I actually lost 2 1/2 stone when I was pregnant. And when I say that, I mean that *I* lost about 4 1/2 stone, but "gained" 2 stone in the weight of the baby and all associated stuff. A month after I'd given birth, I was nearly 6 stone lighter than I had been before falling pregnant. Everyone demanded to know how I did it; less than a week after having my son, I looked as though I hadn't even been pregnant. 2 months after having him, I was in a nightclub (my first night out since the birth) and was chatted up more times in that one evening than I had or have ever been in my life combined.

My secret?

I was ILL! I suffered horribly from morning sickness from weeks 12 - 42, I had the dreaded "marbles in gravy" (if you've experienced this yourself you'll know what I'm talking about), I was unable to eat much because my baby was so large and had so much water in there with him he actually gave me an arrythmia by kicking my heart, and crushed my stomach from months 6+ so that I couldn't hold food down. When I was hungry, I couldn't stand to cook because of heat exhaustion (I can't regulate my temp at the best of times, and pregnancy in spring and summer just made it all the worse) so it was raw food. Basically, for 8 months, I pretty much lived on fruit, peppers, water, and pregnancy vitamins. I love my son and hold nothing against him, but the pregnancy was hell.

A lot of stories I hear about women losing weight whilst pregnant include similar stories, or starvation diets consisting mostly of salads and vitamins. I really don't think it's a sign of good health to continue losing your overall weight whilst pregnant; if your belly is growing but the scales are going down, it's not a good thing! - 8/16/2011   4:47:53 PM

My sister actually lost weight during her first trimester, and didn't start gaining until her 3rd trimester.... all because she was actually eating HEALTHY during her pregnancy, and she didn't before.
I think that someone who is concerned about you not gaining enough weight, should just ask about how your dr. appointments are going, and those type of inquisitive questions. unfortunately, many people don't know how to approach the subject of weight, even if their concern is genuine. - 8/16/2011   12:40:22 PM

I think everyone is different, i gained 21 pounds with my second child, lost 3pounds before delivery, 10pounds after delivery and was back to pre pregnancy weight within 3 weeks. i certainly did not try to lose the weight and i was not making healthy choices but i lost it. Four months on and i am the same weight as i was before i fell pregnant so i have not lost anymore. I do need to lose aroun 100 pounds for me to have a healthy BMI and have just started on this new healthy regime. I hope to lose this weight sensibly with the aim of keeping it off in the long term - 8/12/2011   9:02:44 AM

I really wish people wouldn't compare themselves to the plastic artificiality of Hollywood. Birthing a child is a beautiful gift, and more people should see it that way. Just because one is pregnant doesn't mean give up on health and wellness. Take care of yourself (and your growing baby!) and pregnancy can be a wonderful experience. - 8/11/2011   9:56:45 PM

I'm pregnant now, 16 weeks, and haven't gained any weight yet. I can feel that my weight is shifting to the front and within the last two weeks I've begun to show. I have not been limiting my diet or exercising excessively, but I never lost all of my pregnancy weight from my not yet two year old. When I was pregnant with him I gained 55 pounds!!! I had lost about 35 lbs when I found out I was pregnant again. I'm happy with my weight right now and feel more confident about my body when I'm pregnant. - 8/11/2011   5:14:05 PM

I am pregnant right now with my 3rd baby. I haven't been to the doctor yet (have appointment in a couple of weeks) but my husband and I estimate I am about 8-9 weeks along. And I gotta tell you all, I am scared to death of weight gain!!! This doesn't mean that I will be "mommyrexic" by any means, but I am watching what I eat carefully. I have a 15 month old baby and a 14 year old daughter as well. I gained 85 pounds with my teenager. I was careless and (VERY) young and believed I could "eat for 2" and so I did. I didn't take the weight off until she was 8 or 9! About that same time, I met my current husband (nasty divorce when DD was 6!) and I was at a low weight for me. Life got in the way, and I got lazy and gained again. By the time DH and conceived DD2, I weighed just under 300 pounds! (292 to be exact!) The day I went in to deliver DD2, I was 354 pounds. Life was so hard and so uncomfortable. When DD2 was two months old, I got on the Spark bandwagon and lost 125 pounds in just over a year. I FEEL AMAZING! And now, I'm pregnant again.

