Measurements

When you go for your first prenatal check, does the doc take your height and weight etc etc? When should you expect this, if at all?

hmmmm. got me thinking now...

between 24-30 weeks, your baby's weight triples - and this weight gain is what is crucial. During this time, your own weight gain can lead to gestational diabetes - so that's why weight gain is so important. I wouldn't worry about it too much - but I feel that HK doctors don't really stress the weight gain as much as doctors in the US and Korea do. My doctor in Korea was very specific about how much weight to gain, as well as the crucial time to watch my weight ( 5-7 months.)

Oh well, I weigh myself often enough... :D

just the thought of putting on all that weight is terrifying me... LOL!

firsttimemom -


here is a long reply, but it is just my opinion and experience. I am sure others will disagree and have different experiences.


the weight gain is not fun for anyone...


My dr weighs me every visit and keeps it on my chart. I asked for it in kilos and lbs and the nurse charts both.


My doctor here is more obsessed with weight gain than I am, if I gain 6 lbs in one month, he tells me it should just be 4, etc...


for me it has beem more emotionally and intellectually challenging than physically.


I have not enjoyed the weight gain part of pregnancy at all... but rationally we all know it is a necessary part of the 'package'.


I have met womem who gained a lot more, and seen some who just seem to have 'basketballs' and not gained any weight elsewhere.


I have gained a bit everywhere - but especially, stomach, breasts (from 34B - 36D, yeah!), thighs, arse. sometimes my face, hande, feet and lower legs feel fat, but this is water retention. I also have been very tired and not exercising as much as I should, so have lost muscle tone everywhere - but this is my fault.


It is not just the extra kilos/lbs that is hard, it is the fact that when you walk up stairs you are winded and that sometimes exercise becomes very challenging - except for swimming which is wonderful becasue you feel 'normal'.


I read somewhere, you have around 40% more blood in your body that is making you struggle too, and you are likely to be retaining water and bloated (cut down on salt).


They say that if you gain too much in one month, you cannot make up for it by dieting the next month - this is not healthy, you just have to move on - no dieting allowed. BUT it is important to eat healthy, well balanced and get some exercisde.


The good news is, that they say 9 months on, 9 months off. if you breastfeed it helps, and if you set yourself an exercise routine that helps too (be it a walk every day or pilates 2 times a week, or a personal trainer).

I am already fantasizing about a new post-pregnancy wardrobe once I get my weight back to normal (and the new shoes because my feet have grown 1/2 a size!). This is a good motivator for me:)


The other thing is, when you start gaining in months 3-5, you don't always look 'pregnant' and it is really easy to feel fat. when I hit 6 months I definately looked pregnant, and oddly that helped my mental state... although I still felt fat, it was really obvious as to why!


Here is a useful calculator:

http://www.babycenter.com/calculators/weightgain/


The below info is from:

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_153.asp


"Where does it all go?

Approximate breakdown of a weight gain of 29 pounds

Blood 3 pounds

Breasts 2 pounds

Womb 2 pounds

Baby 7.5 pounds

Placenta 1.5 pounds

Amniotic fluid 2 pounds

Fat, protein & other nutrients 7 pounds

Retained water 4 pounds"


"If you are normal weight before pregnancy:

Gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are overweight before pregnancy:

Gain 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are underweight before pregnancy:

Gain 28 to 40 pounds during pregnancy (depending on your pre-pregnancy weight).

If you have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more): See your health care provider. You will need to gain more weight during pregnancy depending on the number of babies you are carrying.


Gaining the right amount of weight will make it easier to shed pounds after delivery and will prepare your body for breastfeeding. It also helps protect the health of your baby."


In Kilos:

http://www.birth.com.au/class.asp?class=66&page=9


"The 'average' weight gain of around 12 to 14 kg can be physically attributed to:


baby = 3 to 4 kg

placenta = 0.5 kg

amniotic fluid = 1 kg

uterus = 1 kg

blood volume = 1.5 kg

breasts = 0.5 kg

Fat stores for breastfeeding = 3.5 kg

Fluid retention = 1.5 kg"


All I can suggest, is eat healthy, try to exercise(swim?), and don't worry too much - it is part of the package of pregnancy, and you will recover from it.


Oh, I moisturise every day although it is not proven to help prevent stretch marks - belly, breast, thights, arse, back (near kidneys). use anything - oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, etc... but do something, it feels nice too.


Oh, and somethig funny to end with... I was in the supermarket and there were two trolleys in my way... there was a gap and I judged I could get through it.... well, if I wasn't pregnant I could - but my belly got in the way! that was embarassing, but more funny than anything!

