Can you "fatten up" the babies?

Okay, I have to constantly remind myself to eat. Not that I don't like food, just nothing sounds good that I am capable of cooking, blah, blah, blah.

But, now that I am over 26 weeks I have decided that my number one goal is fattening up the babies

So, my question is - is that even possible?
Do they gain weight based on what you eat or are they going to just weigh what they weigh no matter what you do?

I know I should already know this, but I don't.

I know some of it is genetic (if you and dh are big, babies are likely to be larger) and past history (if you had a big baby in the past, you may again). So, how much, if any - is based on the nutrients you take in?

I have read conflicting advice in some of the pregnancy books.

 

I am not 100% sure on the answer to your question! Babies will take what they need from your body regardless of what you eat...I think. Although, I did read that getting the nutrients from the food you eat, rather than it coming from your fat stores, is much much more healthy for them. Bottomline is that yes, you do need to eat to have healthy babies(which I know you know!). I think that adding something like Boost High protein drinks can help, if you are unable to meet your daily requirements for all of the nutrients. I was drinking 3 a day from 28 weeks on. I gained 47lbs, and the babies were a total of 12.5lbs.

 

Ive been reading the book by Dr. Pamela Luke. "When your expecting Twins, Triplets, and Quads. She has a diet in there that she recommends because her theory with multiples is to gain as much weight early on as possible to get those babies fat early just in case they have to be born early. Ive been follwing the diet and with triplets, I am eating ALL DAY LONG! It is a TON of food but Im hoping it pays off!!

 

I think the best evidence I've read is for those protein drinks... I think the protein goes far for helping the babies gain weight. Other than that I wouldn't be too concerned... I actually wouldn't bother with the drinks unless you have triplets or if your twins have TTTS or look like they might not be gaining weight well enough... If your twins are measuring at or above average or right on target for their gestation then I wouldn't alter your diet at all.. (unless you are really eating junk all the time...)

 

My OB said large amounts of protein can add up to larger babies. Women expecting twins should be eating 80-100 grams per day. This is what my OB said and what I've read.

 

My ob has me drinking protien shakes twice a day because I am not gaining weight like I should. I eat and eat and eat and yet am only 4 pounds over my pre-pg weight. The babies weights look good, but the doc said the more protein you can get in the better. She also suggested whole milk ice-cream as there is lots of calories and calcium. Who would have thought a doctor would tell you to eat icecream!!

 

I have the same problem that you have.. and at 28 weeks.. my babies we both over 3lbs. 70th and 50th %. I kinda try to eat high calorie foods.. I have gained 32 lbs so far.. some days i am just not hungry at all!!!

 

I dont have that problem at all. Both my babies were very large. My first was 8lb/6oz and my second son was 10 lb/2oz. I dont know about twins though. I assume that my twins are going to be fairly large also.

 

I had asked my OB about this a few appts ago, as my weight seems to have plateaued. I haven't gained in quite a while, yet he said the babies are fine & growing right on target. I suggested the protein shakes & he told me not to bother unless the boys slow their growth. My last growth u/s dropped them into the 20th & 40th percentiles (they had inaccurate readings on Baby A since Baby B was laying on him, so we know he's higher), which scared the daylights out of me...we've always been 40-50th percentiles. Again, I was told not to worry (even though my weight dropped...I'm only up 20lbs..at 34 wks anyway).

I tend to have a laid back OB though. I know some Peris are more anal about weight. I guess I'll find out how big my 'little guys' are when they're born! I'm hoping to get them over 5lbs....which they should be by now. I have heard that the more a mama gains, the better the babes do...and I tried...but either I had NO appetite (in the beginning & middle) or just could NOT put on weight (now).

I'm curious to hear other's responses to this....

 

A weight gain of at least 24 lbs. by 24 weeks and a total weight gain of at least 45 lbs. is recommended by Dr. Barbara Luke ("When you're expecting twins, triplets or quads"). It is not too late to gain weight. High calorie protein drinks inbetween meals are a great way to gain and "fatten" up the babies. Ensure Plus has 350 calories, instead of the usual 250. I gained large amounts of weight with all my (3) twin pregnancies. My first two twin pregnancies ended successfully in my 40th week with great baby weights (7 lbs. 11 oz., 7 lbs. 13 oz., 7 lbs. 15 oz and 9 lbs. 1/4 oz.). Our third twin pregnancy was ttts afflicted and the babies had to be taken out at 24 weeks. They are survivors and weighed 2 lbs. 4 oz and 1 b. 9 oz., which were great weights for the week. So, I am definitely an advocate for a large weight gain with multiples because I believe that my weight gain saved our last set of twins.
If you are having issues with an adequate weight gain, please buy the book I mentioned above and don't be afraid of getting that double whopper with a huge milk shake when the appetite strikes you. You can always have a salad on the side to get your vitamins, LOL. But now is not the time to skip any (hearty) meals. Bon apetite!

 

QUOTE(HealysBakersDozen @ Jul 8 2007, 01:33 PM) [snapback]321620[/snapback]
A weight gain of at least 24 lbs. by 24 weeks and a total weight gain of at least 45 lbs. is recommended by Dr. Barbara Luke ("When you're expecting twins, triplets or quads"). It is not too late to gain weight. High calorie protein drinks inbetween meals are a great way to gain and "fatten" up the babies. Ensure Plus has 350 calories, instead of the usual 250. I gained large amounts of weight with all my (3) twin pregnancies. My first two twin pregnancies ended successfully in my 40th week with great baby weights (7 lbs. 11 oz., 7 lbs. 13 oz., 7 lbs. 15 oz and 9 lbs. 1/4 oz.). Our third twin pregnancy was ttts afflicted and the babies had to be taken out at 24 weeks. They are survivors and weighed 2 lbs. 4 oz and 1 b. 9 oz., which were great weights for the week. So, I am definitely an advocate for a large weight gain with multiples because I believe that my weight gain saved our last set of twins.
If you are having issues with an adequate weight gain, please buy the book I mentioned above and don't be afraid of getting that double whopper with a huge milk shake when the appetite strikes you. You can always have a salad on the side to get your vitamins, LOL. But now is not the time to skip any (hearty) meals. Bon apetite!



my babies were beginning to fall on the percentiles around the 32nd week. and i really upped what i was eating. i was only eating when i was hungry as this is what they tell you to do. i have really upped my protein (steak every day); milk - 7 cups a day; and yogurt. for the last 4 weeks - my babies growth has doubled. my husband and i laugh becuase we know it sound crazy. but, we also know its working. i think as much protein you can get in you the better!

 

Everyone is different, so it is hard to say 100%.

I think that if you are eating mostly healthy foods at fairly regular intervals, that you and the babies will be fine. Don't stuff food into you, just to eat. The protein people mentioned is great, but don't go crazy about it. If your doc isn't concerned, don't stress yourself out.

I gained 35 lbs and my girls were each 5.8 lbs at birth (37.5 weeks). I ate well for the most part (forced myself to eat chicken during my pregnancy, since I didn't desire meat during those almost 9 months) and had frequent healthy snacks.

Do the best you can and have a positive attitude. It can make a surprising difference.

Ellen

 

My doc said the 24 pounds by 24 weeks is a lot. I only gained 14 pounds by that time ... my babies always measured ahead and were born big. I am a normal eater, pretty healthy but really nothing special. Defenitely no protein shakes. I liked bagels, lots of fruit and lots of water / vitamin water. But that was about it. I snacked quite a bit too. I gained 43 pounds in 38 weeks including 13 pounds in the last 3 weeks due to excessive swelling. My babies were 15 1/2 pounds together, and after less than a week I lost all my pregnancy weight.