I'm thrilled to be pregnant... I love my children so much and a third child will be such a blessing. But I am scared to gain again. So I am still exercising, although I have scaled my workouts down from 2 hours a day to 1 hour a day. And I still track all my food with Spark's Nutrition Tracker. But instead of only eating 1000 calories a day, I am up to 1200-1500 a day. Truth is, in the first trimester, your caloric needs do not increase and only increase by about 300 calories a day after the first trimester!

So am I "mommyrexic"? Some might say so, but I think I am leading a healthy lifestyle for me and my baby. I do not feel I am doing anything wrong at this point. I plan to discuss everything with my OB at my appointment and get her take and follow any advice she has. If she says I need to increase my calories, I most certainly will. But this just proves that every person is different. And what some people might judge as "wrong" is actually right for the person doing it! - 8/11/2011   8:53:08 AM

I don't pay attention to the celebrity stuff, but this is a shame if it's encouraging women to judge themselves this way. I like the comment that women are different.

I was bony, almost anorectic, and not healthy when I got pregnant, gained 50 pounds with my first pregnancy, eating a lot of my favorite foods to make veggies and other heatlhier foods more palatable for the baby's sake. and kept much of the weight on, for a variety of reasons (lost my home, lost my job, my folks banned the dad from our lives if I moved back ome as was necessary, etc).

I was overweight when I got pregnant the 2nd time just over 2 years later, and was appalled at the idea of gaining MORE weight, but my midwife team told me NOT to diet. I had morning sickness morning, noon, and night and dropped 14 pounds, which alarmed the midwives. I ended up gaining a healthy 27 pounds from that point, if I recall correctly, with a 9 pound 3 ounce baby. Afterwards, I dropped over 50 pounds, over about 6 months. I wasn't trying anything special, just working 12-hour shifts, breastfeeding the infant and the preschooler (after dinner and at bedtime), thrilled with my two kids, running ragged, taking care of our apartment, and trying to provide healthy choices for my kids. I was no longer greatly overweight nor anorectic.

I just don't understand folks on SP or elsewhere insisting the only factor in weight is calorie intake vs calories expended. Or that a woman can only justify a 20-pound gain in pregnancy. I think the point of the article is to encourage pregnant women not to be unrealistic in their weight expectations, during and after pregnancy, and not let themselves be swayed by celeb stories. - 8/10/2011   7:32:58 PM

I'm going to be really honest here - please don't get nasty with me, folks.

I can't wait for the day that I am pregnant, but, the thought of gaining weight doesn’t make me happy. I would never put my vanity first, ever. The health of the baby is more important. That shouldn't even have to be said!

But, I want to say this. I am a performer. Part of my job is looking a certain way. It sucks, but, yes, casting decisions involve people's looks. Myself, I dread how long it may take me to get back down post-pregnancy. Am I worried in a way that I would ever risk a healthy pregnancy? No. Not an option. But I won't lie and say that the idea gaining weight (and labor itself, since I’m being honest) doesn’t make me cringe. But like someone else said, it will be 100% worth every minute . . . every pound. I have no doubt. I just think it is unfair to pick on people who are honest about being nervous about the weight gain that comes with a baby. Especially when folks feel like they have to work hard to maintain a healthy weight day to day.

The reason I'm a Sparker is to learn to be healthy both physically and mentally. I've never had an "eating disorder", but, I haven't had a healthy relationship with food and dieting either. I guess that is a disorder of some sort. I just think people throw the terms bulimia and anorexia around way to easily. It undermines the people who really struggle with the illnesses. Do I have some food issues? Yep. Am I ill or suffering because of them? No. My mom has scolded me for ‘acting anorexic’ for exercising and watching what I eat. I’m not in denial about anything. I’m just honest that I have to put effort out. That doesn’t make me ‘sick’, nor does it make me a ‘vain’ person. Not in my book, anyways. Honestly, I think that I am probably far more in line with ‘the norm’.

I guess that what I am saying is that I think there are all different kinds of disorders when it comes to food and appearance. I don't think that criticizing anyone ever results in anything good. 'Mommyrexia' may be an honest-to-goodness problem that needs to be addressed. But to give it a clever little name for the sake of sensation isn't right.

