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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

33 weeks pregnant and only gained 2 pounds - doctor concerned

23 replies

QwertyQueen · 08/04/2011 04:12

she has asked me to go on protein shakes for the next 3 weeks to see if I gain weight, and if not she wants to check my liver function.
I was a but overweight before so I do not look too thin, all the baby's measurements are great - slightly above 50th percentile.
But I have been under a lot of stress.
Anyone else had this? I don't like the idea of protein shakes....

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peanutbutterkid · 08/04/2011 04:31

How much were you overweight before?
How much are you eating?
I know someone (fairly slender to start) who lost weight all thru pregnancy. Her baby was 4 weeks early & I wonder if the weight loss was a factor. A (plump to start with) friend had no net weight gain until after 6 months, and her baby was fine.
Why don't you like protein shakes?

Original poster

QwertyQueen · 08/04/2011 04:39

Not very overweight - BMI of 27..
I am not sure why I dont like the idea of shakes, I guess as it feels artificial?

OP posts:

peanutbutterkid · 08/04/2011 04:54

They taste a bit nasty, too, imho :).
But pregnancy is full of indignities, swallowing protein shakes might just be your special ordeal.
tbh, I would think if your GP is that concerned that you should follow their advice as best you can.

Bump this up in daylight hours, perhaps others have invaluable experience.

WiiUnfit · 08/04/2011 09:51

OH uses a protein shake made by a company called Optimum Health on Amazon, they do all different flavours - he likes the chocolate one (says it tastes like the MilkyWay milkshakes?!) They have great service too - usually next day delivery. :)

EldritchCleavage · 08/04/2011 09:55

If you do need to have shakes, try Solgar. Expensive but much better quality than most and the chocolate one actually tastes nice.

ttalloo · 08/04/2011 09:58

OP, did you lose weight in the first trimester? Are you eating well now?

I lost a stone in the first trimester of both my pregnancies, and it took me until the end of the second trimester to put it back on. With DS2 I then put on a stone over the course of the third trimester, and he was born at 40+2 weighing 7lb 14oz. I was eating normally once I'd got over the horrors of morning sickness.

And I have a friend who produced big, healthy babies, having put no weight on at all during each pregnancy.

If your baby's growing fine, then I wouldn't worry too much, but if you have been under stress and it's affected your appetite, then you should try to eat better for your sake as well as the baby's.

flamingtoaster · 08/04/2011 10:02

When I was pregnant with DD my consultant looked at my notes and said I wasn't putting on much weight compared with when I had DS. I told him I wasn't playing football with a toddler when I was pregnant with DS and that seemed to reassure him. The day after I had DD I weighed myself in the hospital - I was 2 lb over my normal weight. She was completely normal and delivered as planned 2 weeks early because of my previous cs.

Hope you can find a protein shake you fancy if your consultant isn't as laidback about it as mine was. You haven't had sugar in your urine test at all have you? I had that but cutting out all the chocolate digestive biscuits (my craving) solved that.

Nunners · 08/04/2011 10:51

Try a 'Peptide Fusion' protein shake (you can get them online), all blitzed up with fresh summer berries to take away the proteiny-ness... it becomes more of a smoothie then and rather more palatable. I had them for a while as part of a diet-control measure and they were ok, but only with the fruit. Without it they tasted like the devil's food...

Original poster

QwertyQueen · 08/04/2011 14:53

HI, thanks for the replies...
I found a nice vanilla powder today - it is actually a meal replacement for dieters, but of course I won't use it like that. It has lots of nutrients etc in it...
I am eating quite a lot, not always healthy - lots of hot cross buns and chocolate!
But lots of fruit etc too.
But I will take the shake as she asked me too, I hope it will all be fine.

OP posts:

Chynah · 08/04/2011 16:56

If baby is fine why are they pressuring you to put on weight?? Bizzarre! I was not overweight and only put on 11 lbs with (7.4lb)DD no one ever even mentioned it. Unless you are finding it hard to eat healthily (sickness etc) I would tell them to get stuffed. Protein shakes have their place but if baby is growing fine I would not even consider taking them

VivaLeBeaver · 08/04/2011 16:58

IMHO your GP is talking bollocks. You're not unwell and the baby is measuring fine. I wouldn't take them either.

TheVisitor · 08/04/2011 16:59

Your doctor sounds old fashioned! Babies are little parasites and will take all they need from you. You just keep eating the way you normally do, if you eat well. What she's suggesting is just going to make you gain weight, not baby, that you'll have to shift once the baby's born. You don't need protein shakes. Your baby is growing really well, so there's no need. I'd have a word with your midwife, as she's more experience here than the GP, and I bet she'll agree with the ones who are saying you're fine. Mums to be rarely get weighed these days.

saoirse86 · 08/04/2011 21:09

If it's just your weight that's concerning your GP and there aren't any other issues, that's really strange!

