Questions

[LovesEnduringPromise]

Okay, Im not pregnant....not any time soon am I planning to be either....
But around 22 yrs old I plan to be, which is another year away..around 2009..and I just have questions about pregnancy....
I am on birth control, and plan to be until we start wanting to try and conceive...how long should I stop birth control before trying to conceive? Does taking birth control have any effect on how fast I can become pregnant?
I know everyones body is different...but please answer as best as you can in generalization..
I also have an eating disorder, been suffering from one for 7 years...I was wondering would that have any effect on conceiving?...I am trying to recover though...BUT if perhaps if I do get pregnant and am FULLY recovered could there still be links that this might harm my chances of getting pregnant?
What things should I be doing now in order to be able to conceive and what vitamins should I be stocking up on?
How much weight do you gain during pregnancy? I am 5'4 and weigh 97 lbs...could that be dangerous to get pregnant at that low of a weight?
How long does it take to get the weight off after pregnancy?
What are bad foods to stay away from in pregnancy and before pregnancy?
Can you still exercise during pregnancy?
Gosh..Im sorry for all the questions.. ..but pregnancy makes me nervous and I just have to ask all these things...because I want t ensure I get my health in check before I hold another life inside of me.
What are the chances and what helps to create death of an infant during the pregnancy or your own death during delivery?
Thanks again

 

[llghoney]

I would strongly suggest you gettting your body ready. You have to take care of you first before you bring a child into this world. Don't feel like you have to rush to get pregnant. Once you have children you ahve them for life! As far as teh BC I can't help ya there I have never been on it so I don't know. AnNd yes you can still exercise while pregnant your doc will tell ya what's best.

Hope this helps!

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

I would strongly suggest you gettting your body ready. You have to take care of you first before you bring a child into this world. Don't feel like you have to rush to get pregnant. Once you have children you ahve them for life! As far as teh BC I can't help ya there I have never been on it so I don't know. AnNd yes you can still exercise while pregnant your doc will tell ya what's best.

Hope this helps!

Thank you

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

lots of q's!!

I'll try some of them...

firstly about the eating disorder, I would try to get as stable as you can before getting pg. The hormones and weight gain and body changes and tiredness of being pregnant can trigger a relapse - which is very dangerous, a friend relapsed and her unborn child is very small for dates. Also I would get checked over by the doctor because you may be low in vital nutrients, which if they don't hurt the bubs it may leave you feeling much worse. I'm pretty sure (not gospel though) that if you're recovered for quite a while it shouldn't hurt your chances too much (depending on how severe it got too...)

Birth control has no generalizations. I have heard that when you stop BC pills that some people are super fertile that first month. That wasn't the case for me, they stuffed my hormones a lot.
I would get a pregnancy multi-vit, and try to be generally healthy (cut down smoking, drinking etc.)
Average weight gain is around 25lbs broken down like this:
• At birth, your baby will weigh approximately 3,300g (7.3lb).

• During pregnancy, the muscle layer of your womb (uterus) grows dramatically and weighs an extra 900g (2lb).

• The placenta (afterbirth), which keeps your baby nourished, weighs 600g (1.3lb).

• Your breasts weigh an extra 400g (0.9lb).

• Your blood volume increases and weighs an extra 1,200g (2.6lb)
• You have extra fluid in your body, and amniotic fluid around the baby, weighing 2,600g (5.7lb).

• Plus, you will lay down some fat during your pregnancy to provide you with extra energy for breastfeeding. This comes to about 2,500g (5.5lb).

You should still exercise whilst pg, but always at your docs advice. And more gentle for your joint/ligaments. Walking is usually suggested.

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

lots of q's!!

I'll try some of them...

firstly about the eating disorder, I would try to get as stable as you can before getting pg. The hormones and weight gain and body changes and tiredness of being pregnant can trigger a relapse - which is very dangerous, a friend relapsed and her unborn child is very small for dates. Also I would get checked over by the doctor because you may be low in vital nutrients, which if they don't hurt the bubs it may leave you feeling much worse. I'm pretty sure (not gospel though) that if you're recovered for quite a while it shouldn't hurt your chances too much (depending on how severe it got too...)