And, not that I can relate on the same level – not even close – but, I feel for celebs sometimes. They live in such a different world. Their appearance is their business. Right or wrong, that is how it is. I have had costumers make ‘innocent’ comments about my weight before, negative ones. And directors say that I need to tone up/shed a few pounds. But I’ve been on the other side, too - that I’m not heavy enough/too petite. Once I was even told I was ‘too pretty’ after a final callback for Eliza Doolittle; the director wanted someone that had personality alone, to make the audience – and the leading man – fall in love with that and not her looks. Whatever. I moved on. It happens all the time. But back to the celebs. Most of these gals who bounce back to tiny sizes - they were super small to begin with. I think that their weight 'problem' was already around, long before baby. I think it is crazy how fast so many of them get back down to negative sizes, but, when they don’t hold traditional work hours, they have time to devote to grueling exercise and nothing else. Are they missing out on mommy time? Yeah. But, their choice. Right or wrong.

Last thing. Folks don't always realize that what they say comes out the wrong way. Others really just don't care. In general, we all need to be more kind to each other. Do unto others, and all that good stuff. I have a little rule – if I wouldn’t want to hear it, I won’t say it. Tough love is a different story. I’m just talking about those pesky little well-intentioned, personal comments folks can’t hold back when at the grocery store/airport/church/dinner parties, etc.

Anyways, no one had commented from my perspective yet. I just can't believe I am the only person out there who would openly admit that they see baby weight gain as a bummer. Right now I have what I call my 'happily ever weight' - the weight I gained after getting married. Would I trade a minute of the happiness, or the good times that have more or less added up on the scale? Nope. I’d give the pounds away in a heartbeat, though, ha ha ha.
- 8/10/2011   4:50:44 PM

From a husband's perspective.

If anyone had made a mean comment about how long it was taking my size 4-6 wife to get back to her original size, I would have jumped in and said, "It took her nine months to grow the baby and gain weight. The birth of our son dropped half the weight after five hours of hard work with the last hour being very hard work (I knew because I stayed by her side through the entire process - back in the days where most nurses didn't want the dad around). As far as I'm concerned, as long as she's healthy, she can take as long as she wants to lose the rest."

On the other hand, I might have just smacked the prissy bully.

That's how I would have felt then, and 37 years after my youngest son was born, that's still the way I feel. - 8/10/2011   4:38:28 PM

My metabolism would change during my pregnancies and I would loose weight although eating healthy. I weighed 140 at two months with my third child and we weighed 140 three days before delivery.
Ignoring nosey people is the best idea.
Thanks for your blog. - 8/10/2011   4:29:29 PM

I am not of child bearing age any longer, I can still remember my doctor recommending how much I should gain.

I can say though the concern that a family member had when her daughter became pregnant. Her doctor kept her on such a strict diet and her weight HAD to be kept under 10 pounds + the baby weight. Her daughter was in such pain at times, she was constantly afraid she might go over what the doctor stated. She looked painfully thin.

You expect some weight gain while you are pregnant, but should be mindful of what you eat. This girl was painful just to look at. How could this doctor not see the distress she was in??? - 8/10/2011   12:13:30 PM

Sedonacat-- Your comments are excellent!
Put a pregnant woman in a room, and it seems that the subject of pregnancy and birthing explodes like a bomb! Women love to relate their experiences--and some of the boneheads love to tell of their "ordeal"... perhaps someone will share that 500 hours of hard labor was her fate!! LOL Give me a break!! Please keep the negative comments to yourself, unless it can be helpful. I have three children; one baby was over ten pounds, delivered without sedation. Pregnancy and childbirth for me were the most wonderful, fulfilling and marvelous experiences. "The Prize" each time was joy beyond words! Listen to the advice of your doctor, dear moms, and practice prudent exercise & nutrition. Don't let any bonehead cause you anxiety. - 8/10/2011   11:09:18 AM

