Weight gain.....or lack of! When to worry

[Mrsb999]

I'm currently 15+3. In my first 9 weeks I lost 11lbs due to Hyperemesis, since then I have gained the grand total of 1.9 lbs. I'm still sick usually first thing in the morning on an empty stomach dispite still being on cyclizine.

I'm still struggling to eat a lot and get full very quickly

Should I be worried about baby not getting enough nutrients or am I worrying about nothing?

Today for example I have eaten

2 x pieces of toast
Half a mug of homemade veg soup
2 x rice cakes
2 x small clementines
1 x nectarine

And I'm stuffed, really stuffed!

Any advice would be great x

[soapnuts]

I'm 28 weeks and still the same weight as I was before pregnancy - despite 3 months of hyperemesis hell I didn't lose much weight at the beginning but I think it's all balancing out now and I'm not putting any on! My doctor is not worried. As long as you're not starving yourself (which if doesn't sound like you are) and the baby was measuring correctly when you have scans, I wouldn't be too worried. A lot of countries don't even weigh pregnant women now because it's not a great indicator of whether it's the baby or the mother who us actually putting on the weight.
Make sure you're taking a pregnancy vitamin and eat small amounts regularly and it should be fine.

[MsElisaDay]

Sounds about right to me...
Although I didn't lose anything with morning sickness, I didn't gain much by 15 weeks. I was showing a little bit in my skinny jeans, but had only gained two or three pounds, if that.
The baby will be getting all the nutrients it needs, as long as you're not starving yourself - which you're not, by the looks of it.
For me, the weight didn't really start going on until 20 weeks. Until then I just looked a bit bloated!

[xmasevebundle]

Im 28+3 and im the same!

I eat breakfast, lunch(sometimes) and a huge dinner. I use to be a huge eater.

My boy weighs 3lb as i had a scan and hes quite heavy for that age.

I have put on 6-7lb since i found out i was pregnant. Your baby takes all the 'good' nutrients and we get the left overs!

I have on a normal day, 2 pieces of toast with a glass of milk or orange juice.

Lunch a pasty of some sort or anything light.

Dinner i have a king feast! Lots of chips with cheese. Big roast etc. This suits me more than having bigger lunch than breakfast.

I drink mostly water too, as time goes on you will become more hungry!

[CityDweller]

I've not been sick, had a few weeks of eating anything that stayed still long enough for me to put it in my mouth, and at 14 wks I've put on about 4lbs. So you sound fine to me. But, re your diet - not much protein in there! Try to add some at least to what you're eating...

[zigwig]

I wouldn't worry too much. I had the same trouble being sick all first trimester, lost over a stone in the end. I'm now 16 weeks and able to eat better but I've only put back on about 2lb. I still weigh far less than before I got pregnant.

[Mrsb999]

Thanks for the replies - I've been reading the 'I'm a disgrace' thread and am totally jealous!

Re the protein I totally agree and I thought the same myself when I looked at what I'd typed, will have some at tea time and going to get some cooked chicken bits in to snack on

[MrsHBaby3]

i was wondering the same thing, i have been really sick with this pregnancy which has affected my appetite, currently on cyclizine so holding food down a bit and getting the urge to eat. im 20 wks and have only put on 4lbs. im wondering if thats enough and plan to check with my gp at my appt next wk.

[mrsbugsywugsy]

Try not to worry - I think that the baby takes the nutrients it needs and you will be the one who suffers.

Could you manage a handful of nuts for some protein?

[daerwen]

Im having the same prob, my bmi is 18. a week after the 10th week i lose a kilo, then my morning sickness peaked till the 13th. i can't take a lot of food, just a few spoons. i really wanted to eat but bcos i fear i might throw up i just take a few then eat again once hunger strikes. i know how you feel, and its really difficult since we worry if the baby's getting enough nutrients. another thing i worry about my weight, is if i can handle breastfeeding. with my little weight im afraid the baby can't get enough milk from me. im already in the 14th week now and eating a bit better. i just cling in to the hope of cathcing up since baby and me have still few more months to go! so lets not lose hope we can still gain weight! :D

[panicnotanymore]

If you are struggling to eat try to make everything you do manage matter. You need protein for both you and the baby, essential fatty acids (to build the baby's brain and nervous system), iron as your body is massively increasing your blood volume, calcium for bones etc

Could you substitute an egg with a little spinach on toast in place of of 2 pieces of toast, eat snacks like yoghurt with nuts, or a small portion of tinned salmon in a wholemeal sandwich? It is all well and good to say the baby will be fine because it will take from your reserves, but you need your reserves to maintain your health and speed up your recovery post birth.

It is very hard when you are feeling sick, but keeping blood sugar stable will reduce sickness. Your food diary for the day is entirely carbs and fruit/veg which will be giving you blood sugar spikes and drops. Protein foods and dairy will slow down the release of sugar and really help with sickness.

[Paradisefound]

I am the same lost over a stone in weight and still can't eat properly. Been taking ensure plus shakes, high calorie, high protein. Very slowly weight going back on and feeling better and less worried. Get them on prescription, not cheap.

[daerwen]

hi paradise, have you experienced vomiting ur food cus u can't take it anymore? cus it happens to me all.the time. hmm ensure can't be bought wo prescription? thanks

[Paradisefound]

Yes you can buy ensure wo prescription, just google it. Just been to drs they put it on repeat for me. Yes I can't eat anything other than plain dry carbs.. Cracker bread, potatoes, crisps ... Anything else and I am really sick. Tap water makes me really sick too!

[daerwen]

aww good thing there's ensure, hmm you drink it along with your preggy milk? thanks for the info xx

[beckymcfc]

Really don't worry. I was admitted to hospital for a few days at around the 13 week mark because I literally couldn't keep anything down. I lost a stone in the first and second trimester and then gained it again plus 10lbs in the third trimester. I had a healthy 6lb 7 oz baby and was back in my normal jeans 6 weeks later :) Every cloud

[terilou87]

iv gained 9lbs so far and im 35+2 thats this time round. With my previous 3 i had gained 3 stone each time. i think as long as your trying to eat and healthily you will be fine. if your m/w has any problems with your baby growth wise you'll be sent for a scan. so dont worry too much

[DessieLou]

I'm 32 weeks and weigh the same now as I did when I fell pregnant. I lost 12lbs in the first few months; I put this down to feeling like hell so not eating much other than fruit and having an active job aswell as a dog that needs a ridiculous amount of exercise! Since giving up work mid August I have put the 12lbs back on (more time=more baking=more pigging out!).
The midwives weren't concerned as the baby was growing fine. They take everything they need from you so your baby won't be missing out on anything.
I have to say I'm rather pleased as I thought I would balloon during pregnancy!
Do your best to eat healthily (not easy for you, I'm sure) and take your supplements. And don't worry, your midwives will let you know if it ever becomes an issue.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[rogersmellyonthetelly]

21 weeks here and only just stopped losing weight. Baby is growing fine seemingly regardless of what I manage to eat/not eat. On a good day I manage 2 meals, on a bad day I'll manage a couple of slices of toast. I'm overweight though, so I can certainly afford to lose a few (30 ish) lb.
Babies only require an extra 300 calories a day even in the last trimester, so try to focus on eating good stuff with protein, carbs and healthy fats, And make sure you take your vitamins.