Weight loss during pregnancy is not something you should try to cause on purpose.
You don’t need to work out a plan alone or make sudden changes to your meals while you wait to talk. For example, don’t skip meals or cut portions to try to control your pregnancy weight. Instead, bring the concern to your care team and let them help you decide what to do next.
This can feel unsettling, especially when you’re already managing the everyday demands of pregnancy. A calm check-in gives you a chance to get guidance that fits your situation, rather than trying to solve the weight change by dieting on your own.
Why your weight may be going down
Nausea or difficulty eating can contribute to weight loss during pregnancy, so persistent trouble eating or drinking is worth discussing with your care team. For example, tell them if nausea makes it hard to keep meals down or you are struggling to drink enough. They can help you consider what may be getting in the way and what support fits your situation.
A drop in weight can matter even when you feel otherwise well: weight loss during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of having a small-for-gestational-age baby among pregnant people across obesity classes. [1] This is an association, not a prediction about what will happen in your pregnancy. Your care team can interpret your weight change alongside your health and how your pregnancy is progressing.
Try to notice practical patterns that may help explain the change, such as meals you have started skipping because of nausea or foods and drinks that have become difficult to manage. You do not need to judge yourself or guess at a safe amount of weight loss. If eating or drinking remains difficult, bring that specific concern to your care team so you can talk through next steps together.
What to tell your care team
Contact your prenatal care team with a clear picture of when your weight change began, whether it is still happening, and what has changed in your day-to-day eating or drinking. You do not need to have every detail figured out before reaching out; a few notes can help you explain what is going on and ask for guidance that fits your circumstances.
What to share
Tell the team when you first noticed the change and whether it has continued, stopped, or varied. For example, you might say, “I noticed my weight was going down last week, and it has continued this week,” or describe if it changed after a particular stretch of feeling unwell.
Mention any symptoms that make eating or drinking difficult, and explain how your usual intake has changed. You could note that you are having trouble keeping meals down, eating smaller amounts than usual, or drinking less because you feel unwell. Share what you have noticed in plain terms; you do not need to diagnose the cause.
Ask what they recommend for your situation, including what to do if symptoms are affecting your meals or fluids. Do not start a weight-loss plan or cut portions to manage pregnancy weight; pregnancy is not a time to try to lose weight [2]. If you are unsure what information would help, ask the team what they would like you to track before you check in again.
What if you started pregnancy at a higher weight?
If you started pregnancy at a higher weight, including with obesity, do not try to lose weight during pregnancy. [3] Your starting weight does not change that guidance, and trying to reach a lower number is not the goal for this stage.
If you are worried that you may gain more than you want, ask your care team how to support your health without pursuing weight loss. [2] You might say, “I’m concerned about my weight gain. What would you recommend for my health during this pregnancy?” That keeps the conversation focused on your needs rather than on dieting or a target number.
Your care team can help you think through practical choices that fit your circumstances. For example, you can ask what to do if you feel unsure about your food choices, or how to approach movement in a way that feels manageable. These are good questions to bring to a prenatal visit; you do not need to create a weight-loss plan on your own.
You deserve support without judgment, whatever your starting weight. If the discussion feels uncomfortable, you can tell your clinician that you want advice focused on your health and pregnancy rather than pressure to change your body.
Bring the concern up at your next check-in
The next step is to bring your concern to your pregnancy care team and ask what makes sense for you. You do not have to figure out on your own whether the change needs attention or how to respond; your care team can help you decide what to do based on your symptoms and pregnancy.
At your next check-in, you might say, “I’ve noticed my weight going down, and I’d like your advice about what to do next.” If you are unsure how to begin, write down your question before the visit or bring it up when your clinician asks how you are doing. Keep the conversation focused on the help you need, rather than trying to set a weight goal on your own. You should never try to lose weight during pregnancy. [2]
Ask for advice that fits your situation. For example, you can ask, “Given what I’m experiencing, what do you recommend?” If you have a concern before your next scheduled visit, contact your care team to ask when they would like to talk. The main thing to remember is that you do not need to manage unplanned weight loss alone: raise it with your care team and ask for guidance that considers your symptoms and pregnancy.