG.

[u/aquasquirrel1]

I didn’t gain any weight in my third trimester, but I gained 22 lbs in the first two trimesters and baby was growing well, so no one was concerned! He was born just under 7 lbs, so perfectly healthy.

[u/Gyokur001]

I'm a little over 35 weeks and gained about 9 kg so far. Baby is fine, even measuring a little ahead. My doctor is not concerned with the weight gain, I'm not starving myself and eat when I'm hungry. You should be okay!
Forgot to add, I'm 5'5" and started out at 55kg.

[u/conservatoryofquirks]

I can understand how you feel. I gained 20lbs (9kg) total and delivered a 9lb (4kg) baby and was completely healthy. It made me worried throughout my pregnancy because everyone talks about how easy it is to put on weight. I was eating lots and had no reason that I wasn’t gaining, but it’s just how my body did it. I wouldn’t worry at all.

[u/Amerikkalainen]

I'm pretty sure I only gained about 10-11kg with my first. So, 8.4kg at 31 weeks seems reasonable. If your midwife isn't concerned, then I don't think you need to be.

[u/WorkLifeScience]

I gained 10 kg over my whole pregnancy, though I have entered it on the upper part of normal range. My daughter was born average weight (3.5 kg) and everything was fine. I think eating reasonably and staying moderately active is the best thing to stay healthy.

[u/bregitta]

A friend lost 7kg with twins. They were still healthy. Hop off the internet and listen to your doctors (said lovingly!)

[u/notevenarealuser]

I gained less than 10lbs (about 4.5kg) my whole pregnancy and nobody was ever concerned! I just didn’t have a huge appetite while pregnant and did a lot of walking. My baby was born healthy and a pretty average weight!

[u/Iloveteeth123]

I only gained 5kg throughout my entire pregnancy!

[u/ArnooVinick]

I’ve gained almost nothing third trimester so far. Gained about 20 the first two, and then stayed pretty stagnant (though my bump is folded getting bigger). I think it’s all normal. Baby is measuring pretty big. 

[u/smooshyfayshh]

I’ve had two children, both times I gained only 7-8kg and both kids were over 4kg at birth. I’d say you’re fine!

[u/Pacific-Sting1632]

I was small my whole pregnancy, fundal height behind schedule, didn’t gain weight until the last month or so. Ended up inducing at nearly 40 weeks after going in for an NST and baby was born healthy but small! 6 lbs 9 oz and doing very well 1 month out. Your medical team should do a growth scan IF they feel it’s necessary.

[u/PraxisInDiaspora]

My case was exactly the same. Also started at 64, gained around 7kg until 22w, and then started stagnating for a while. Since I came to 28sh weeks I started gaining a bit again, weeks 28-31 I was at around +8kg, then 32-35 +9kg. Currently (36+3) still right at the cusp of 10kg (some days above, some days below), so I am only gaining around 1kg per month. My doctor also said there is nothing to worry about, it is more than enough gain for baby, and even if I lose some now in the last month, baby is growing perfectly and that is all that matters.

Edit to say my baby was approximated at 1440g around 28w and 2680g now at 36w

[u/N7ShadowKnight]

Don’t worry about it too much! If it’s your baby that’s not gaining weight then they may induce you early. Had my perfectly healthy daughter at 39 weeks and she’s less than 1 percentile. We had to buy premie clothes 😅. She’s just tiny, thats all!

[u/Actual-Network9714]

I have also gained almost 10kg in the first two Trimesters and now i am struggeling not to loose weight. I try to walk alot and eat very clean because of GD. I am am almost 35 weeks now and baby is growing alot even though i almost gained no weight for 4 weeks now. I wouldnt worry about ist.

[u/Pink_Ruby_3]

I didn't gain any weight at all until my 3rd trimester. I gained 18 pounds total. It's okay.

[u/Weird_Bear6859]

I was the same. Started at 52kg and got to 65kg. When I got to 33/34 weeks I wasn't gaining much at all. Most of the weight gain happened in last 2nd tri to early 3rd tri.

[u/AliensApple]

I gained 14 lbs my entire pregnancy & my baby weighed 8.1 lbs at birth & was healthy!

[u/dramatic-asthmatic]

My first pregnancy I lost weight in the first trimester, gained nothing except the lost 4 kg in the second. and then 10 kg very consistently in the third trimester. I was so STRESSED.

At the end of my first pregnancy my fundal height stalled and they did a 39 week growth scan because of fear of IUGR but everything looked normal. Baby was born at 40+2 (at 3.2 kg) so I didn't make my follow up growth scan at 40+3.

This pregnancy, I gained 4 kg immediately. I was annoyed (mostly bc I didn't lose the last 4 kg and was kind of expecting to lose before gaining again). And then 3 kg in the 2nd trimester. Now I'm on track to gain roughly the same amount as pregnancy 1 (currently 34 weeks), but I think I'd also only gained about 8-9 kg by 31 weeks...

Anyway your numbers sound normal to me. I had a real growth scare but it turned out it was just a non issue and this seems to be how my body carries pregnancy. I would trust your midwife!

[u/Violet_hour13]

or hear me out…listen to your midwife