Weight Gain After Miscarriage

Miscarriage can not only be an emotionally draining experience but also physically draining. Among many other challenges that a woman may have to face after a miscarriage, losing the extra weight is one. Weight gain after a miscarriage is common and it can be hard for you to lose weight when you’re suffering emotionally because of the miscarriage; but you need not lose hope. With the right information on weight after a miscarriage and some effective weight loss tips, you can lose weight, and prepare for another pregnancy, if given a go-ahead by your doctor, very soon.

Is It Normal to Gain Weight After Miscarriage?

Yes, it is normal for a woman to gain weight after a miscarriage. It has been observed that a woman may register a substantial increase in her weight in a couple of weeks after the miscarriage. However, in some cases, the surge in weight can be seen soon after the miscarriage too.

What Causes Weight Gain After Miscarriage?

Are you wondering what may be the reason for this weight gain? Well, the following are some of the reasons that may put our view in perspective:

• The most common reason for weight gain after miscarriage is depression. A grieving mother may get so depressed that she may look for solace in food. Hogging on calories after calories may result in a substantial amount of weight gain.
• The fluctuating levels of hormones following a miscarriage may result in a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism may affect your metabolism and make it sluggish and thus may cause weight gain and fatigue. Thus fluctuating hormones after miscarriage may lead to weight gain.
• Most women may still be in the habit of eating a more calorie-rich diet as they may have been consuming when they were pregnant. Till the time they do not make the transition to eating a non-pregnancy diet, they may keep noticing an increase in their weight.
• Before a woman can even come off the shock of losing the baby, she may start ovulating again. Sometimes, women may not even realize, but they may be pregnant again. Thus pregnancy after a miscarriage may lead to weight gain too.

Tips to Lose Weight After Miscarriage

As you recover emotionally from your loss, we recommend that you adopt some of the following tips for the weight loss after a miscarriage so that you can prepare your body and your mind for another pregnancy.

1. Take Care of Your Calorie Intake

When you are pregnant you are required to include extra calories in your diet, however, after your miscarriage, it is important to reduce your calorie intake. It is recommended that you cut down approximately 500 calories from your diet. However, it will not be a good idea to drop your calories drastically to lose weight as the lost weight may bounce back. Go for a gradual decrease.

2. Add More Nutritional Foods

Your body becomes weak after a miscarriage, and in order to regain the lost energy and reduce that extra pregnancy weight, it is recommended that you include more nutritious food in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole wheat, eggs, meat etc. are some of the inclusions you should make instead of unhealthy, fried, oily and sugary foods.

3. Start Exercising

Exercising is a great way of losing weight, and the same holds true for losing the weight you have gained after your miscarriage. You may begin exercising as soon as you start feeling strong and healthy. Instead of doing strenuous workouts, it is suggested to take it slow and begin by doing moderate walks, cycling or swimming. However, before you plan to take up any kind of exercise to lose weight, it will be a good idea to take your doctor’s permission for the same.

4. Have Small But Frequent Meals

Instead of having three big meals during the day, opt for 5-6 small and frequent meals. Doing this may help you feel less hungry, which means fewer calorie intake. Make sure you eat three main meals that should include all the essential nutrients and include two small mini-meals that may include fruits or salads.

5. Meet a Specialist

Many times self-help does not work, and you may fail in your endeavours of losing weight, this could be because of some glitches on your part or some underlying medical condition. Therefore, it is recommended that you meet a specialist in the field who may help you with losing the extra weight.

How to Prevent Weight Gain After Pregnancy Loss?

Here are some tips that you may follow to prevent weight gain after a miscarriage:

• Drink adequate amount of water as it will keep toxins at bay and help you in losing weight.
• Do not worry much as more worry means more stress, which can make losing weight more difficult.
• Refrain from emotional binging. If you happen to crave for snacks, eat something healthy instead.
• Switch to your pre-pregnancy diet soon after your miscarriage.
• Begin exercising as soon as you start feeling healthy.
• Try and surround yourself with family and friends who love you unconditionally and are there for you always. This may help you in dealing with your emotional stress and may help you in losing weight too.
• Have a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
• Let your body recover and heal. Weight loss doesn’t happen overnight, and you may have to be patient and persistent with your efforts.
• If you are unable to cope with the weight gain, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help. Professional help can prove to be effective for you.

Why Some Women Are Not Able to Lose Weight Even If They Exercise?

Some women may experience trouble losing weight after a miscarriage, which may happen because of several reasons, such as hormonal disturbances, depression, maintaining a pregnancy diet or if a woman conceives again. However, if you have gained weight after miscarriage, you should seek medical advice. Your doctor may help you establish the real cause of your inability to lose weight and may guide you on how to do it in the best possible way.

FAQs

1. Is It Hard to Lose Weight Post Miscarriage?

Yes, some women may experience weight gain problems after miscarriage. It may happen due to major hormonal changes the body goes through after the miscarriage.

2. How Long Does It Take the Body to Return to Normal Shape After Miscarriage?

A body usually takes about a month to adjust back to its normal state after a miscarriage.

Miscarriage is a heart-wrenching experience that any woman may dread going through; however, it also comes with certain drawbacks such as excess weight. You may adopt any (or all) of the above-mentioned tips to lose weight. But before you go ahead with these tips, it will be a good idea to take your doctor’s advice on the same.

References/Resources:

1. Losing weight after pregnancy; medlineplus.gov; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000586.htm

2. Rose G. Radin, Sunni L. Mumford, Lindsey A. Sjaarda, et.al; Recent attempted and actual weight change in relation to pregnancy loss: A prospective cohort study; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5918461/; May 2018

3. What happens after miscarriage; pregnancybirthbaby.org.au; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/what-happens-after-miscarriage

4. Miscarriage; marchofdimes.org; https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/miscarriage-loss-grief/miscarriage

5. Miscarriage; betterhealth.vic.gov.au; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/miscarriage

Also Read:

Sex after Miscarriage
Tips to Heal After a Miscarriage
Pregnancy After  Your Miscarriage
Understanding the HCG Levels After Miscarriage