weight gain...

Ok, I get it, I'm overweight. Technically I'm obese but my body type (were you to look at my fat content) is more like overweight because I also have a lot of muscle weight from martial arts. Still, I had an appointment right before Thanksgiving and then one yesterday. There were THREE holidays that I celebrate in between (we do Hanukkah and Christmas), plus work parties plus a niece's birthday. I gained 7 pounds between the appointments, but at 18 weeks I had only gained 9 which was way off my goal chart to begin with.

I got a mini-lecture on how I need to slow down or I'll need a c-section! You know what? I'm eating when I'm hungry and that's why the hunger signal was put in our bodies in my opinion. I wouldn't think an extra 2-3 pounds over the holidays would be that much of a surprise that she had to start telling me I was putting myself more at risk for a c-section. I'm 4'9" tall, having twins and I have one that has been transverse for 6 weeks now... it's not like I don't know that I have risk factors that might make a vaginal delivery impossible!

Argh, she really upset me. Other than a few holiday meals I've really been trying to control the cravings, it's just hard this time of year! Is 16 pounds at 22 weeks really so much that I should be trying to not gain more between the next two appointments? That seemed to be what she was getting at.

 

According to Dr. Barbara Luke's recommendations for moms with multiples - she recommends 20 lbs by 20 weeks. Have you read her book? It's a great resource for diet and avoiding complications. Maybe your midwife was just cautioning about quick weight gain and wanting you to be sure to regulate to about 1 lb per week here on out - that's generally the thought - the more steady the weight gain, the better. I'm with you though ... a few parties over the Holidays generally adds a couple of extra pounds. I'd just watch and be sure to eat lots and lots of protein and drink loads of water!! You'll be great!

 

Maybe it has to do with your short stature? I know that my OB wouldn't have blinked an eye if I had gained 16 pounds by 20 weeks, but then again, I've got at least 14 inches on you!

 

My OB thinks I should gain 20-25 pounds total! Dr. Luke recommends 30-35 by 37 weeks for my weight category, and I'm behind on that. She was seriously telling me to slow down! Like with hand motions and all...

 

You're doing fine. I'm sure she is just a little uncomfortable that you gained a good chunk of that weight during those four weeks and doesn't want that type of gain to continue.

Have you discussed the factors you mentioned (transverse presentation and your small stature) with her and asked how likely she believes it will be for you to have a vaginal delivery?

Keep your chin up, girl!! Sixteen pounds at 22 weeks is great!

 

So what if you end up having a C-section??? You will not be the first woman to have a C-Section with twins, not the last. I had a C-section and I can tell you it's not a big deal. Yeah, maybe I would have healed faster without it, but I was pain free a week after delivery and I only took painkillers twice a day in the morning and evening, for a week. I am not an overweight person though.

I would just advise you not to overdo it with sweets so you don't end up having gestational diabetes - that advise is coming from a person who was having at least an icecream a day while pregnant during summer . 16 pounds by 22 weeks is not a lot. Good luck and I hope you have an easy pregnancy and delivery!

Happy New Year everyone!

 

My OB said 35-45 total and I put on 52. He only ever said something when I gained 11 pounds in 2 weeks but it wasn't mean or a lecture and I didn't leave feeling bad, just aware of how to add baby weight (lots of protein and less carbs)otherwise I agree... eat when you are hungry eat healthy and you will have a good pregnancy! Also, I had baby B transverse the entire time and he ws still that way at delivery... vaginal! The Dr. just delivered him feet first. He did great no NICU time and they both came home with me! So just because your baby is transverse and you are short (I am only 5'2) does not rule out a vaginal birth if that is what you want to try! Good luck

 

Thanks ladies, I appreciate the support. I will be speaking with my actual OB next time (I've seen a different midwife for a few appointments) and will ask whether a vaginal delivery is something they will attempt as long as the babies look good and baby A is head down. She flips a lot (she's got so much room) but has been head down at every ultrasound so far.

I figure if I normally gain about 2-3 pounds during the holidays then that is normal for me and the baby weight is 4 pounds just like it should have been...

I don't know, after losing 35 pounds on Weight Watchers it's rough to know I'm trying hard but they are still unhappy with me. I won't end up gaining less than 25 pounds but I'm ok with gaining up to 35 like Dr. Luke says.

On a side note, the midwife said they try to encourage all women under 5 feet to try to walk in looking taller when they are in labor... I will have to ask about that too, I wonder if my stature is going to make whoever is on call at the hospital when it's time push for a c-section? I know legally I can fight for my right for a vaginal delivery if I feel it's safe which is why I'm researching what makes a c-section truly necessary. My height obviously is not something that would, it took me 10 minutes to push out my daughter.

 

Argh! I hate hearing stories like this. THis happened with my first son. I didn't gain any weight the first 4 months, I gained 2 pounds the 5th month and the 6th month I gained 8 pounds. I went in and met with the nurse practicioner and she gave me a hard time about it. How seriously irritating. The doctor with this pregnancy would like to see me gain 20 pounds by 20 weeks she said.... that obviously isn't going to happen since I'm down about 15 pounds at 15 weeks, but nevertheless she said that Dr. Barbara Luke's book is a great guide to go by. FYI, she even said this to me a person who is overweight, but prior to pregnancy also very fit and healthy. Best of luck, and I hope you don't have any more trouble with your midwife bullying you about your weight!

