Comment from Kelli
Time: August 8, 2008, 8:01 am

I think I gained about 35 – 40 lbs. and I went for walks with my husband. I tried to go to the gym a few times but that was just not fun and if it had gotten just a little bit hotter, I think I would have swam like crazy!

I tried to be really good about what I ate, and luckily my only craving was apples. I am going to try and not gain quite as much next time because it is harder than I thought to get it off. I never really denied myself anything…. SO that might have been the problem…. I threw up nonstop for 15 weeks that once I could eat again….. it all went DOWN HILL!!

I keep slacking on my fetus friday posts…. I might just EMAIL you all the tips!

Comment from Chatty Kelly
Time: August 8, 2008, 8:04 am

Just commenting here, not posting at my blog. I gained 25 lbs with each of my kids. (I’m 5’4, size 6 normally). I just walked, drank TONS of water, and ate normally. I tried to remember that everything I ate went right to baby, and that caused enough mommy guilt to make me eat right.

Mommy guilt?? Oh Roomie, you just wait. That is a blog for a whole other day. It is all consuming.

But when you get it right, oh the joy! Baby bliss. Enjoy this wonderful time in your life Roomie.

And give that Amy Beth a hug. She is “so fabulous!”

Comment from jenelle howe
Time: August 8, 2008, 8:21 am

(from my mama, who has had 4 kids)

First let me say congratulations. You are embarking on one of life’s greatest adventures. First to have this precious life growing inside of you and then to meet your baby face to face. WOW.
Some of the best advice you can get will come from the mistakes people made in their own journeys.
I wish I would have relaxed more. Its harder with consecutive kids but there are ways to build in peace of mind. Go for walks, take naps, go to YOGA, prayer, exercise, crying (one of my favorites).
Another big gift you can give yourself is the gift of HELPS.
Don’t think you have to have it all together. God places people in our lives for help. We were not created to be Islands. We were created to have fellowship with God and with each other. WE HAVE LIMITS. Don’t be afraid of this. Embrace it and then give THANKS for those God has placed in your life .
Also FORGIVE. Know that you are human and will make mistakes. You will draw from your past experiences both good and bad and those things will enter into your parenting.
If you have things from your past that hurt you, ask God to reveal them to you. FORGIVENESS is the core of healing. And a healed mommy is always better then a conflicted mommy.
In those moments when you will feel along… remember you are not. God knows all our secret hideouts and loves us enough to pull us out of the darkness. He will not leave you or forsake you. It took me many years to believe this.
Blessings to you all,
Denise Howe

Comment from Jeni
Time: August 8, 2008, 8:26 am

OK, I’m definitely an exception to the rule. I was very overweight when I got pregnant, and delivered my girlie weighing 50 pounds LESS than I did when I found out I was pregnant. I was miserably sick for my whole pregnancy, but my Girlie was a nice healthy 7 lb 9 oz.

Oh, and after I had her and stopped being sick? Found that 50 pounds again.

Comment from Marla Taviano
Time: August 8, 2008, 8:52 am

41 pounds, 38 pounds, 40 pounds.
No consistent exercise, not-so-healthy eating.
My babies were big, so I’m assuming I have an impressive pelvis.
Have a great weekend!!

p.s. Is Roomie tall or short? I’m 5’10″, so there was a place for my weight to go. My poor SIL is 5’0″. She weighed 98 pounds when she got pregnant and 157 when she delivered. YOWZERS!!

Comment from Jennifer M.
Time: August 8, 2008, 9:18 am

25 lbs. with Chandler
35 lbs. with Riley

I walked a lot while I was pregnant with Chandler. I was working at the mall and there were 2 other pregnant gals working in the store with me so we would walk together occasionally. That was the big thing… having someone to walk with me. I didn’t like to walk alone.
I was also working another part time job on the 3rd floor of the Walker building at Lee… you know what that climb is like!
That’s how I “stayed in shape” with Chandler.

With Riley, I was busy chasing Chandler so that was my only work out.

