Since I am one the of lucky ones who are getting to plan their pregnancy, I am quite concerned with:
- Getting my body in shape so the last months of pregnancy aren’t so painful, and I can better get through labor
- Getting my body into shape so I can bounce back once the baby has been born
How do I do that best? How much should I eat? How much weight should I gain?
Lets start with the last bit first, how much weight should I gain? (all from americanpregnancy.org)
- 7 1/2pounds is about how much the baby will weigh by the end of pregnancy (my husband was 10lbs, I was 6, so I am crossing my fingers the baby will be more like me)
- 1 1/2pounds is how much the placenta weighs.
- 4 pounds is attributed to increased fluid volume.
- 2 pounds is the weight of the uterus.
- 2 pounds is the weight of breast tissue. (YES! Looking forward to this part!)
- 4 pounds is because of increased blood volume (now that is a lot of blood)
- 7 pounds is attributed to maternal stores of fat, protein and other nutrients.
- 2 pounds for the amniotic fluid.
Total: 30 pounds
So when is that supposed to happen?
- First trimester: 3-5 pounds (that is nothing! that is what I gain when I have my period)
- Second trimester: 1-2 pounds per week (13 lbs to 26 lbs)
- Third trimester: 1-2 pounds per week (13 lbs to 26 lbs)
Now, I have seen pregnant friends that when pregnant, tell themselves to go on a free for all and they just eat anything and everything. According to the sources I have found.
- First trimester: you don’t need to change anything!
- Second and Third trimester: an extra 300 calories a day
300 calories a day, that is NOTHING! That is two big spoonfuls of Haagen Dazs. Crap now that just is so lame. That is like . . .. ONE slice of bread with cheese on it, or peanut butter. Some more examples of the pregnancy smorgasbord I can partake in:
- 1 cup of non-fat fruit yogurt and a medium apple
- 1 piece of whole wheat toast spread with 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 cup of beef and bean chili sprinkled with 1/2 ounce cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of raisin bran cereal with 1/2 cup of non-fat milk and a small banana
- 3 ounces roasted lean ham or chicken breast and 1/2 cup sweet potatoes
- 1 flour tortilla (7-inch), 1/2 cup re-fried beans, 1/2 cup cooked broccoli, and 1/2 cup cooked red pepper.
.. Going to think about the exercise plan tomorrow instead. This depressed me too much. Enjoy the pregnancy time-lapse!
1 Comment
May 22, 2008 at 3:36 am
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