Q&A: I am overweight and finding it hard to gain during pregnancy. Is that OK?

Over the generations, weight was maligned as a deal-breaker for a healthy pregnancy. Back in the "old" days, when C-sections had a feared mortality rate, added weight was seen as contributing to "dystocia," or difficulty in passing the baby through the delivery route, necessitating the C-section.

Today, weight is still a concern, but not to the degree it once was. Attention is turned toward gestational diabetes, in which an inappropriate diet and weight gain may contribute to complications.

As far as your question goes, you're concerned that you're not gaining enough weight. If you're eating OK, and if you're not throwing up, then it's got to be going somewhere. If your health care provider is as concerned about your lack of weight gain as you are he or she might suggest that you get an ultrasound just to confirm that your unborn baby is developing on schedule. (Keep in mind, the baby takes what he or she needs and leaves the rest for you.)

Your problem is that you started off overweight—275 pounds is a lot of weight to just maintain. It's not unusual for little or no weight gain to be experienced during the first half of pregnancy. So, no, this isn't bad, unless the lack of weight gain is because of nausea, poor nutrition, or decreased appetite due to illness.