Post # 1
Member
26 posts
Newbee
Hi! Long time lurker, kinda new poster here. 🙂
My husband and I have been talking about TTC sometime this late spring. Because of our work schedules, it would work best if we were able to conceive during late spring/summer time period. Honestly, I don’t know how it’ll go; we could end up taking a year or two, or we could end up getting pregnant soon, but this was a timeline for us.
My current concern is my weight. I’m not at a super unhealthy weight or anything, but I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been, and I’m not too happy with myself right now. If I started exercising and eating right, it would take about a year or so for me to be at my old, ideal weight.
So, I guess the question is, should I wait a year to TTC? Or should I just go with it? I heard it’s not the easiest or healthiest to try to lose weight during pregnancy. Aside from just appearances, I don’t think it would be very good for my body to carry around the extra weight (baby and fat!).
Also, probably because it matters a little bit, I’m 32.
What did you do? What do you think?
Post # 2
Member
3470 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: July 2012 - The Gables Inn, Santa Rosa, CA
How much extra weight are we talking about?
Eating healthy and exercising ARE recommended while pregnant, so if you’re planning on a slow and steady weight loss, there’s no harm in it continuing during your early pregnancy. In fact, many overweight women often lose weight in their first trimester by making better food choices after becoming pregnant. I think most of the unhealthy risk comes from true “dieting” and things while pregnant, which is highly discouraged.
I am about 160 right now, and my ideal is 130-135. I’m working on eating healtheir and making better choices while TTC to help get myself as healthy as possible for when it does happen. But, we’re also on our first cycle with fertility meds, so in hindsight, I’m really glad I didn’t wait another year to start trying because I’m having difficulty. With any luck, by the time I’m in my second trimester, I’ll have hit my ideal and be back to gaining HEALTHY pregnancy weight.
Post # 3
Member
7308 posts
Busy Beekeeper
- Wedding: October 2011 - Bed & Breakfast
I would not let my weight get in the way of TTC if I were ready for a baby in every other way.
Post # 4
Member
137 posts
Blushing bee
I’m in the same boat as you. I’m not obese but i’m definitely out of my comfort zone. DH and I aren’t TTC until Sept but my weight is one thing that keeps me from moving that up. I would rather get pregnant while at my lower range so there’s room to go up. I can’t imagine getting pregnant now and then having another 20-30 lbs on top of what i am now.
I’m afraid if i wait though it’ll take us 1-2 years to get pregnant and then we’ll have waited for nothing
Post # 5
Member
26 posts
Newbee
It’s about 40-45 pounds extra weight. :/
@ShawnT That’s what I”m concerned about too!
Post # 6
Member
121 posts
Blushing bee
50 pounds isn’t that much – it’s still very manageable! Obviously I don’t know why you’re overweight but if it is because of eating too much, my recommendation would be to now focus on not exceeding your recommended daily calorie intake and all in all start to make healthier choices. The easiest way to do this is to start eating smaller portions. If you do this, it shouldn’t take too long for you to lose about 20 pounds which already makes a big difference and you could start to TTC later this year.
It’s good that you’re thinking about whether it’s smart for you to TTC right now because overweight mums are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (which increases your child’s risk of developing diabetes) and pre-eclampsia so it is definitely better for your baby if you do lose some weight (by no means does this mean that overweight women can’t have healthy babies though!). Larger women also often have larger babies which increases the chance of having a c-section.
Alternatively, just start to TTC BUT also start to eat healthier – your baby benefits of healthier nutrition and there’s no reason why you can’t lose weight while pregnant by cutting out junk food (if this is your case) and still eating healthily. Also exercising is fine while pregnant but unless you’re used to some sort of exercise before getting pregnant, just stick to light exercises and remember that it’s not good to ‘overheat’ during the first trimester.