Birth control has no generalizations. I have heard that when you stop BC pills that some people are super fertile that first month. That wasn't the case for me, they stuffed my hormones a lot.
I would get a pregnancy multi-vit, and try to be generally healthy (cut down smoking, drinking etc.)
Average weight gain is around 25lbs broken down like this:
• At birth, your baby will weigh approximately 3,300g (7.3lb).

• During pregnancy, the muscle layer of your womb (uterus) grows dramatically and weighs an extra 900g (2lb).

• The placenta (afterbirth), which keeps your baby nourished, weighs 600g (1.3lb).

• Your breasts weigh an extra 400g (0.9lb).

• Your blood volume increases and weighs an extra 1,200g (2.6lb)
• You have extra fluid in your body, and amniotic fluid around the baby, weighing 2,600g (5.7lb).

• Plus, you will lay down some fat during your pregnancy to provide you with extra energy for breastfeeding. This comes to about 2,500g (5.5lb).

You should still exercise whilst pg, but always at your docs advice. And more gentle for your joint/ligaments. Walking is usually suggested.

Thanks!!
Very helpful!!!!
How long did it take you to lose the baby weight?

 

[jgonz]

It takes different women different amounts of time to lose their baby weight. Some women's bodies will hang on to the extra weight to help make a plentiful milk supply. Other women lose all of it really quickly (and still breastfeed with no problems). It's very individual...

However you can (gently) exercise all the way through your pregnancy and continue after your doctor/caregiver gives the ok after the baby is born (your body needs some time to heal). Walking is also very good for after the baby comes. Some moms wear the baby in a sling while they walk, while others prefer to push the baby in a stroller. Others leave the baby with Dad for an hour & go to the gym.

HTH~

 

[RN4CHRIST]

A general rule of thumb is that it takes 9 months to put on the weight, so 9 months to take it off. That being said, different people lose weight differently. There are a lot of variables. Breastfeeding speeds up weight loss in some people. I breast fed and it took me about 5 months to lose most of my baby weight(I put on A LOT of weight though, so I kept some, but thankfully not much) Also, During pregnancy and if you consider breastfeeding(which is getting way ahead but I will digress) You must eat a well balanced diet. The baby will take what it needs, but if you go in with a deficit of nutrients then the baby has no where to take it from and both of you will be at a severe disadvantage. Make sure you are taking Folic Acid and a prenatal vitamin when you start(some prenatals do contain enough Folic Acid, some do not, so check the label)I will be in prayer for you!

 

[Leanna]

I'll give it to you straight, so you're prepared. Your body will never be the same after a baby. It may be better in some ways and it may be worse in some ways. But one thing is for sure, even at your pre-pregnancy weight you will have a mother's body. There are different things that change in your girl part's and breasts and hips. I lost my weight but I never fit into those pants because now I have hips! You should be prepared for your body to be different after bringing life into this world. If you are not ready there is nothing wrong with waiting a few more years!

Most people seem to have no more than one wonky cycle after getting off the pill and some get pregnant the first month so I'd just get off the pill the month that you are ready. Some birth control does effect fertility but I seem to remember you were on the pill. Other BC like Depo it can take up to a year to have fertility return.

About weight-- what weight is your body naturally and healthily at? That is the weight you want to achieve. Some women at too low of a body weight will not ovulate (therefore can't get pregnant). I am a very small woman but this is what my body is meant to be like and so things are fine. You need to be at peace that your body will gain weight when pregnant... maybe more than you prefer. You have to listen to the wisdom of your body. You may have to keep that weight through breastfeeding. You have to eat way more while breastfeeding than while pregnant to keep the weight on. On average women gain 25-45 pounds during pregnancy.

The important vitamin for preventing birth defects is folic acid.

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

I'll give it to you straight, so you're prepared. Your body will never be the same after a baby. It may be better in some ways and it may be worse in some ways. But one thing is for sure, even at your pre-pregnancy weight you will have a mother's body. There are different things that change in your girl part's and breasts and hips. I lost my weight but I never fit into those pants because now I have hips! You should be prepared for your body to be different after bringing life into this world. If you are not ready there is nothing wrong with waiting a few more years!

Most people seem to have no more than one wonky cycle after getting off the pill and some get pregnant the first month so I'd just get off the pill the month that you are ready. Some birth control does effect fertility but I seem to remember you were on the pill. Other BC like Depo it can take up to a year to have fertility return.

