Weight gain

I am having a really hard time gainig weight. I'm 17 weeks and I've only gained 6 pounds. I have the Dr. Luke book and it has me paranoid because it states that I should gain 20 pounds by 20 weeks. I had severe morning sickness and has to be put on Zofran. I've been off of it for about three weeks now. I am drinking Ensure's a couple of times a day to give me extra calories and I put protein powder in my oatmeal in the morning. I eat well, very healthy and I eat about 6-7 times a day. I do have an adversion to beef and chicken, it sends me right into a morning sickness bout when I smell it.

I'm just worried because I want strong healthy babies. They measured well at the 13 week first tri screening. Both right on time and there were no issues, all came back normal.

I was the same with my DD, I actually lost 12 pounds in my first trimester with her and ended up gaining 30 pounds. She was 7lbs 9oz.

 

Everyone is different and I wouldn't worry too much about it. I was just like you and only gained a bit of weight in the beginning, but by the end I gained 40lbs. I will catch up to you...don't worry!

 

As long as your doctor is not concerned, I wouldnt be. I lost 10 lbs and gained 16 back so looking at my pre pregnancy weight, I was only 6 lbs over it. After birth I lost 28.5 lbs so I am at a weight I havent been for years. I delivered at 34 weeks 5.2 lbs and 5.0lb so I wouldnt worry too much!

 

I think you'll be okay, too. I was worried about this a couple of months ago. But, starting at about 20 weeks, I did begin to put weight on. I am sure it will come. And, as long as the babies are measuring well, that's what matters. I have the Dr. Luke book, too, and personally think some of the recommendations are excessive. Some of her "snack" ideas are the size of my full meals. I just cannot eat that much. I do drink at least a gallon of water a day and make sure to get enough protein and calcium. Good luck.

 

I asked my doctor the same question last week. I've only gained 6 lbs. and he said it was an ok pace for now, as the babies are healthy and measuring just right, if not a little big. He told me not to worry about it for now. As long as your babies are healthy and you are eating all the right things, I wouldn't worry about the number right now.

 

Thanks Ladies! That makes me feel a lot better. I am eating well and often, thanks for the reassurance.

SC-ITA about the food recommendations. It feels so overwhelming to read that book and think that I must wat 4-5 eggs a DAY. Who am I? Rocky Balboa!? :rotflmbo:

 

Yes, some of the food recommendations are really unrealistic! I couldn't eat that way if I wanted to. I just eat when I'm hungry mostly, or remind myself to if it's been too long (I'm starting to lose my appetite more the bigger I get) and I allow myself to indulge in high calorie things although I try to focus on things that are also full of good stuff for me and babies. But when it comes down to it like the Dr. Luke book says sometimes you really just need the calories! My dietician said the same thing...that often Moms get so wrapped up in eating "healthy" and they wonder why they're not gaining enough on salads, protein, milk products, etc. She really encouraged me to have lots of treats as long as they aren't completely empty calories and are mixed in with other straight up healthy foods.

I hadn't gained any weight by 15 or 16 weeks, but I ended up still gaining 20 by 20 weeks amazingly. Once my nausea was gone and I gave myself the green light to indulge a bit the weight came on easier than I'd thought. In fact now it's still coming on well and I KNOW I'm not eating enough for that to be happening for example if I wasn't preggo, so I think on some level your body also really takes control and stock piles the calories where it needs to regardless of how/what you eat.

Don't worry about it, but I'd say allow yourself to eat ice cream and even the occasional super high cal fast food meal. It's okay!

 

I'm a little over 25 weeks and I've only gained 8lbs so far. My Dr. thinks my gain is perfect and our twins measure right on target. I have to agree with the other posters that Dr. Luke's meal ideas are a little much.

 

I'm 24 weeks and I've gained 8 lbs. My doctor isn't worried, and the twins each measure in the 75th percentile as of last week, so I guess I'm fine. I'm sure now is the big gaining time, but I was overweight to start, so I just eat when I feel like it and not worry about it anymore. I read the Luke book too and had a little worry session over being heavier and having to each so much and gain so much, but my body seems to be taking care of itself.

 

This was my thought as well. :good: If your doctor isn't showing any concern, you are probably okay. What dr. Luke says is just a guideline, not the hard rules of weight gain. :hug: I'm sure many woman don't gain exactly what is suggested. I think I went over the recommend weight gain. When is your next u/s? I'm sure you will be more at ease when you see the babies are growing and doing great.