My first child is now 5 weeks old and I am within 5 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight. The comments about 'trying to stay skinny' resonated with me. I wouuld get comments when I was at full term (and when he was a week overdue) that I "couldn't be more than 8 months pregnant". It was just how I/he developed. Being tall, active and somewhat overweight (about 15 pounds) prior to becoming pregnant I suspect contribute to how my body looked during and after pregnancy, but it hasn't been intentional. I'm relieved that my work to get back to a healthy weight won't be so daunting, but I think that eating healthy, modest exercise and breastfeeding are enough for now. We need to stop offering others unsolicited opinions - particularly new moms who have enough to worry about! - 8/10/2011   10:34:59 AM

It really used to upset me when people would make comments about my appearance -- pregnant, post pregnant or otherwise. I have learned in my 57 yrs. on this planet that there are going to be people who express their "opinions" and just like the delete button on the computer, we can chose to ignore comments and move on. when someone now tells me, "Are you sure you shouldn't gain some weight?" (I am 4 ft 10-1/2 in and weight 100 lbs. -- perfect for my frame and a FAR cry from the 192 lbs. I weighed in Nov. 2009.) I can SEE that someone who hasn't seen me in awihle would be surprised to see the NEW ME adn understand that. But to say you need to lose or gain weight -- that is a very personal decision. So my comment is always, "I feel so healthy that I woudn't change a thing. How are you doing?"

IF I wasn't eating right or just otherwise abusing my body to maintain a certain weight, I might take a comment to heart. But that's not the case.

Just take care of yourself, and that little growing one, and forget about what others say . . . that's between you and your Dr!!! - 8/10/2011   10:12:12 AM

This article has made me apprehensive about having another child in the future. I love the idea of being healthy and fit during pregnancy and providing that benefit to a child. However, I have already endured scrutiny over my size because I am physically fit. I don't know if I could endure negativity during a pregnancy or directly after. Someone always has something to say, and I do wish that people would worry about their own lives more instead of picking on others. It is not constructive.

I gained 25 pounds with our first child and was active up until about 2 months before delivery. I think that remaining active longer would have provided benefits to myself and our son because it would have reduced my stress levels. Within 4 months I was back to pregrancy weight. My sister, on the other hand, gained a whopping 5 pounds with her first and 6 pounds with her second. She is not overweight and her doctors were not worried with the lack of weight gain. Everyone is different.

I also agree that the media is very good at pitting women against each other. They've been doing it for decades. - 8/10/2011   9:57:44 AM

Yeah, I hate these media created and/or fueled "phenomenons." They seem basically engineered to sow discontent and accusations between women. - 8/10/2011   9:57:25 AM

You know, I live in New York and we have a lot of small people. New Yorkers are in good shape because exercise is built in to living in the city -- we have to walk everywhere, we walk up multiple flights of stairs on a daily basis and carry things home. We also have a large immigrant population, many of whom have smaller builds. I'm not surprised that maternity stores here have to stock smaller sizes than stores in the rest of the country and I definitely don't think that's a sign that people here are anorexic. - 8/10/2011   9:39:31 AM

Personally, I think measuring yourself against what a celebrity does or doesn't do is ridiculous. They have nothing to recommend them or their choices, have a full complement of trainers and staff to ensure their desires are met and seldom have the same restrictions most other people have. - 8/10/2011   9:17:34 AM

People can be so cruel and really it's none of their business.
As a nurse and prenatal educator, I do worry when the expectant mom seems to forget that she's building a human being and the choices she makes during pregnancy can and do impact the health of the baby before and after birth. The focus shouldn't be so much on how much she is gaining but exactly WHAT is she eating that meets the nutritional guidelines for her fetus. Doctors tend to focus on the "numbers" without giving good advice for meeting the needs of the baby. Usually the protein recommendations are much too low. - 8/10/2011   8:33:32 AM

I was overweight in my pregnancies to start. I watched what I ate, making sure to eat healthy foods. I couldn't eat cakes, cookies, or ice cream ( My first pregnancy I got sick every time I ate them, my second I just refused to eat them at all). I walked everyday, took stairs, everything. I still gained 50 pounds for each pregnancy. My Grandpa actually asked me if I was having twins for my second one because I was huge, and he wasn't the only one throwing out fat comments to me. It was embarrassing. I felt like, how do these women do it! I was doing everything I could not to gain more than I had to and I still was. I have a friend of mine who had a baby and dropped down to her pre-pregnancy weight 2 weeks after having the baby! And it took me 2 years to drop that weight, my stomach looks warped as does the rest of my body, and I get (as well as many others) to look at magazines of women who have nothing wrong with them after their babies. It is frustrating when everyone around you follows the same hype and cares more about the fact you look like a blimp than the health of the baby. - 8/10/2011   7:50:47 AM

