The trauma of miscarriage is utterly devastating as well as being both emotionally and physically challenging. Many women struggle with gaining weight after a miscarriage which has a further impact on their health. Holding those extra pounds could hinder the chances of trying again and it can alter your self image making your esteem plummet. Read further for help and support tips.
Is Gaining Weight After a Miscarriage Normal?
After miscarriage weight gain is normal. You have just been told the most devastating news so feelings of disparity and loss can impact the way you eat. Typically depression can occur leaving you looking for comfort food which adds the extra pounds. The imbalance of hormones can slow your metabolism leaving you feeling sluggish and bodily fatigued.
Miscarriage
Firstly I assume if you are looking at ‘ I gained weight after miscarriage’’ you are going through a loss and for this, I truly am so sorry. Nothing prepares you for the devastating news, it comes at you like a truck going 100mph. I just want you to know it isn’t the end of your hopes of being a mom. So many women go on to have healthy pregnancies after having a loss. So keep the faith that it will happen for you.
What Happens During a Miscarriage?
Depending on how far you were at the time of your loss can depict how your body reacts. I was very early in my pregnancy meaning my body was expelling my pregnancy without medical intervention.
Your doctor will be able to clarify what needs to happen once a miscarriage has been diagnosed. At times you may need tablets or a pessary to start the extraction process.
Either way, we need to brace ourselves for the immediate future and no one can be totally prepared for the final loss. Having a good support network can help but you need to take the time to look after yourself. Nothing you have done made this happen, it is just the cruel reality that many women have to endure.
Is it Normal?
Absolutely! Let’s face it your weight is not high on your agenda after your miscarriage but you will find that as you gain weight it can prolong those feelings of fatigue and low moods.
It’s so easy to have the mantra “I don’t care” and I am totally with you. What you have been through is completely life altering but it is important that after your miscarriage you aim to regain a healthy lifestyle for your future, especially if you are starting to feel ready to try again.
Why Is Gaining Weight After Miscarriage Common?
Gaining weight after a miscarriage isn’t the same as living an overindulgent lifestyle. There are many factors that contribute towards the weight gain many of us suffer after dealing with a loss. You need to concentrate on the whole ‘you’ not just the physical outlook of your body.
Your body is flooded with an excess amount of hormones when you fall pregnant. When you suffer a loss it takes a while for your body to return to normal. There are many symptoms women suffer as they go through a miscarriage.
‣ Pain
The pain of a miscarriage is intense. I believe that not only do you have to deal with the physical pain, cramping, bleeding, and Tenderness but the emotional pain can be so much worse.
I am a woman who has lost a baby, I know how common it is, yet I hate to think of myself and the little bean I lost as a statistic. For me finding out I was pregnant was a great surprise, I found myself looking to the future and wondering what my little cherub would be like.
Then it hit, the amount of blood I lost I think now I knew deep down what was happening but I refused to believe it. I needed a doctor to confirm it to make it real.
I cannot describe the pain you feel when going through a loss but take solace in knowing it can get better and you will cope.
‣ Hormones
The hormonal changes you face after a miscarriage can alter your moods, weight, and periods. Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid hormones drop and other hormones increase. When this happens your metabolism can slow down leaving you gaining weight.
‣ Depression
You are going through an undeniably difficult time in your life. Losing a baby no matter if it is early or later in your pregnancy will affect your emotional state. Your mental health can suffer meaning that you could turn to comfort eating. The increase in calories will leave you feeling heavier and I promise you eating through depression does not make you feel better.
‣ Bleeding
This was the first signal for me that something was going wrong. I had a tremendous amount of bleeding yet I know that some women only have slight blood loss. The bleeding can coincide with cramping, pain in your joints and also in your lower back.
Personally I put my weight gain down to bloating and swelling as I had a heavy feeling, I did not even concern myself with how much weight I was gaining.
‣ Pregnancy symptoms
As if what you are going through isn’t cruel enough you could be dealing with breast engorgement, leaking, and overall discomfort. Which in turn could make the scales tip.
How To Lose Weight After Miscarriage
Now you are looking forward to the future. You are never going to forget the ordeal of losing a baby. But below are the best tips to help you regain your mojo after your miscarriage.
‣ Take Care of your Calories
Noticing what you eat and the amount may not feel difficult and I was one of those women who didn’t think they had an unhealthy diet.
This all changed when I started noting my calorie intake. Everything you put into your mouth has a calorie value. So what you deem as a small treat could make a rather large dent in your recommended daily intake.
Never go hungry! Cutting calories too drastically can have the opposite effect, leaving you stuffing your face through hunger. Opt to decrease your intake slowly for a gradual and healthy weight loss.
‣ Become Food Savvy
Educating yourself about foods is key. Let’s be fair we all know increasing fruits and vegetables will help your health but when you want chocolate a banana just isn’t going to cut it!
I live by ‘nothing is unhealthy.’ You can have a treat providing it is in moderation. Banning foods or referring to anything as a ‘cheat’ will alter your mindset to give up as soon as anything deemed ‘not great.’
‣ Exercise
I don’t mean to join the closest gym. But getting off the sofa and getting out in the fresh air going for a walk will help you shift those unwanted pounds.
Of course, you can exercise within your means so if walking is not something you feel will work for you then try yoga or swimming.
Meditation is also a great way to exercise the mind, it won’t initially burn calories but it can help you regain a healthier mindset meaning a better diet and outlook for your future family.
‣ Eat Small and Often
Frequent smaller meals can help combat those snack times when you find you are nosing in the snack cupboard.
Prepping your meals so you don’t end up snacking while food is cooking can also help.
How to Prevent Weight Gain After Miscarriage
As mentioned previously some women are more vulnerable to gaining weight after a miscarriage but if gaining weight is something that concerns you then look at a few preventative measures below.
- Regain control of your diet as soon as you can.
- Exercise, be it moderate or intense as soon as you feel strong enough.
- Avoid comfort eating to boost your mood.
- Hydrate regularly.
- Surround yourself with people who can support you.
- Speak to a specialist if you wish to try again for a family.
- Allow your body to heal before diving into any drastic meal changes or calorie deficit diets.
- Gain emotional support from others and if you feel strong enough to speak out about your experience, this can help your emotional well being.
Wrapping Up
If you find you are gaining weight after a miscarriage it’s not too late to turn things around.
No one can ever truly understand the experience you have gone through. The physical demand on your body alongside the utterly heartbreaking emotions are personal to every woman who suffers a loss.
I have shared my own experience with you and what I found helped yet what works for you may be totally different. One thing I want to repeat is the need for support around you. Finding that inner balance to overcome your grief must come first before you jump toward any dietary changes.
Only you can lose the weight but please seek advice and help from support councilors, family, and friends they can help you on your journey.