 

I would not worry at all. To date, i have only gained a total of 23 lbs & 4lb of that was just gained this past week and I will be 35 weeks tomorrow. Both my OB & Peri were never concerned. Both babies are on target with weight gain. They told me as long as the babies are gaining properly, theres no need to worry.

 

I am 31 almost 32 weeks and I have only gained 25 lbs. Most of it in the last about 6 weeks. My babies have always measured right on target. Like everyone else said I wouldn't worry unless your doctor is worried!

 

My personal opinion is put down the Dr. Luke book and go with what your OB says. Not sure what your starting weight was - but it's very common to lose at first. I'm overweight (not by a whole lot though), and my first OB said he wanted me to gain 40-50lbs this pregnancy! When I transferred to a Peri, they said no more than 19lbs. Well here I am at 23 weeks and I've only gained maybe 3lbs. I only started actually gaining about a week or so ago.

Ask your OB about this - and hopefully they will put your worries to rest. Don't worry - that weight will pile on when those babies start to really get bigger!!

 

Holly, I was about 140 when I started this pregnancy. I'm 5ft 7 in so I'm in the normal range for weight. I was told to gain 40-45 pounds with this pregnancy. My next aapointment is on the 28th and I am trying to work in an u/s.

I decided to weight myself this morning and I was 149 so it's happening, just slower than I anticipated.

 

I'm 8 weeks and have already gained 10 lbs. I wish I had your problem. I'm already in maternity clothes and feel like a beached whale.

 

I've only gained 22 pounds most in the last month and a half, and the boys are mon/di and so far so good, I wouldn't worry, my doctor hasn't said anything and my midwife said that she thinks that is why I have so much energy now, with my son I had gained a total of 65 pounds when I got to delivery and the last 2 months I was more tired that I was now.

 

I think it sounds like you've done a great job so far!

 

With my 4 singles, I was underweight to start out and ended up gaining a total of about 50 lbs. I started this pregnancy at my ideal weight of 145lbs and have "only" gained 44 lbs here at 36 wks. I was concerned too, especially when it seemed to be going slowly there between the first and second trimesters--I mostly don't want to get sick myself after they are born and want to build up myself in order to breastfeed and take care of them [and my older kids]....everyone seems to be okay with the weight gain, so I'm not worried, although I do make sure to eat as much as possible... [including the extra calories of ice cream, etc.!!]

 

I have only gained about 30 pounds this entire pregnancy and my doctor thinks I'm fine. You dont necessarily need to pork out to carry healthy babies. I certainly wouldnt try to gain the kind of weight the Dr. Luke book suggests. Just eat as much as you can, as well as you whenever you can and your babies will do fine. Unless your doctor tells you that there's a problem, I wouldnt worry about weight.

 

I was over weight to begin with and actually lost 5 lbs one week. I gained around 20lbs total with them

 

At 17 weeks I was still 15 pounds under my starting weight. It came on quickly enough, and here approaching 32 weeks, I'm 30 lbs up from my lowest point. You'll be fine! As my midwives pointed out, "It'd be different if you were malnourished before, but just eat what you can and get through."

 

Like the girls have said everyone gains at diff times, and if your doc isnt worried, then you shouldnt. I only started gaining around the 20 week mark. I am now almost 27 weeks and up 16lbs total. You are doing fine.b

 

I am readin the book as well and freaking out. 3500 calories a day! I have gained about 10 lbs and I am 15 weeks. My Dr said that is fine, I am eating a lot. I don't know what is right, but the book does seem excessive...

 

I gained absolutely no weight until I was 21 weeks pregnant. I started out in the average weight range for my height. I also had horrible morning sickness until I was 17 weeks. My girls were born perfectly healthy at 36 weeks and 4 days weighing 5 7 and 6 even. I read that same book and was soooo nervous! Its not required for a healthy pregnancy. I believe that eating when you are hungry is the best way to have a healthy pregnancy Good luck!

 

As long as you are able to eat well now I'm sure everything will be ok. I'm in the same boat as you. I'm 13 weeks and have had severe nausea and vomiting. Zofran really seems to be helping now but so far I have actually lost 2 pounds. My doctor isn't too concerned because the twins are measuring well and he said they will take what they need from my body... even though it left me feeling exhausted.