I am not sure what to think. - 8/10/2011   7:41:55 AM

This all makes such perfect sence as my Daughter is still suffering from terrible weight problems after having 5 delightful children, the youngest just 6! I dearly hope this doesn't plague her for too much longer as she gets so depressed. She's back to a perfectly normal weight and is very active - but she's always fighting to stay what she considers to be 'normal'.

All best wishes and love to all those like me dear lass. Take heart and learn to love yourself for who you are - your kiddies sure will.!!!

Sue x - 8/10/2011   6:14:30 AM

I've never heard the term "mommyrexia" before reading this blog. It's hard for people to keep from making inappropriate comments about someone expecting/having a baby but lots of times it's just best to let the comments go in one ear and out the other. You and your OB know what's best and the you and the baby's health is the most important. Best of luck with this next baby. - 8/10/2011   3:45:08 AM

Unfortunately people think it is their right to comment on our weight-- good or bad and especially when pregnant.. I think you did fabuluosly and congrats on your trifecta :) - 8/10/2011   2:37:43 AM

I do not understand those persons who believe that what is going on inside of their head is what is going on in another person's mind! No one knows what is in the mind of another human being, therefore no one should be quick to come to conclusions. - 8/9/2011   7:05:04 PM

I was about 100 lbs overweight when I was pregnant with both my children and during each pregnancy - I lost weight, around 20 lbs. I wasn't trying to lose weight and in fact I was eating non stop the entire pregnancy. With my first pregnancy I hated going for my checkups because I dreaded weighing in and getting dissaproving looks from the nurses and a lecture from the doctor every time, but my husband was there to back me up that I wasn't trying to lose weight. My son was a normal birth weight of 7 lbs, six years later we found out I was pregnant again and I had a similar experience through my pregnancy, although this time I had a different OB and I had explained to her my experience with my first OB. Since I was 41 at the time I had more appointments than normal this time and I had monthly sonograms to monitor the baby. I lost 25 lbs the second pregnancy, my monthly lab tests came back normal, my doctor concluded that the pregnancy itself was speeding up my metabolism. My daughter was a few ounces more at birth than my son was. Both very healthy children. Our society rushes to judge others and we don't see to stop to realize that others are judging us with just as harshly or more. We need to stop judging and start accepting that we are all different and that is the beauty of being human. - 8/9/2011   7:01:06 PM

OK... the baby might not "take what it needs from the mother's body" as stated in one comment...for instance, folic acid. If mom is deficient in this important nutrient it can cause all sorts of consequences in the unborn child. Good nutrition is important to both the baby and the mom, before, during, and after pregnancy. Rather than focus on that little "basketball" shape, having it or not (which is a longed-after shape for many a pregnant mom) but rather than being obsessed with a particular shape, mom's need to be obsessed with good nutrition. Then pregnancy pounds will be good, and weight will return to normal. Well.. good nutrition, and good fitness routines, of course. Whether a particular fitness routine is healthy for mom and her unborn child is between the mom and her doctor. All that said... I do think there is, on the part of some expectant moms, a perhaps deeper-than-healthy desire to remain small during pregnancy. Again... good nutrition is the key... not calorie counts or the weight scales. - 8/9/2011   6:37:58 PM

I agree that it's important to not jump to conclusions. I am not naturally thin. I gained about 30 pounds with my pregnancy. I walked a bit, but was too sick (bronchitis first trimester, flu third trimester) to sustain much activity. However, once I had my daughter the weight was gone within a few weeks. That's not to say that I looked exactly the same at my pre-pregnancy weight AFTER birth as I had BEFORE birth. I didn't care about the weight, and had bigger things on my mind than a number on the scale.

I don't know if my experience is at all the norm, or totally unlikely, but I know I would never assume mothers-to-be, or new mothers, were starving themselves to keep/get back to thin. - 8/9/2011   3:54:50 PM

I remember back in the dinosaur days, reading that 20-25 lbs was the normal weight gain for pregnancy, whether you're fat or skinny when you start out.