I know plenty of women who were a bit overweight who lost weight during pregnancy, and I know plenty of women who were very slim before pregnancy and only put on 10-14lbs. Anything is normal weight-wise!

FWIW I put on loads of weight and no one ever weighed me. I was only weighed at my first scan when I was 16+3 and they put that down as my pre-pregnancy weight. (I'd already put on 16lb by then! )

Don't bother with protein shakes if it's just to put weight on. What's the point?! You need to be eating healthily, that's all.

wigglesrock · 08/04/2011 21:55

I lose weight throughout my pregnancies, I have a higher BMI than you and just had my 3rd baby seven weeks ago. I wasn't weighed at all throughout this pregnancy by midwife, never saw a doctor. Agree with others, don't feel forced by GP, they can be a bit oldfashioned when it comes to babies Although I am sick throughout my pregnancies I also keep fairly active, just doing normal bits and pieces and running after other dcs!!!

Unfortunately I tend to put it on after about 6 months, determined to keep it off this time, good luck with the rest of the pregnancy.

bt1978 · 09/04/2011 13:05

My mum put on only 2lbs with both of her pregnancies. She was then a healthy size 12 and 5'7".
Both babies went overdue and were totally healthy, as was she.

StiffyByng · 09/04/2011 18:56

I also really don't understand this. I have a net weight gain of 3lbs at 37 weeks. When I told my midwife that I had (at that point - way back at about 26 weeks) put on no weight, she said 'good, keep it that way if you want!' as I have a BMI of 31. (I haven't been dieting by the way or watching what I eat.) The baby is the right size and my bump measurement is on track. I just have lots of people telling me I've lost weight everywhere else! I can't understand why your GP wants you to put on weight.

MrClaypole · 09/04/2011 19:13

My sis lost 2 STONE during her pregnancy! She went from 14st to 12st.

She had hyperemesis and was sick all the time, leading to several hospital stays on a drip.

Dr was always happy with baby as she measured and weighed fine throughout the pregnancy. Not sure why your Dr is so worried TBH?

AlmightyCitrus · 09/04/2011 19:22

I've lost loads of weight each pregnancy. (Nearly 30 weeks this time, and my pre-pregnancy jeans are only just starting to get a bit tight)
Cut down on the booze and the late night snacking. Less take-aways, more "good food" and voila!

Compare your pre-pregnancy lifestyle to the one you have now.

Don't understand why weight is so important provided you are not hurtling towards anorexia or morbid obesity.

Original poster

QwertyQueen · 11/04/2011 10:36

very good point, AlmightyCitrus - I think the lack of alcohol is making a large difference!
I had a protein shake this morning as I dont have an appetite in the mornings..
I think I will use it when I don't feel like breakfast and that is it....
will stock up on fruit and veggies :)

Thanks all for the advice, I definitely would not want to put on weight unnecessarily!

OP posts:

Perpetuallypregnant · 11/04/2011 10:48

I usually put on about 3 stone in pregnancy but this time at 36+3 ive put on 9lbs which is about the weigt of my last baby!

Im literally ALL bump and i look like ive shoved a beachball down my top. I was a size 16 pre pregnancy but only had a gap of about 3m between pregnan ies this time so was still carrying some weight. Im still wearing my normal size 16 clothes with the odd maternity outfit thrown in.

Ive been sick a lot this time and have had a lot of nausea which has stopped me eating fatty things. I feel much more comfortable eating a salad or something light. I have been anaemic most of the time too.... Its been miserable but i console myself that the baby is growing really well and at least i wont have too much to lose afterwards!

Im sure everything will be fine with you, ive been drinking a lot of milkshakes, I find frijj ones to be lovely and refreshing so if i cant stomach a meal i can usually have one of those which at least keeps my calcium intake up. Also been taking pregnancy multi vits when i remember

PipCarrier · 11/04/2011 13:06

I definitely wouldn't take them if there is nothing wrong with the size of your baby, especially as you were overweight before as well.

I only put on 10lbs in my last pregnancy and only 7 so far in this one and my doctors weren't concerned at all and I was considered 'underweight' before falling pregnant even though I wasn't at all as I eat like a horse!

I would speak to your midwife and get a second opinion from a different doctor if you are still worried.

AppleyEverAfter · 11/04/2011 17:47

Qwerty why are you stressed? I think you need to look at reducing your stress levels and not worry so much about the weight. (Which your doc's diagnosis is probably not helping with!) Is there anything you can do to give yourself a break?

Original poster

QwertyQueen · 12/04/2011 06:04

Good advice, Appley, unfortunately financial and relationship stress so both big ones to try and deal with in the final stages of a pregnancy....
But I am feeling a lot better now, I think you are right about the doctor adding to the stress. I am going to stop taking the milkshakes - except when I miss a meal if I don't feel like eating.
I think I must also learn to listen to my instincts more - my feeling was the weight isn't a problem, but I must focus my energies on sorting things out...

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