: ) Cri I have always enjoyed your posting. It's ao helpful and educational.


My baby is almost 5 months old now and I have been breastfeeding since she's born. I was at 183 lbs at the time of giving birth and I was at 135 lbs when she's 4 weeks old. I am really happy because I have never been lighter than 140 lbs for the past 10 years with a good exercise program. So dont get too stress out by the weight, with breastfeeding and plenty of rest you will lose all the weight naturally even without exercise.

Yes Cri, great post. So far at 9 weeks I seem to have lost maybe 1 pound on account of losing my appetite, but they say that its normal to lose weight in the first trimester, so I'm not fussed. I'm eating very healthy. Ah yes, and moisturise moisturise moisturise. My skin is so much drier now and I have pimples errupting. Ugh.


ewhk, great to know that you are lighter postpartum - what is your exercise programme? dyu have a trainer?

I was also lighter postpartum - 5 kg lighter after having given birth - I didn't have much time to work out the way I used to before the baby - but I ate well, rested well, and breastfed until my baby was a year old. I'm pregnant again with #2 and I started out 5kg lighter than my first birth - YEAH! Don't worry - you'll be fine. I think you only have to worry if you REALLY REALLY eat excessively - otherwise if you remember that being pregnant is NOT eating for two. I have to say though, during my morning sickness for three months - the only thing that tasted good was Haagan Daz ice cream - OH NO!!

firtstimom - my complexion was bad in 1st trimester, but cleared in second, now starting 3rd and getting spots again a bit.

Moisturise - besides shea butter, I also use salt scrubs in the shower - which is good because exfoliates and moisturises at the same time. There are some essential oils that are not recommended for pregnancy and some that are.


HK ChoiChoi and Ewhk - thanks for the encouragement - nice to read some positive news about the weight loss!! Please share any tips :)


Ewhk - how in the world did you get from 183 lbs to 135 lbs in 4 weeks? That seems incredible/impossible to lose 50 lbs in four weeks?


Another odd thing - in HK, I feel really fat and huge. Was in the USA recently and I was still smaller than most 'normal USA size' people - it was a great ego boost!!

Yes, I can NEVER buy pants in HK, so I get them made. I am two different sizes, top is 4-6 (US) pants are god knows what, cause of the thighs since I stopped exercising. I feel good when I go to the US too. Everything is so huge hahahaha


I'm not using essential oils really, except for the occasional massage, my masseuse uses base oil and very little lavender and tea tree.


I bought something called Elasticity Belli oil - for the stomach, which I will use towards of the end of the 2nd trimester. They said its safe to use all through pregnancy, but I dont want to take the chance:


http://www.bellicosmetics.com/store.byproduct.php?prod_id=17&cat_id=10


Although I'm not showing, I think I've gone up a cup size though I still use the same bra, and my stomach looks bloated. I still have a waist. But I'm only 9 weeks. When can I expect to pouch out??? I want to pouch out!!


And I cannot wait for the 2nd trimester when I can start doing my prenatal exercises and start toning my thighs.


Has anyone here given birth squatting?

Mummy - "once you lose the bump you'll think you've got the tiniest tummy in the world" ha ha, this made me laugh aloud, but I bet it is true!!!

My cousin said something to me about how tiring nursing was and how much extra she had to eat and drink - she said especially drinking water and milk all the time.

I have no idea about this yet... interesting to see you also say it was tiring and you need the extra weight to breast feed succesfully. So maybe this extra pudge is good :)


Firsttimemom -> my breasts went from 34B, to 34D in 1st trimester, to 36D in second (rib cage expands).... enjoy the cleavage while your belly is still small! In the first trimester they were also very sore. Once my tummy got larger, even though I am now 36D it doesn't show because my tummy is bigger!

the other advice I can give is two fold:

1. www.figleaves.com for nursing bras, they deliver free to HK (compare prices on USA and UK site for best deals)

2. when you are sore, you might want to start sleeping in your bra (swore I never would, now I never take mine off!), I use both sports bras (you know, those all in one pieces that are super comfy) and sleeping/nursing bras which are also all in one and really comfy.


Some women do not show until 5 month - and initially it really just looks like you are getting a bit fat... but 6/7 month there will be no question you are pregnant. Other women (especially those on second baby) look pregnant at month 4 right away.

Mummy, LOL. My stomach starts out slim in the morning but by evening I look 5 months. I'm only wearing stretchy pants these days!!