 

It sounds like your doctor doesn't realize there are TWO babies in there, not one. Gain as much as you want, as long as the babies are healthy. I gained 50 pounds with my boys and I didn't need a c-section! I seriously would have laughed in her face if she said that to me. :lol:

 

IMO 16 pounds at 22 weeks is awesome. I gain so much weight when I'm pregnant. I can't help it, I am ravenous the entire time I'm pregnant and I don't have morning sickness. The same thing happened with my OB telling me to slow down the weight gain when I was pregnant with the twins. It crushed me at the time.

I would not worry about how much you gain, as long as you are eating when you are hungry. Don't make yourself go hungry, you are pregnant! There is time for dieting later.

 

Agree with this!

I gained 70 and lost all within a month of delivery (summertime + bloating = weight gain).

 

I was actually pretty proud of myself, I have gained 5 pounds over the holidays not pregnant in the past! I will just get through this weekend's celebrations and get back to normal eating and not worry about it.

Oh, and my doctor does know there are 2, her original suggestion before the ultrasound that found 2 babies was 10-15 lbs! When I called after realizing that she didn't tell me an adjusted weight gain goal she said something about a Dr. she knows that would say 11-17 pounds for me even with having twins. I'm guessing they're focusing completely on my height which would make sense if I were narrow... I'm not petite, just short.

 

I think that even with your height it's unrealistic to only expect to gain 20-25 lbs. Some women do, mind you, but if you are maintaining your current weight and you add in a good 10-15 lbs of baby in there (if you get close to full term!), plus placenta and fluid. Eat when you're hungry and eat healthy things and you'll be just fine!

 

I'm 5'0", and I gained 70lbs with the twins (126 before, 196 day of birth) It was HARD for me to lose it afterwards, but I did. I certainly didn't lose it quickly - it took me about 8 months to get back to 145, at which point I got pregnant again. But I was consistant and determined to lose it.

I can't remember how much I had gained by 22 weeks, but I do know the majority of my weight gain came I think between weeks 28-36(when they were born).

I purposefully ate a lot of high fat foods and protein though, since I had PTL that put me on bedrest at 22 weeks. The girls were still born at only 5 lbs. each so I don't regret pound of that weight gain.

 

I work on a very busy Mom baby Unit. Weight gain during pregnancy has NOTHING to do with if you will need a c Section or not!! I gained 73 lbs with my first, 53 with my second and 18 with my twins...all 4 were vaginal. Ignore her, eat as healthy as you can and enjoy!

 

Errr...I gained 90lbs and managed to deliver vag. Lost 70lbs first week pp and another 10 the second week pp. It was primarily water weight (lots and lots of water due to pre-e). Like others have said, sounds like you're doing just fine. Eat sensibly when your body tells you you're hungry. You've have two babies to feed and grow.

 

Thanks for the support! I am just going to have to keep focusing on healthy eating and getting my protein in. Like the PP said, if it takes me gaining more weight than my doctor wants me to in order to have healthy sized babies then it is more than worth it. Other than one of my cousins all of the women in my family has given birth to small babies, we just make them small!

 

Im glad everyone has been so honest about their weight gain because I have always been kind of a freak about my weight. Im very active and very concious of my body and weight... Being pregnant with twins has forced me to chill out. I am 26 weeks and at 46lbs gained already and I can not believe it. As hard as it is to see the numbers climb I have to remember, 1. I have 2 babies growning inside of me 2. I've been on a modified bed rest since my first trimester and 3. Everyone is different. My OB talked to me about my concerns and he thinks a lot of the weight is from fluid retention and continues to encourage me to eat healthy foods and if I'm hungry, Eat. Its really important to trust your body and know that you are providing those babies with everything they need requardless of the way they are delivered! Eat up mama and stay confident. Not all great doctors have great bedside manners and communication skills! It's your body and they are your babies, it sounds to me like you are doing just fine! Good Luck!

 

I'm with Aimee!

I gained 100 lbs! And i was GLAD! I had TWO six lb babies (sharing ONE placenta!) at 35 weeks who were healthy as can be (scheduled cesarean- I WANTED ONE- lol).

Anyway, no one dared tell me I was gaining too much weight! I would have been FURIOUS! I ate and ate cuz I knew it was good for the babies and I wanted big ones!

Eating is GOOD for you and for them and I'd switch docs if someone told me that! I really would. Read Dr. Luke's book. Today. You just might switch Doctors.

GL! I wouldn't worry a BIT about weight gain, as Aimee said- you have all the time in the WORLD to lose it AFTER the pregnancy. Get those babies BIG and strong now.

Hugs!

 

One more thing- I just have to say, that as a society, we are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hung up on being thin, that it has made it's way into pregnancy and when we're talking multiple pregnancies it just gets dangerous. Those babies NEED those calories! I'm sorry you had to deal w/ that.