About weight-- what weight is your body naturally and healthily at? That is the weight you want to achieve. Some women at too low of a body weight will not ovulate (therefore can't get pregnant). I am a very small woman but this is what my body is meant to be like and so things are fine. You need to be at peace that your body will gain weight when pregnant... maybe more than you prefer. You have to listen to the wisdom of your body. You may have to keep that weight through breastfeeding. You have to eat way more while breastfeeding than while pregnant to keep the weight on. On average women gain 25-45 pounds during pregnancy.

The important vitamin for preventing birth defects is folic acid.

Thanks soo much. My body weight is now around 96-97 lbs....thats not natural....naturally I get go around 110..because in recovery when I reached that weight I stopped gaining...thats what my body is meant to hold...and can maintain that...or did before I ever had an eating disorder...
Its just scary to think that my body will change so drastically...Im praying to God that it doesnt...that I can be cut some slack...because weight gain is triggering for me....
BUT however I do plan on waiting 1-2 more years to have a child....and until then Im going to be working on my recovery from my eating disorder...and try and get healthy....try...and I pray I do.
Also I already have period problems before I got on the pill....its why I was put on the pill...well because I didnt have my period. I was diagnosed with amenorrhea...and before I got on the pill I wasnt having my period for about a year and a half straight.....so I feel like I will probably have troubel conceiving anyways...and already the damage done to my body through this self-destruction....I just want to be healthy when Im ready for a baby....not only physically...but I know mentally its important too.

 

[Hadassah]

Definitely sit down and have a nice long talk with your GYN and primary care physician about your concerns.

I do have a friend that's been on BC for a long time, and only came off this year when she was legally married to her DH in May. They've been TTC ever since, and no luck just yet... we've been praying for them and sending "Baby vibes" their way, but she just hasn't regulated yet.

My body has changed some, and in other ways it really hasn't changed a lot yet. (heavier bust and bigger belly, but really you couldn't see much of a change otherwise with how I'm built).

I've gotten different answers on the weight gain... in the US/Canada/UK you tend to get a different answer than here in Germany.

The OB/GYN here that I see has said he wants to watch what I eat and how baby develops as well as my weight gain and will tell me if I gain too much. He's reccommended walking, bike riding and low-impact aerobics (water type, treadmill/ski machine) and things like dancing are ok for now... but anything that I could fall or be 'impacted' by something, he doesn't want me to do (animal related riding, high impact sports)... and lifting is ok for now within my normal limit. He said he'd let me know when I need to 'slow down' more... and otherwise my body will tell me.

Babyfit.com I found is an ok resource, and otherwise I read up on what I can where I can.

I haven't gained a lot of weight yet, I think rather I have slimmed up and what weight I have 'gained' has been masked by the baby.

Due to my tendency towards having an eating disorder, I do not weigh myself outside of the dr's office and the occasional trip upstairs to the scale at my inlaws (maybe once a month). I lost weight prior to getting pregnant, then was sick for a month, so I'm back where I was when I got married right now - hanging around 175-180.

The Ideal weight for my height and build is around 170/175.

There isn't a one size-fits all reccommendation as far as weight gain goes either. (One reference: Mayo Health Clinic)

Mayo Health Clinic says:

In the first trimester, most women don't need to gain much weight — which is good news if you're struggling with morning sickness.
If you start out at a healthy weight, you need to gain only a few pounds in the first few months of pregnancy. You can do this with an extra 150 to 200 calories a day, about the amount in 12 ounces of calcium-fortified orange juice or a serving of low-fat yogurt. A normal appetite will typically provide these calories.
Steady weight gain is more important in the second and third trimesters — especially if you start out at a healthy weight or you're underweight. This often means 3 to 4 pounds a month until delivery. An extra 300 calories a day might be enough to help you meet this goal. If you began your pregnancy underweight, your health care provider may suggest boosting your caloric intake more.

My OB/GYN said with what I am eating and how often, so far so good... I asked as some resources were saying I need to intake as much as 3,000 calories a day, and I hardly intake 2,000 on a good day (we don't eat many processed foods and I am not that active) - what did I need to do... and his reccommendation was much the same as the Mayo Health Clinic and other such resources.

I'm taking magnesium and folic acid suppliments, otherwise I eat what I feel a craving towards in moderation, and loads of veggies and fruit. (crazy amounts too!) Water intake is really the biggest concern. One needs to get at least 2-3 liters in a day. One more liter to whatever you normally drink, as it is important to maintain the amniotic fluid around baby.