My mom was pregnant and gave birth 10 times !!! And it was her experience that people just like to make comments to pregnant women, and didn't care if they were being rude or not! Maybe it's just curiousity or fascination with how the body changes. Maybe it is genuine concern, or maybe it's cattiness. Who knows?

So I would say, either respond in some way to the person, in the moment, if you feel offended, or, just let it go and move on! Good luck and good health to both your and new baby!
- 8/9/2011   3:53:44 PM

I think I netted about a half a pound in my pregnancy. I dropped about five, and I was always concerned that my baby wasn't growing enough, but the doctor never seemed that concerned, and she was always right around her normal size at every ultrasound. After she was born, I weighed 25 pounds less when I went to my one month check up with the OB. Like someone else mentioned, it's not something that I did intentionally. But because I knew that I was having a baby, I started making better eating choices and stopped eating junk food.

I've never heard of "mommyrexia" before, but I certainly think that most women aren't vain enough to put their unborn child's health at risk for their own benefit. Every pregnancy is different, and we can't always be comparing ourselves to one another. - 8/9/2011   3:41:38 PM

Wow ... there are some interesting comments here. Here's to healthy mommies and healthy babies! - 8/9/2011   3:33:51 PM

I'm just curious why your friend's comments were received as hurtful rather than as honestly concerned. - 8/9/2011   2:22:29 PM

I had a co-worker once who was the same way. She didn't gain anything except a basketball. I don't even think she bought any maternity clothes. If I didn't see how she ate on a daily basis, I think I would have probably drawn some wrong conclusions. I think it really depends on how your body reacts. Some people are blessed. - 8/9/2011   2:13:06 PM

I have to wonder if you are being honest with yourself. The clues in the post are these: you consider yourself "lucky" that you don't feel good but do look good throughtout pregnancy. And you are upset that a close friend brought up her concerns about the health of your baby. (I know plenty of women who didn't gain much, including one friend who wore her pre-preg jeans home from the hospital, so don't assume I'm a fat mom justifying myself. ) - 8/9/2011   1:58:43 PM

I actually came out of the hospital weighing less than I did when I got pregnant- with BOTH of my kids! Not because I was "mommrexic" either- Quite the opposite. I just quit eating junk and drinking sodas and started eating lean red meat, veggies, milk, etc.

After delivery is when my weight gain happens... *gulp* Nursing makes me HUNGRY and I no longer have the pregnancy hormones dictating what I should eat- makes falling back into my old junk food routine WAY too easy. - 8/9/2011   1:56:56 PM

I think weight gain is different for everybody, and sometimes it is just out of our hands (unless one is making an effort to restrict calories or just plain overeats). I have 4 children (the last pregnancy with twins) and could never gain more than 24 pounds. Even so, all of them-twins included-were of normal birth weight. It wasn't because of excessive exercise or being particularly calorie-conscious. It just seemed to be where I 'maxed out'. I do have a small frame, and I think that is true of a lot of the celebrity people. As long as moms are listening to their physicians and eating healthy/getting sufficient exercise we probably shouldn't get too caught up in the media commentary. - 8/9/2011   1:28:53 PM

I have seen other women get pregnant more than once, and have very different pregnancies. These are the same women, with the same partner. To even think that one needs to be like some celebrity is insane when we might not even be the same as our own selves. I have not yet experienced the joy of kids, but when I do, I'll try to keep this blog entry and its comments in mind if I start freaking out about weight gain. - 8/9/2011   1:20:17 PM

Well, it's unfortunate that the writer felt the need to go into defensive mode rather than discuss what is and isn't healthy and safe during pregnancies. (Although I agree that unwanted advice and assumptions during pregnancy is beyond annoying.) I have no idea if there is such a thing as "mommyrexia" (first time I've ever heard the phrase, actually.) I do know that women should discuss weight gain and planned exercise with their doctors, and go by that advice only.

- 8/9/2011   12:59:54 PM

If anyone had called my exercise during pregnancy "excessive", the unfortunate person would probably have ended up in the hospital.

