The nutritionist is driving me crazy!

I'm 33 and 1/2 weeks and have been in the hospital now for almost 3 weeks. I've only gained 22 pounds for the entire pregnancy, although my babies are gaining well and at the 50th percentile. The doctor had been encouraging me to gain more weight, but when I entered the hospital I lost a few pounds. I've held steady for the last week, but the nutritionists are concerned. They want me to gain more weight, and something about my blood count has them concerned about the amount of protein I'm eating. They already send me 6 meals a day. As soon as I finish eating, more food arrives! It's hospital food,but I try to eat as much as I can. I have horrid acid reflux as a side effect of the medications to stop the contractions, so eating would be difficult even if it tasted good! The kitchen will make me most anything I ask for, but the chefs are not very good. I've been getting a chocolate milk shake every day and adding protein powder to it. Any other suggestions to help me gain weight and get the nutritionists to relax?????

I know they're doing their job, and I appreciate that they are looking out for me and the babies, I just don't know what else to do! I'm not really hungry, the food is awful, and the reflux makes me nauseous.

Suggestions?? I want the babies (and me!) to be healthy, and I want to stay pregnant as long as possible.
WBB
33 weeks, 5 days pregnant with identical boys

 

How about adding the Boost high protein drinks. I drink one a day (chocolate) ice cold... and they really aren't bad. For me it's an easy way to get protein and calories in, especially when I don't have much of an appetite. Best of luck to you!! It must be very hard to be in the hospital!

-maria
32 wks with b/b twins

 

Can they give you something for the reflux? I am on Nexium now and it has worked wonders. I would try adding a couple of tbs. of peanut butter to your protein shakes as well.This will add protein, good fat, and extra calories. Maybe try the 3 protein shakes a day and take small sips throughout the day. That is what I do (I keep them in the fridge but you can have the RN's fill an ice bucket and put int in there at the bedside)it gives the babies the max nutrients and keeps you from getting too full to eat in between according to Dr. deLia. Can you have someone pack you a cooler of your fave snacks etc. every couple of days? It sounds like you are doing what you can-keep it up you are almost there!! :icon_biggrin:

 

I'd add the protein drinks (although I can't stand them!) and protein bars. I love the Luna and Kashi bars and they have lots of protein in them. I'd eat at least three a day. They aren't that filling, but are packed with protein. Good luck!

 

I had awful reflux and took prevacid. It worked really well for me.
Did you try eating more protein? I had GD so I was kind of restricted on the carbs and stuff but the protein really helped I think.

 

U may want to add an extra hard boiled egg white during breakfast, and I take Amway protein powder in all the beverage that I drink and also Ensure Plus to keep my protein (or reflected as albumin in your blood work) up. That should be what your nutritionist are so concerned about. I'm a dietitian myself and I am also concern about protein intake because all our babies tissue, nerves, skin, muscle development and growth needs it. If you realise that you've been losing muscle mass, then that can be one major tell-tale sign.

Take care!!

 

I drank lots of COLD vanilla Ensure's. I thought they were yummy! I think the p-nut butter idea is great too! And definitely have them help you with the reflux!! Good luck!

 

No advice for you, but I'm reading avidly, as I'm seeing a nutritionist as well..I've lost 30 lbs in the 17 weeks that I've been pregnant and I'm scared for the babies...

 

Thank you for all the ideas! And for giving me the word "albumin". That is what she said, she was just talking fast and even when I asked her to repeat it I didn't understand what she was saying. I'm sure my muscle mass is going away, I've been in bed now for almost 5 weeks!

I did ask for some protein shakes, and they were delivered to my room last night. Of course, the refrigerator is on the other side of the room and I can't reach it. I'm going to try the idea of the ice bucket so I can sip on one all day- I love that! I have some protein powder too, just wish I had a blender or something. I'll ask the nurse to add it to things as the opportunity arises, and hope it's not too chunky. I can't get too fancy on what I order from the dietary office - I think it's just teenager cooks. When I ask them to do unusual things it often comes out pretty disgusting! I asked for a yogurt smoothie, and they mixed yogurt and orange juice - YUCK!

I've been avoiding peanut butter because I saw a study linking peanut butter consumption, especially in the third trimester, with peanut allergies in the baby. Anybody else familiar with that?

They gave me pepcid for the reflux, which helps. But eating while laying flat, combined with the meds that relax my stomach muscles and make them less effective, are really the culprits. If I could just sit up then I think I'd do much better! I do prop up some to eat, because I know how important the nutrition is.

Thank you again!

 

If someone comes to visit -- a double cheese burger or one of those nice protein milkshakes from those fancy places with banana & pineapple ?? I loved cheesecake esp strawberry, just had one in the fridge and cut off a slice. Protein bars ? Ask a work-out guy which ones are the best.

 

There's a fancy gadget called the Magic Bullet that's like a mini blender. You could get one of those to mix protein powder into whatever you want. You could keep a little bottle of dish soap by your sink and have people wash it out when they come in to see you. Also, there are protein shakes through Quixtar that have a lot more protein per serving than others on the market. If you don't have a local IBO, let me know and I can hook you up with some. I got to a point in the pregnancy that I just didn't want to eat and shakes really helped me get the protein I needed. It definitely helped seeing as the babies were 6lbs 2oz and 8lbs 3oz at almost 38 weeks! Hang in there!

eta link to shakes: http://mfischer7.qhealthbeauty.com/product...x?itemno=104654