But seriously, your PCP and your OB/GYN will be the ones who should better know your body, can do a full blood workup and exam and tell you where to start once you are ready to try and conceive.

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

Definitely sit down and have a nice long talk with your GYN and primary care physician about your concerns.

I do have a friend that's been on BC for a long time, and only came off this year when she was legally married to her DH in May. They've been TTC ever since, and no luck just yet... we've been praying for them and sending "Baby vibes" their way, but she just hasn't regulated yet.

My body has changed some, and in other ways it really hasn't changed a lot yet. (heavier bust and bigger belly, but really you couldn't see much of a change otherwise with how I'm built).

I've gotten different answers on the weight gain... in the US/Canada/UK you tend to get a different answer than here in Germany.

The OB/GYN here that I see has said he wants to watch what I eat and how baby develops as well as my weight gain and will tell me if I gain too much. He's reccommended walking, bike riding and low-impact aerobics (water type, treadmill/ski machine) and things like dancing are ok for now... but anything that I could fall or be 'impacted' by something, he doesn't want me to do (animal related riding, high impact sports)... and lifting is ok for now within my normal limit. He said he'd let me know when I need to 'slow down' more... and otherwise my body will tell me.

Babyfit.com I found is an ok resource, and otherwise I read up on what I can where I can.

I haven't gained a lot of weight yet, I think rather I have slimmed up and what weight I have 'gained' has been masked by the baby.

Due to my tendency towards having an eating disorder, I do not weigh myself outside of the dr's office and the occasional trip upstairs to the scale at my inlaws (maybe once a month). I lost weight prior to getting pregnant, then was sick for a month, so I'm back where I was when I got married right now - hanging around 175-180.

The Ideal weight for my height and build is around 170/175.

There isn't a one size-fits all reccommendation as far as weight gain goes either. (One reference: Mayo Health Clinic)

Mayo Health Clinic says:


My OB/GYN said with what I am eating and how often, so far so good... I asked as some resources were saying I need to intake as much as 3,000 calories a day, and I hardly intake 2,000 on a good day (we don't eat many processed foods and I am not that active) - what did I need to do... and his reccommendation was much the same as the Mayo Health Clinic and other such resources.

I'm taking magnesium and folic acid suppliments, otherwise I eat what I feel a craving towards in moderation, and loads of veggies and fruit. (crazy amounts too!) Water intake is really the biggest concern. One needs to get at least 2-3 liters in a day. One more liter to whatever you normally drink, as it is important to maintain the amniotic fluid around baby.

But seriously, your PCP and your OB/GYN will be the ones who should better know your body, can do a full blood workup and exam and tell you where to start once you are ready to try and conceive.

That was really helpful. Thanks for the refernces to the websites....I appreciate it soo much
Thanks

 

[Leanna]

Thanks soo much. My body weight is now around 96-97 lbs....thats not natural....naturally I get go around 110..because in recovery when I reached that weight I stopped gaining...thats what my body is meant to hold...and can maintain that...or did before I ever had an eating disorder...
Its just scary to think that my body will change so drastically...Im praying to God that it doesnt...that I can be cut some slack...because weight gain is triggering for me....
BUT however I do plan on waiting 1-2 more years to have a child....and until then Im going to be working on my recovery from my eating disorder...and try and get healthy....try...and I pray I do.
Also I already have period problems before I got on the pill....its why I was put on the pill...well because I didnt have my period. I was diagnosed with amenorrhea...and before I got on the pill I wasnt having my period for about a year and a half straight.....so I feel like I will probably have troubel conceiving anyways...and already the damage done to my body through this self-destruction....I just want to be healthy when Im ready for a baby....not only physically...but I know mentally its important too.

When you are 110 then do you have regular cycles?

 

[_Shannon_]

Not having your perod comes from not having enough body fat...

I can't imagine your strugles...but like Leanna wrote- there's no way your body will be the same after pregnancy--it is beautiful- it's just beautiful in a different way than before.

I would wait- because of something unrelated--I would wait until you feel like you have your control issues taken care of...my gracious there is so much powerlessness and surrender in motherhood--and you need to really be open to just experiencing that loss of conttrol in a healthy way (which is something I am still learning to do- 10 years later).

