Loss of appetite in third trimester

[glossyflower]

Hi guys.
Just wondering if any if you are feeling the same as I am.
I'm 30 weeks with first baby, had severe hyperemesis from weeks 7 to 17, I'm still on anti sickness meds because otherwise the nausea is still relentless.
I was slim to begin with and lost almost 2 stone in weight. I've gained it back now plus 3lbs above my pre pregnancy weight.
Anyway things had been going ok the past few weeks until last week I had a mini breakdown with various things in my life causing a great deal of stress.
I decided to have the week off work to reset.
Then I got this nasty chesty cold, and my appetite has been really poor.
I've lost about 5 lbs this week, and really trying to eat and drink well but it's such a struggle.
As I have ketone sticks I checked my ketones to find I was off the scale plus 4.
I called the out of hours helpline, the midwife basically told me off. She said being under the weather was no excuse for not eating since I was not vomiting or not a diabetic. I had a jacket potato with cheese for lunch and she said a single potato was nowhere near enough food!
I really struggled to get that potato down and thought I did well!
Anyway she told me to eat something else and drink a pint of water, which I did and my ketones were trace.
Today though, I have ketones again and have only managed a banana, a pear, some porridge and a few mouthfuls of pasta with vegs. I have tried to drink more fluids today.
I feel so guilty because I know I have to feed my baby but its so hard. And I know high ketones can be dangerous for the baby.
At last check up my community midwife said baby was growing fine.
Any thoughts? Xxx

Also want to mention I have iron deficiency anaemia and taking iron supplements, and I think these have made me more nauseous and off food. Xxx

Ketones are caused by the body breaking down fat stores for energy, in the absence of glucose (which the body prefers). So the solution is to get more carbohydrates in. Drinking more fluids helps flush them out (in the urine) but doesn't treat the cause.

Assuming they've excluded diabetes as a cause? Ie tested you for this rather than presuming you're not? (It's not unheard of for type 1 diabetes or Geststional diabetes to present at unexpected times).

If you can 't face eating, try smoothies, milk, fruit juices, full-sugar squashes eg Ribena. If you can eat, go for yoghurt, ice-cream, jelly, milky puddings eg custard. Or normal diet if you can manage rice, pasta, cous-cous, breakfast cereals, fruit etc.

Hope you 're feeling better soon.

I've severe acid reflux so am also finding eating difficult. I am keeping my weight up by eating small volumes of very energy dense food. Jacket potato is bulky, I couldn't manage one of those, but a couple of well buttered potato cakes would give carbs and calories in less bulk. The foods you list (pear, banana, porridge) are all high bulk for lowish calories so the last thing you need if you are under eating.

So, less bulky veg and fruit (eat dried fruit for the fibre), small portions of protein, fat and carbs regularly, and 6 or so small meals a day rather than 3 larger ones. If you are struggling ask your midwife about topping up with complan or similar.

I just discovered at ante natal classes that it is important to keep energy levels up, as if they fall too low during labour, labour can slow down and stop, and medical intervention will be required.

Thanks you guys. They are helpful tips.
I've had the usual tests done with midwife so wasn't diabetic then although maybe I should just get tested again now as you say it can appear at any time.
Calories then, I thought by eating lots of carbs would help me energy wise but you're right I need more food with a higher calorific content.
Xxx