Cri - I'm likely a 34C now (was 34B), was sore from week 5, and wear a bra vest kind of thing when I'm at home. I'll need to get a thin stretchy sports bra in a different size soon. The ones I have are very thick, can't imagine sleeping in em - YET! Will browse figleaves.

For really nice materniy/nursing bras (Elle MacPhereson, etc..) I used figleaves.


For the sleep/nuring bras I bought Emma-Jane from Figleaves, and some cheap 'slide them out' bras from the USA (not with a clip on the strap to pull down, just simple design so you can 'slide out' for easy feeding (very similar to sports bras but thinner material and less support for easier access).

For the basic sports bras I got them as cheap as possible - after all, they are basically cotton and lycra and either S-M-L!


I didn't start sleeping in them until 2nd trimester I think... don't worry, they do stop being sore... really!

Today I was at a store and the cashier looked at me and asked how many months I was. I was gobsmacked. My stomach has been protruding today and I'm only 9 weeks, but what made it worse was that I'd just eaten lunch. I made the mistake of wearing a fitting teeshirt, and I'm not fat anyway. oooo ugh. Still, I doubt the tummy actually looks pregnant. I thought I just looked fat around the middle. After I was able to shut my mouth and take a deep breath I admitted being 9 weeks, she congratulated me and I hightailed it outta there!!


Cripes.

Firsttimemom -


I did use postpartum this belly girdle type thingy. I don't know what you call it - Koreans used to wrap a tight cloth around their middles to help the uterus shrink back up and support their backs afterwards. I bought this elastic band type support with a bunch of tiny hooks at Sogo - in the maternity/kids section - if I remember correctly - it was a brand called gennie. You're supposed to put it on after birth (provided you don't have a C-section) and it helps put everything back in I guess.


I also ate the Korean breastfeeding food - the most important thing was the Seaweed soup. I hated it. Drank it like medicine. But according to all the Korean grandmas, the iodine in the seaweed helps shrink your uterus and helps you produce your milk and then the seaweed helps you poop out all the nasty stuff that has been built up in you. After having the soup breakfast, lunch and dinner (very low in calories, and high in fiber) I was pretty full. I did eat other foods as well of course, but the seaweed soup was the mainstay of my diet for over six months.


there are some basic exercises that you day immediately after birth - most of them involve breathing and contracting your stomach muscles. If you get a FIT pregnancy magazine - they have the ones that you can do. I did them lying down, after my daughter went to sleep and just breathed and contracted my stomach. After the 8 week postpartum period, I started the walking portion of my routine.


I am a HUGE fan of Lotte Berk - there are some DVD's available - the major plus side of it is that it only takes 30 minutes- so when your baby is napping, you can pop that one in pretty quickly.


But all in all, most women I know who breastfeed tend to lose the weight much faster than those who do not. The difference is really quite dramatic. you get the big boobs, and everything else seems to shrink. it's pretty awesome - and you eat - because you're hungry and your body just burns it up while you breastfeed. SO try not to worry too much about the weight - stick your stomach out and be proud. Even if people notice earlier - it just means that you have more time to enjoy the pregnancy treatment - if you show late, you never get the full benefits...HAHAH.

Simplythebest -


Seaweed soup was initially made by my mother who took care of me for one month, and then by Me - so it's actually pretty simple, provided you can get the dried seaweed. There are some Korean markets in HK - Kimberly Road in TST for sure - and I think they may have something like the japanese version at great or city super. But the best one for your health is the most natural one, not farmed. (my grandmother sent me deep ocean seaweed which is quite pungent in taste in contrast to the Japanese Wakame)


Oh - just realized that you're in Guangzhou - so I'm not quite sure how to advise you on the purchase of the seaweed.


But basically - you have to make the broth first - there are many different types of broth that go quite well with the seaweed - especially if you like fish - there are dried anchovy based broths, or clam based broths, but I liked the beef broth.


(just adapt according to your broth preference.)


In cold water, first drain the "blood" from the meat. Koreans believe that the blood makes the broth unclear and you will notice the difference. SO you soak your cut of beef (brisket or flank tends to make the nicest flavor) in the cold water. After about 30 minutes, the beef will have drained most of the blood into the cold water.


Boil water in a pot - add the beef portion to BOILING water, with a few whole garlic cloves. Simmer the beef in the water until it can be easily pierced with a chopstick. (Usually 30 minutes at least.) Remove from heat.


While beef is simmering, you must soak the dried seaweed to make it pliable (at least 40 minutes) - and you have to wash it too as if you don't it can be quite grainy. So wash your seaweed, cut it if necessary into nice bite sized pieces.