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

When you are 110 then do you have regular cycles?

Before my eating disorder yes....I have had an eating disorder for seven years....so my weight goes up and down up and down....my highest weight ever was 117 but I was doing alot hurtful things to my body at the onset....so I wasnt having my period then....then I tried to recover once and I was around 110 and my cycles came back regular for a few months..then I went down (relapse)to 85 lbs..no period...then back up to 110(trying to recover) no period....then I relapsed which is where I am at now...and no period
SO Im afraid after BC I wont regulate on my own....soooo....

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

Not having your perod comes from not having enough body fat...

I can't imagine your strugles...but like Leanna wrote- there's no way your body will be the same after pregnancy--it is beautiful- it's just beautiful in a different way than before.

I would wait- because of something unrelated--I would wait until you feel like you have your control issues taken care of...my gracious there is so much powerlessness and surrender in motherhood--and you need to really be open to just experiencing that loss of conttrol in a healthy way (which is something I am still learning to do- 10 years later).

*hugs* I admire you for your patience and being the mom that you are...dont talk to you much...but I see you have your hands full and you seem to have your head on straight....that gets applauds from me...

 

[Leanna]

Before my eating disorder yes....I have had an eating disorder for seven years....so my weight goes up and down up and down....my highest weight ever was 117 but I was doing alot hurtful things to my body at the onset....so I wasnt having my period then....then I tried to recover once and I was around 110 and my cycles came back regular for a few months..then I went down (relapse)to 85 lbs..no period...then back up to 110(trying to recover) no period....then I relapsed which is where I am at now...and no period
SO Im afraid after BC I wont regulate on my own....soooo....

Then I think you should make a goal weight of 110 (as in gain some weight) and get off the birth control as soon as you could afford to risk getting pregnant (just in case), so that you can even out your cycles naturally. The birth control is giving you a fake period with no ovulation and you'll need a real one to get pregnant, so it isn't really a solution sorta just covering the problem, you know?

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

Then I think you should make a goal weight of 110 (as in gain some weight) and get off the birth control as soon as you could afford to risk getting pregnant (just in case), so that you can even out your cycles naturally. The birth control is giving you a fake period with no ovulation and you'll need a real one to get pregnant, so it isn't really a solution sorta just covering the problem, you know?

I know...
so to start an actual period with ovalation I have to get off BC...which I have heard before anyways...and I know you have to have ovulation to get pregnant....but I dunno...Im afraid I already messed that up...havent seen a real period with ovulation for a year and a half now...well going on two years....and when I am on the placebo pills which are 7 pills without any hormones of BC...my period doesnt come until the last 3 days...and its very light...and then I start again on my hormone pills....and I am pretty sure this BC is supposed to make your period a normal one...anywhere from 5-7 days and not super light as mine

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

I know...
so to start an actual period with ovalation I have to get off BC...which I have heard before anyways...and I know you have to have ovulation to get pregnant....but I dunno...Im afraid I already messed that up...havent seen a real period with ovulation for a year and a half now...well going on two years....and when I am on the placebo pills which are 7 pills without any hormones of BC...my period doesnt come until the last 3 days...and its very light...and then I start again on my hormone pills....and I am pretty sure this BC is supposed to make your period a normal one...anywhere from 5-7 days and not super light as mine

With time and health, your body should re-regulate itself, but IF you do end up having some troubles there is plenty of help out there. I was on BC pills for 4yrs straight from 14-18, I had only had my period for a few months before going on it so my body hadn't got used to it before I messed around with my hormones. I did struggle to get pregnant and required fertility help. Maybe if I'd waited a few years my body would have gotten back to normal. Anyway, not wanting to scare you because I obviously went on to have healthy kids but yeah it can make it a bit more difficult...

To answer your other question, I lost almost all of my pregnancy weight without even trying/noticing. Especially after my first baby. For me, I now have a womans body, but I feel more beautiful now than I ever have (even if I still want to tone up and lose a couple more pounds!), and that's after I've delivered 2 babies...

I think what shannon said was priceless!

 

[lovesbrightpink]

also not having your period could cause you to have problems trying to conceive...

I had ednos and Im scared that I wont be able to have a child when I want one but my doctor said the only reason that I should be concerned would be if I stopped having my period at some point..but I always had mine.

I would talk to your doctor and see what they say.