Keeping baby well, not eating and stress.

[Tealeaf321]

23 weeks.
I recently had some horrible news and it's caused me massive amount of stress. As a result I've totally lost my appetite, as it goes I've put on around 35 lbs (I know that that's really bad please don't judge this) during this pregnancy due to eating anything and everything I can get my hands on. My bmi was slightly underweight before and now overweight. I'm trying to eat small amounts but just the thought of food really isn't appealing. Would it do the baby any harm just having a few mouthfuls of something each day? If i wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be eating at all (how I deal with stress) I'm still taking pregnancy multi vitamins.
And does stress really cause as much harm as everyone keeps telling me?

[Tealeaf321]

I have eaten a small amount of chicken today but before that baby was moving around and turning more than he's ever done before, I'm worried he was really uncomfortable being hungry as I didn't eat yesterday. Since eating today movements have almost completely stopped.

[1moretime]

Hi hun. I'm currently 21+4 days & have cried since last Monday! Got some bad news at our 20 week scan. Baby has a problem with his heart HLHS. It's proper taken its toll on me, can't eat, sleep or think straight. I'm to worried all this stress & not eating much will effect baby x
big hugs hun.

[KP86]

As I understand it, baby will take what it needs from you. So if you don't have enough nutrients in your food each day, it will take it from your body fat stores, and then if it gets really dire (not the case yet!!) your muscle and bone stores.

But perhaps the bigger issue is addressing how you can start eat if again? Maybe talk to your GP or midwife for advice as it can't be sustainable long term.

Good luck and I wish you and bubs well.

[whiteychappers]

As long as you are driving plenty of water, your bubs will fine I'm sure, they are parasites. Think about people with HG, they barely eat throughout their pregnancies or women in famine hit areas. Don't beat yourself up over it, your appetite will come back. Maybe try a smoothie or something like that if you are super worried. Hope you are ok xxx

[whiteychappers]

Also as for stress, the same goes, people have babies in war torn areas where stress must be constant for months on end. I would just let your midwife know though as they might be able to help even if its just with someone to talk to x

[Whatsername17]

You need to focus on eating little and often. A couple of mouthfuls every hour will be fine. You need to maintain a stable blood sugar. Your body needs the calories. Pp are correct when they say baby gets all they need from you. However, you need to look after yourself because you deserve it. Something small, every hour and be kind to yourself.

[Kariana]

I hate to go against the grain but the idea of a baby being a 'perfect parasite' that takes what it needs from the mother's stores has now been found to be untrue. For things like calcium it does work but for other nutrients it doesn'tand baby needs a constant supply. Whilst you won't harm your baby by going a few days not eating much this is not healthy over a longer period. You really need to take steps to address it for the long term if this is going to be stress that lasts, eating little and often, drinking smoothies etc as others have mentioned. I hope things get better for you soon

[NovemberInDailyFailLand]

It's not true. I had some horrible news at 8 weeks with my previous pregnancy. I honestly don't want to frighten you, but I barely ate and miscarried 3 weeks later.

I don't know what's happened to you, but no matter what, try as hard as you can to get something down, even a few bites once an hour, smoothies, toast or milkshakes. I know how hard it is to cope with bad news, especially when you're pregnant (I'm also due in October now) but please do it for the baby and yourself