I exercised 6 days a week in the 1st tri, and trained for a marathon. In the 2nd and 3rd tris I brought my exercise back up to 7 days a week, when I began restorative yoga. I gained 22 pounds (very normal for my 5'2", 113 pound pre-preg frame) and was back to that weight in under 3 months.

I was told by some haters that I would do some critical damage to my body, blah blah blah.

Well, those haters are sitting at home whining about the 30 pounds they can't lose. - 8/9/2011   12:33:49 PM

I have seen this word pop up all over the place lately, especially in reference to women that continue racing when they are pregnant. This angers me! Why do people think that you are completely incapacitated when pregnant? I think it is wonderful to see pregnant women at my gym, or out running around my neighborhood. I wish I had exercised during my pregnancy- I probably would have felt better, had a smoother recovery from the delivery, and lost the weight faster afterwards. - 8/9/2011   12:22:53 PM

Most women are under the close supervision of a physician throughout their pregnancies and for at least 6 weeks post partum. It would never cross my mind to judge a woman for things like this. If there was a problem, I am sure someone much more qualified than I - namely a doctor - would address it with her. - 8/9/2011   12:10:57 PM

Actually, the whole idea of comparing our pregnant selves (and not-pregnant!) with celebrities is ridiculous. Celebrities are in the business of self-image. As someone who has struggled with self-worth/self-image for a long time, I get tired of the constant need to hold ourselves up to some impossible standard. In fact, when I found out I was pregnant this time around, I breathed a sigh of relief. I eat healthfully and am active, yes, but beyond that I am focused on doing what is best for my baby, not whether or not I gain 35 lbs vs 25. (and to the commenter who said 20 lbs is all that is necessary, actually, the recommended weight gain for a person with a normal weight is 25 to 35 lbs. And you don't always have control over the actual amount you gain, due to water weight gain, etc).

How about instead we just celebrate the incredible miracle our bodies are creating and do our best to make sure the babies we are carrying are as healthy as possible instead of getting hung up on how we look. Pregnant bodies are beautiful, no matter what size. - 8/9/2011   11:32:57 AM

While I think this "mommyrexia" could be a problem for some, I also think the media is blowing this out of proportion. The truth is women don't have to gain a lot of weight to deliver a happy, healthy baby. They also can (and should!) exercise during pregnancy without risk to the baby. I gained 50 pounds with my first baby. Luckily I was able to get it back off, but next time around I'll definitely be more mindful. Putting on that kind of weight just isn't necessary. - 8/9/2011   11:20:17 AM

People are so fat today that they don't even realize that a woman doesn't need to gain over 20 pounds for a pregnancy. The baby weighs about 7, plus the placenta, extra fluids, etc. and 20# is more than enough. The FIT celebs are women who just stay within their range. "mommyrexia" is probably some stupid guy writing about pregnancy like Perez Hilton. A baby will ALWAYS take what it needs from the mother's body. One problem with not losing "baby weight" is young woman today don't breast feed. That takes off any extra weight, unless you overeat. - 8/9/2011   11:19:06 AM

Very interesting read! Enjoyed the subject and the insight.

-Amy, Fuse Pilates - 8/9/2011   10:59:29 AM

I think it's good to be aware of, regardless, but we shouldn't just assume that mommy's-to-be are trying not to gain weight. - 8/9/2011   10:53:36 AM

It would be so helpful if women could remember that we are all different, and that my experience won't necessarily be "just like yours". It seems that, since pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood are so universal (and overwhelmingly personal) to women's lives, they feel more comfortable commenting inappropriately about someone else's experience. Tsk, tsk.

- 8/9/2011   10:50:04 AM

I just had my 1st child. I was overdue and only looked 7 or 8 months, and only 2 weeks after delivery was back in my pre-baby size. All the while eating like a horse and gaining 30 lbs.
Some people just carry differently, i guess. - 8/9/2011   10:20:45 AM

Because I was overweight both times I got pregnant, I assumed I'd be told to only gain about 15 lbs. (I read it on the net so it must be true!). Instead, my doctors worried because I only gained 20 - 21 lbs. - they feared the babies might not be growing sufficiently, but I couldn't gain more because of my morning (all day) sickness. Luckily, both babies came out full-sized and perfect! Bottom line, gain what your doctor says, not what some celebrity gains! - 8/9/2011   10:09:48 AM