Both times I just ate when I was hungry. I would have dessert with a meal occasionally, but we didn’t buy extra “junk” so I wasn’t tempted by it.
I TRIED to eat healthy… salads, grilled chicken instead of fried, but in the end my “cravings” won out over my will power.

Good luck Roomie!

Comment from Kerri
Time: August 8, 2008, 9:22 am

I gained between 30 and 40 pounds with all mine. I ate healthy as long as I felt good. When I had morning sickness, I only wanted weird things, so if I wanted it and it was fattening (Taco Bell Nachos) I ate it anyway! I lost it with the first two. Now this third one is almost 2 and I am still trying to lose the weight. Ugh!

Here’s my post: http://backdoorvisits.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/fetus-friday-all-babies-need-one/

Comment from Linds
Time: August 8, 2008, 9:23 am

I gained between 35-40 lbs for both of my kiddos.
I started around 120 lbs. 5′ 4″

Our first was 8 lbs 4 oz, our 2nd 8lbs 9oz and I’m mighty proud of my non medicated births!

I definitely agree staying in shape is a huge factor in labor. Walking was great for me. It keeps you loose and helps your pelvis open up and the baby move into postition when the time for deliver gets closer (also great during labor). Also the cat stretch is great. If you’re on all fours on the flour and roll your lower back towards the ceiling and roll back down. This also helps the baby get into a good position and I found that it was great for my back pain.

As far as portion control. Eat the right things and you can have as much as you’re hungry for. As for the oreos, oh my were they a weakness for me, everything in moderation. And lots of water always helps to!!

Comment from Nate B
Time: August 8, 2008, 10:07 am

Any correlation between pelvis and elvis? Elvis did shake his pelvis alot. Makes you go hmmm…

I can’t add anything to this besides the fact that I know a few women who went walking a lot a week before their due date to try to go into labor…

Comment from Mandy
Time: August 8, 2008, 10:12 am

I found that water aerobics was the best excercise. Minimal impact. Made you forget you had that awkward belly. But be careful…getting out of the water after being in for awhile feels so weird. Extra heavy.

Here’s my Fetus Friday post. http://mandyconforth.blogspot.com/2008/08/fetus-friday-3.html

Comment from Cabana Maam
Time: August 8, 2008, 10:19 am

Ha ha ha! You two are so precious! Makes me wonder how much baby can fit in MY pelvis! I gained 30 lbs with a 7 lb baby who was born 3 weeks early.

I didn’t work out, but we live in a very pedestrian city so I do my fair share of walking. I felt that was enough, given that it was summer and I basically waddled down the sidewalk leaving a trail of sweat droplets.

During my pregnancy I developed a mean sweet tooth, so I tried to limit myself to one dessert item per day. I also drank a lot of water. Somewhere along the way I’ve heard someone say that sometimes you feel hungry when you are actually thirsty, so when cravings struck at strange times, I tried to drink water first. If I was still hungry after the water, then I ate.

Just in case Roomie ends up with a big baby, I’m praying she has a smooth, safe, and quick delivery. (I know a gal who gave birth in two pushes–maybe that will be Roomie!)

Comment from Amanda
Time: August 8, 2008, 10:27 am

I was right at 25 lbs. and it wasn’t that bad to get the weight off.

With the Dr. mentioning that it’s easier to give birth when you are in shape, I did want to at least warn you that my doc told me that most first time moms push for at least 2 hours. I’ve known 3 that didn’t push that long, and they truly are the exception. Just wanted to give (& roomie) a heads up.

My post is up!
http://themcknatts.vox.com/library/post/what-every-new-mom-should-know-part-2.html

Comment from Sherilyn
Time: August 8, 2008, 10:35 am

To stay in shape during pregnancy I walked everyday. I had a friend who was more motivated than I was who would come to the house everyday & make me walk w/ her…. so I guess you get the be the motivated one (if need be)!

It could be my lucky metabolism, but I find that if I just eat smaller meals (don’t keep eating just b/c something is delicious), I can eat what I want, but I have to stop as soon as I start feeling full b/c otherwise I get really bad heartburn.

I think most people start thinking they can eat a TON of food b/c they are eating for 2, but it doesn’t give license to stuff yourself every meal. One of the 2 is smaller than Snuggles & Cuddles, so it doesn’t need to eat very much (but it does like things like oreos & ice cream too)!