Then in another pan, saute the seaweed with sesame oil (real Korean toasted 100% pure sesame oil, not blended. Japanese sesame oil comes quite close.) sesame seeds, and salt (or if you have access to a korean market, they have a special kind of soy sauce for making soups.) Saute briefly than pour soup base over your seaweed.


boil and then serve. you can refrigerate this for a while and eat it over several days.


I know my proportions are NON existent, but I dont' really know how to explain all the proportions. If you're a semi proficient cook, this still may be hard, and if it is, i'll try and come up with some actual proportions.


Good luck! By the way, this is also the soup you're supposed to eat on your birthday in order to have good health and to grow a year. It's called Meeyuk Gook. (I have affectionately named it Meeyucky gook and have sworn not to eat it until my next breastfeeding postpartum period in four months.)

LOLOLOL! you made me laugh with the meeyucky gook bit! I too love seaweed, and seaweed soup. Can we put whipped egg into the soup too? And what dyu do with the beef - is that eaten with the soup?


I never knew what seaweed to buy. I shall have to go prospecting. Isnt seaweed OK to eat while pregnant too?

aye, that I am. I just wish my thighs would get the message... ;D

I forgot to mention with the beef - you do have the option to shred it up and eat it in the soup. Koreans don't put whipped egg in the soup but I don't see why not. I am also partial to some pepper in mine, although my husband complains about it. I don't know all the different types of Japanese seaweed, but I do know that wakame is sort of similar - I don't think you want to use konbu but I'm not familiar with hijiki or arame.


Meeyuk is the korean term for Seaweed - so if you DO happen to go to one of the korean markets on Kimberly Road in TST - you ask for it by name. Gook refers to soup - thererfore seaweed soup.

: ) mummy, i've already had the baby and am getting it too! lol.


it's incredible how quickly the weight drops off after delivery; i couldn't believe it. i had put on between 25-30lbs. i don't have figures for you in pounds or kilos in terms of how much weight was dropped, but I was wearing many of my old clothes again within two weeks!!! could NOT believe it. breastfeeding truly helps lose the weight. do not even concern yourself with it as long as you're not overdoing the eating (and not undereating either!), the weight will go away afterwards. i hate to admit it, but i haven't been exercising much either. shame on me. but baby is very little and breastfeeding has me home with her a lot and we're all pretty tired around here. have to get out and about more; babe likes to be on the move so it'll be a joint endeavor. ;)


good luck to you ladies.

LOL, Mummy and RiceT... I take it you dont like seaweed then, or is it the eggs?? LMAO


RiceT did the weight drop off your thighs and butt or did not not put on much there?

firsttimemom -


I put it on my butt the first time around, and then went back to my flat butt. I am now putting it on again the second time around - it may be the way you're carrying yourself you know. My thighs don't tend to get heavy when I gain weight (I am a strictly upper body gainer) but there are lots of yoga exercises you can do to help tone the area. the Plank is good for overall body strength and it works your center core.


again - after the pregnancy, I did lose my butt and went back to my normal flat self. So if you're gaining there, you may also deflate there later.

firsttime - no, not the seaweed; think the feeling started somewhere with the line of "first drain the blood". : )


anyway, weight fell off from everywhere. i did not gain too much in butt and thighs, but some, and in fact, i can't even tell you where the weight was distributed (other than belly and boobs, etc.) because i didn't pay too much attention to it. just wanted to eat well for the babe and me. ate when hungry...and when should...didn't overdo it. don't stress the weight gain; take good care of yourself, nourish, etc.. as you already know, you should think you're "not eating for two", but rather for you and a tiny little person. what is it, 500 extra calories give or take? can't remember. in addition to losing weight after delivery, you will also lose your memory. ;) it's all good and the babes are beautiful! : )

So far no real weight gain - in fact I feel like I've lost some inches and maybe half a kilo, but gained a bit on my tummy - that could just be water retention and bloating though. In the second trimester I plan to start my exercise regimen again. I've never felt this weak before. ugh.


Well, had another scan today. This time we took the video camera. Got a nice galloping heartbeat, size is just right and we got some movement - little waving of arms and leg buds!!!! So cool, and to watch on big screen at home is cooler still!

The doc took my weight today...

Mummy, you must be so excited!! One more month!!! I have to wait till June, boo hoo. Still, its thrilling to see the growth.


My mom could not believe there is movement at this stage. Most people think that the baby starts moving only when they can feel it kicking. Everytime the doc pressed down, the bubba flailed its arms and legs hahahahaha. My heart was melting!