Keep Second Pregnancy Weight Gain Under Control

How to keep second pregnancy weight gain under control

If you’re worried about keeping second pregnancy weight gain under control, you’re not alone. It’s a concern of many moms who are pregnant again. Take a look at a few ways that you can help keep it under control, as well as the things you just can’t control.

Second Pregnancy Weight Gain: Accept the Baby Bump

Let’s start with the one thing you can’t change, because the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can move on. You can’t control how quickly you show. Most moms “pop out” way earlier in the second pregnancy than in the first. Like WAY earlier. I’m talking “hello, baby bump” at as early as 6 weeks.

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That baby belly is going to pop when it’s going to pop, so deal and move on, okay? Here’s the cool thing, though, about that baby belly: it alone does not cause weight gain. You may LOOK like a small house, but you don’t weigh as much as one! Good news, right? Basically, your first pregnancy wreaked irreparable havoc on your abdominal muscles and your uterus got a bit stretched out, both of which account for the earlier popping.

Related Post: Pregnant Again? Find Out What to Expect This Time Around!

 

What can you do to control second pregnancy weight gain?

Now that you know what you CAN’T control, let’s talk about what you CAN do to keep second pregnancy weight gain under control. Here’s the thing: chances are you’re too tired after caring for your first child to go out and run a marathon, or take that prenatal yoga class you took with little Susie One. Maybe you’re too frazzled to make a nice healthy salad, so you grab the nearest candy bar for a boost of energy. These things help contribute to excess second pregnancy weight gain. Instead, try these tips:

  • Back away from the candy bar! Keep a stash of healthy pregnancy snacks around the house, in the car, in your first child’s diaper bag, in the stroller, behind the toilet seat (kind of kidding, that’s gross). Basically, everywhere, not just in your kitchen pantry. As a mom, you know that we only have moments to eat at times, and those moments come in the oddest places. If you have tons of healthy snacks on hand, you’re less likely to grab a candy bar.
  • Turn playtime into workout time. Don’t have time to take a prenatal fitness class because you’re too busy watching Susie One at the park? Stop watching and start playing. Get off the park bench and swing on the swings for a good leg workout. Race your child to the bathrooms (two birds, one stone). Go for nature walks, play a low-impact game of tag. Just get up and play.
  • Get a good night sleep. Stop laughing! I know it’s way easier said than done, especially if your first child is still really young, but you have to at least try to get more than 5 hours of straight sleep. See, lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain because it messes with the hormones that control hunger. Enlist your spouse’s help, borrow grandma for a few night a week or hire a babysitter to come stay at night. Okay, that last one may not be practical for those on a budget. The point is, do what it takes to catch your zzzs.
  • Stop comparing your pregnancies. If you compare your first pregnancy to your second and set the same expectations, you’re going to get frustrated fast. Frustrating leads to apathy, apathy leads to over-eating. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Every pregnancy is different. Just because you ran a mile a day the first time around doesn’t mean you can this time.
  • Don’t give yourself a free pass either. While you have to accept that things are different this time around, that doesn’t mean you can throw up your hands, say “”whatever will be will be” and slack on good nutrition. If you get into the mindset that you can’t control second pregnancy weight gain, you’ll lose the battle before you even start.

Controlling second pregnancy weight game is a challenge. Sometimes we all need help with challenges. If you feel like you’re struggling, talk to a prenatal nutritionist. If you find that you’re rapidly gaining weight despite your best efforts, definitely talk to your doctor. Conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and others can contribute to second pregnancy weight gain.

How did you control second pregnancy weight gain? Tell us in the comments!

 

9 thoughts on “Keep Second Pregnancy Weight Gain Under Control”

  1. Here’s my extra challenge: weaning child #1 while pregnant.? I’m gaining early because those calories aren’t getting taken away anymore. At least I’m starting 10 lbs lighter than last time, but only because of the nursing.
    I have vowed to walk more during this pregnancy, because I didn’t walk enough in the last one.
    My big focus is a steady pace, even if it’s slow. Just walk. I’m taking the stairs at work too, instead of 7 flights on the elevator.
    I was lucky that I had such a small appetite last time that I only gained as much as I needed. I hit 17 near the end and jumped to about 23 in the last week or so.

  2. These are great tips. When you gain weight, you create new fat cells. Even after you loose the weight, the cells remain. So the second pregnancy brings easier, faster weight gain.

  3. As we go back and forth about having a second child “second baby” weight gain is somethin I’ve heard about – that it tends to be a little easier to gain and harder to lose with the second one.

  4. These are awesome tips for the second pregnancy to help weight control. It is true to not give yourself a pass just because you are pregnant on over eating and not exercising. Thanks for sharing.

  5. I got lucky with my second pregnancy. I lost 15 pounds in the beginning because I was never hungry. Plus, I had healthy cravings (ate salad a ton). I only gained the 15 back. My midwife was impressed.

    I gained too much with my daughter and I was scared to do the same with my subsequent pregnancies.

    I gained 30 with my youngest and lost it fairly quickly after I gave birth to him.

  6. I gained much less with my second than I did with my first, but it wasn’t easy! My body loves putting on weight when pregnant unfortunately!

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