My doctor broke up with me

She actually gave me a choice, but recommended that I switch over to a high risk specialist, the same one I saw last week when they gave me the IUGR diagnosis. She said it would just be easier on me since she would continue to send me over there for most of the scans anyway, and it would reduce the travel and different appointments at different locations. She offered to coordinate everything with the high-risk doctor for me. I agreed, because I do want the best possible care, so I guess I'll be getting a new doc.

Toward the end of the visit I told her that I had started following Dr. Barbara Luke's eating plan from the "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quadruplets" book. She wasn't familiar with the book but advised me not to start a high calorie eating plan until I spoke with the other doctor. She said it would not be in my best interest to gain a lot of weight - I am overweight, but not morbidly obese or dangerously overweight. I'm actually very healthy and active despite the extra pounds. Anyway, she said that eating more would not make my babies grow bigger. She said my issue is most likely related to the placenta and nothing to do with nutrition. Although I've been really happy with my doctor, I am now so confused. I think the advice in Dr. Luke's book makes a lot of sense, and I am willing to try anything to help my babies get bigger. I just feel confused and discouraged. Was anyone else discouraged from trying this eating plan? Would you consider doing it anyway without talking to a doctor about it? I am thinking it may not hurt to do this for one more week until my appointment with the new doctor.

I had a scan today to check the babies' growth but don't have results yet. The tech (a different one) was able to tell me that they had grown, but they didn't give me any other results. They were going to fax them to my doctor this afternoon and I am waiting on that call.

 

The OBs I've talked to are funny about Dr. Luke. They don't believe her advice about nutrition, but do believe her research on optimal gestation time. I'm the opposite.

OBs have been all over the map with advice on nutrition, today and historically. I don't get it, it makes intuitive sense that a twin mom would have higher protein needs. You're building 2 babies! But maybe there's science I don't know about.

If I were you, I would keep up with Dr. Luke's recommendations generally - get lots of good protein, liquids, fruits and veggies. Minimize sugar and complex carbs. Pretend almost like you've got GD. It's a healthy way of eating. Then see what the specialist says.

 

My doctor didn't want me to eat high-calorie either. I am overweight and have enough extra anyway She did encourage me to increase protein and to not eat anything without eating some protien with it in some form or another. Your new doctor may refer you to a nutritionist when you go over there to help you get on a good plan.

 

My doctors were a bit unfamiliar with Dr. Luke's book, too. They dismissed the diet as having no effect. Well, I ate according to it (LIKE A COW), am overweight, dropped all the pounds plus within 6 weeks and delivered a 6lb 2oz and 5lb 7oz baby at 37w 5d. Despite the C-Section, they were healthy (some jaundice, but never enough for the lights).

I am in the camp that there is research backing up Dr. Luke's claims. She also has credentials as the head of U of M's Multiples Clinic. Can you tell I'm a fan? IMO the average OB or peri is not as specialized to deal with multiples as she is. I'd rather go with an expert than a doc who deals with pregnancy or high risk pregnancy generally.

Good luck with whatever you decide- it's very hard.

 

Oh, BTW my perinatologist is the top peri for Houston and frequently delivers the highest risk babies for Texas Children's Hospital.

 

For now, I'm sticking to it. I don't see how it could possibly hurt. At this point we're only talking about 3-4 months of high calorie eating and I don't see that doing a whole lot of damage. I could gain 50 more pounds I suppose, but if my babies get bigger it will be worth it to me. If the doctor speaks to me about my diet or gaining too much weight, or they start to see some kind of negative impact from weight gain, then I can always change course.

 

:good:
I think as long as you are getting the calories from a healthy source it cant hurt!!
Good luck!!

 

I'm 24 weeks and my doctor hasn't even mentioned weight, diet, or food to me in the entire time that I've seen him. At all. In fact, all he does is measure me and send me on my way. I feel like I don't know what I am doing in this pregnancy because he just measures, finds heartbeats, and is done. That's all he's ever done during my pregnancy.

 

higher protein is optimal for TTTS babies as is bedrest but I don't know if it helps IUGR...I ate like a horse, (and am overweight as well) gained 30 lbs and still delivered 3.8 and 4.8 lb babies (term)...I didn't care for Dr. Luke's book - the attitude I got from the book was "if you don't follow this book to the letter you'll deliver small sick babies"...

 

My OB only wanted me to gain about 30 lbs with the twins but I followed Dr. Luke's diet and ended up gaining 60. I lost all of the weight I gained plus some by 4 months postpartum and the babies were 7lbs 2oz and 7lbs 4oz at 37w 1d.

 

Do you already have a new high risk Dr? I saw Dr Ginsberg (high risk) and loved him so much!!! He was on Michigan Ave. out of Northwestern.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I do have a new doctor, Dr. Borders, who is also out of Northwestern. I saw her only once before when I went to Prentice for an u/s and she is the one that diagnosed IUGR. She wasn't officially my doctor yet at that point, but I'll be seeing her next week, and after that I think I could be seeing others in the same practice as well. I'll find out more about those details at my next appointment. I will keep Dr. Ginsberg in mind if things don't work out. Dr. Borders is pregnant, so I want to speak with her about whether she'll be able to care for me throughout my pregnancy and deliver my babies or if she has a leave planned soon.

 

I never did a high calorie diet and my kids were all big. I really believe that some people make big babies, some people make small babies, others will stay small when born small (or big) and the other way around (apart from medical issues of course). I am not saying it can hurt or it can't help, but I would talk to the doctor first, but that's me.

All my kids were born at Northwestern / (old) Prentice but I never saw a high risk doctor, so can't help you with that. Miss the hospital, the city, everything! Good luck!

 

I guess my POV is that my babies are at risk because they are smaller than they should be and I am willing to do anything within my power to improve their chances for life and good health. Although I'd read some of the book, I wasn't following this nutrition plan before because I wasn't concerned about their size and quite honestly, the idea of eating that much was overwhelming. Two weeks ago, the doctors were concerned at my growth scan - Baby A was small for gestational age and Baby B was IUGR, but when I asked what I could do, I was told "nothing". I know this diet plan may not make a difference, but I am willing to give it a try, because to me it is better than being passive and doing nothing.