Comment from Amie C
Time: August 8, 2008, 10:42 am

I gained 40-45 pounds wtih my baby girl. And at my 6 wk appointment, I had lost all but maybe 10 pounds! I tried to keep my eating habits on the healthy side, but I craved hot fudge sauce. Roomie, BREASTFEED!! Not only is it best for the baby, it really does help you shed the weight faster, since your body has to use more calories to produce milk. BUT, if it is not a reality for you to do it, don’t beat yourself up about it.

We have a prenatal yoga class in my town that the hospital offers free. You can’t start until you are in your second trimester. I tried it, once. I’m not a very graceful person under normal circumstances, and trying to do yoga stretches, which I was not used to, when I was 6 months pregnant and already had a basketball belly did not go well. I think I will try it again with the next one though, and start as soon as I am allowed to. Several women have told me that it helps with labor a lot, and girls, I needed help with labor!

Comment from Mandy
Time: August 8, 2008, 11:16 am

Breastfeeding DOES help you lose the weight faster, but be careful!

Once you stop breastfeeding, you have to cut back on calorie intake as well. You can’t get away w/ 3000 calories a day anymore.

Comment from Bethany
Time: August 8, 2008, 1:45 pm

Oh my. I don’t that I’m the one to ask.

Like Jeni, I was overweight and actually lost weight with all of my pregnancies. I was TERRIBLY sick all the way through. I ate what I could keep down.

By my fourth, I was doing a lot of things to prepare myself for labor because I was planning a home birth. I got an exercise ball and spent a great deal of time on it (helps *during* labor too!). And I walked and hefted three other children. =)

Oh, and pelvis size-schmelvis size. My opinions on that point are often considered “radical” so I won’t say any more than that. =)

My post: http://beyondthismoment.blogspot.com/2008/08/fetus-fridays-babies-bounce.html

Comment from Michele
Time: August 8, 2008, 2:47 pm

I gained about 30 lbs. with my first, and I’m currently pregnant with my second. I’d rather not gain that much weight again, but I guess we’ll see. Walking is definitely easy and doesn’t require any equipment, which is perfect. I was teaching 1st grade during my 1st pregnancy and it was summer my 1st trimester, so I walked a LOT everyday, but after school started in the fall…….I never walked consistently after that again. So that was a downfall. I did get a pregnancy yoga video this time (it’s being shipped right now from the U.S.) to try. My girlfriend LOVED it, so I’m going to check it out. I have lower back issues and I figured yoga could help with that.

Eating…..that’s the hard part. Last time I REALLY craved anything spicy. This time, it’s salty. Just try to eat as healthy as you can, but an occasional “treat” definitely won’t hurt you.

Blessings!

Comment from Nate B
Time: August 8, 2008, 3:42 pm

Ok…here is my submission…

http://natebabcock.com/index.php?id=25

Serious stuff people, serious stuff.

Comment from stacie@hobbitdoor
Time: August 8, 2008, 6:15 pm

I’m doing ok on this weight thing I think. I started out heavier than I would have liked to but so far I think I have only gained baby weight. I am up about 14lbs and am 25 weeks pregnant. I try to walk every day I don’t work, walk a lot at work (I am a nurse) and try to eat a lot of vegetables! Stay as active as you can.

Comment from mandy
Time: August 8, 2008, 7:22 pm

Avoid gaseous foods. Gas is worse when you’re pregnant. Seriously.

Comment from Gayle
Time: August 8, 2008, 11:55 pm

Sorry I missed this week.

Apparently dukey isn’t confined to the labor room, so I had to post that today.

I’ll get mine up next week.

As for your question, I can’t discuss it. Just eat everything that sounds good to you in mass quantities. It’s ok. Seriously… In fact, I think I’ll come up there an help you.

Comment from Melody
Time: August 11, 2008, 10:27 pm

Here’s an offer from JCPenny that I thought roomie could use…

http://deallocker.com/blog/index.php/2008/08/06/free-maternity-and-newborn-portrait/