Bumps SmittenMiscarriage is one of the most challenging times not only for moms but also for the entire family. This is not just physically draining as it can also take a significant toll on a woman’s emotional and mental state.
Thus, no one can judge you if the weighing scale shows some increase. But is it normal to gain weight after a miscarriage?
Well, the simple answer is yes, it is normal and even common to gain some weight after you suffered a miscarriage.
There are actually many reasons why weight gain may occur, including depression, diet, hypothyroidism, and even a new pregnancy.
Depression
All women have different and unique bodies. Similarly, everyone, female and male alike, has a different way of dealing with grief and loss. It can be very difficult to lose the unborn baby that you already loved and dreamt about holding in your arms.
Women who have experienced a miscarriage tend to go through some bouts of grief and mourning. If they fail to overcome such stressful feelings, this can result in overeating in an attempt to fill the void.
Depression is a common and normal form of response after suffering a miscarriage. However, there are times when depression may manifest differently for you compared to others.
This means that there is a chance that even if you exercise regularly, you will still have a hard time losing weight, and this can be because you tend to turn to your comfort foods most of the time. You try eating your feelings when something makes you feel sad and lonely.
If you are reading this article at this moment and you have gone through a miscarriage not too long ago, remember that it is perfectly okay to feel whatever you are feeling right now, and just like everything else in life, this phase will soon pass.
Diet
Following a miscarriage, it may take some time for your body to realize that you are not pregnant anymore and it doesn’t require a high-calorie diet to maintain the health of the unborn baby.
This realization may take up to 10 days for a woman’s body to finally understand that it no longer needs a lot of calories and that it can already return to its normal diet before pregnancy.
hCG is the pregnancy hormone that shows in your blood test and denotes if you are pregnant or not. This hormone can also take some time to leave your body. This means that you may continue experiencing some pregnancy symptoms such as tender breasts and bloating that show a higher number on the weight scale.
The best thing you can do is to return to your pre-pregnancy diet at the soonest time possible. Drink lots of water and exercise regularly.
You can also try measuring your chest, stomach, and hips to determine if you are losing some weight. However, it is important to keep in mind that weight loss isn’t something that is supposed to occur in a few days or overnight.
This is a gradual process, and it may take some time for you to keep up with your new routine. Also, you should try to avoid pressuring yourself to lose that extra weight. You will get there soon and for now, the best thing you can do is to relax and take your sweet time.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is another common reason why you have a hard time losing weight following a miscarriage. Many women develop this condition as a result of fluctuating and drastic hormonal changes.
Your thyroid gland is a tiny gland shaped like a butterfly located in the neck, right on top of your collarbone. This gland is the one in charge of producing your body’s hormones. These hormones are responsible for controlling the rate of most body activities, such as the rate of your heartbeats or how fast the body burns off calories.
Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce sufficient thyroid hormones. The diagnosis of this condition requires doctors to suggest some solutions after they consider your physical examination, your medical history, and the thyroid tests including some blood work.
Pregnancy
Yes, your weight gain may also indicate that you are pregnant once again so weight loss may not be possible yet.
You probably think that you still need to wait for your next period after you attempt another pregnancy. However, you can begin to ovulate as soon as 2 weeks after a miscarriage. This means there are chances that you are not aware of it, but you are already pregnant again.
You also shouldn’t rely on a home pregnancy test since it only checks hCG’s presence in your urine, and there is a possibility that it will detect your hCG from your past pregnancy that hasn’t left your system just yet. It is best to consult your physician first for a blood test to confirm your pregnancy once and for all.
Tips to Avoid Gaining Weight After a Miscarriage
There are a few things you can do to ensure that you don’t end up gaining unwanted weight following a miscarriage:
- Avoid eating because of emotional triggers.
- Consume enough amount of water.
- Feel healthy and exercise.
- Allow your body to heal and recover.
- Switch back to your diet before pregnancy.
- Enjoy a nutritious and well-balanced diet.
- Don’t stress out yourself on things that you can no longer change.
- Try to eat healthier foods instead.
- Surround yourself with friends and family to feel loved.
- Always remember that everything will soon be okay and that it wasn’t your fault.
There are times when women still don’t lose weight despite exercising. It happens because of heavy changes in hormones that they experience after a miscarriage. Miscarriage is one of the most difficult things that a woman can go through that can lead to major depression.
The best way to cope with a miscarriage is to seek support and set your goals to lose weight without pressuring yourself too much.
