Fundus measurement and diet

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Am 31 weeks and at my midwife appointment a few days ago she said my fundus measurement was a little less than she would have liked (though had still gone up from last time and I'd put on weight). She said it could be how the baby was lying or that it was growing in spurts, however she then cross examined me about my diet and said I should change it (currently I have a big full fat yoghurt, banana and berry smoothie plus bowl of cereal for breakfast, a cheese/marmite sandwich on rye bread for lunch plus yoghurt, egg and avocado when I can find ripe ones, supper is a cooked meal, with a good balance of meat, carbs, veg etc. I also snack through the day on a mixture of healthy - nuts, fruit, cereal - and not so healthy!). The midwife says I should be having a cooked lunch as well but I know I'll end up eating less if I do that as I stuff myself at lunch as love sandwiches and cereal. One lot of cooked fish/meat etc is enough for me each day and I think my lunch seems pretty balanced.

I don't want to risk my baby's health but I would like other people's opinions as I feel my diet is good. I am taking Pregnacare and Omega 3 capsules too. I also thought that the baby takes what it needs from the mother and that it is the mother not the baby who will suffer if she's not eating the right things.

Thanks very much!

I think that your diet sounds excellent! (Are you sure there is no chocolate in there? I think it is choc hobnobs you are missing).

AFAIK the measurement is not an exact science anyway and can vary 2-3cms either way at each measurement - but am I am in no way an expert...

I think you are absolutely right. I will increase my daily dosage of chocolate hobnobs and she should be dazzled by my fundus growth!
P.S There was already absolutely chocolate there... subtly slipped into the 'not so healthy' description of my diet which I chose not to elaborate. Yesterday was a good day for my fundus, lunch with my pudding and my mother's and then off to a children's party for the cake!

Anyone? (However helpful Dondons hobnob suggestion!)

Wow, your diet sounds pretty fantastic to me. Just hoping my midwife doesn't quiz me about mine, it's my big guilt trip this pregnancy that I'm eating dreadfully and can't seem to snap out of it. With my first I was really healthy but this time it's cakes and biscuits followed by lashings of ice cold Coke! I can't bear the thought of eating vegetables unless they're well hidden in something else. I have an absolutely huge bump at 27 weeks but not sure if it's baby or choc eclairs . Apart from the bump I don't seem to have put too much weight on elsewhere.

Were you underweight to start with? Perhaps a meat/fish based lunch sandwich might give you that extra protein that you need in pregnancy. How many of us have time for a cooked lunch??

Thanks Bilbomum. I was quite pleased with my diet too! Obviously I am eating lots of bad stuff too, just put the good stuff in my message as that was what was relevant (or so I'm choosing to believe ). I am much more into sweet things now I'm pregnant than usual and it's hard to justify because there can be no way that the baby is lacking sugar (unlike people who crave salt, iron etc)!

I think I was probably underweight to start with (so the midwife has been a bit tough on me from the start, lecturing me on not being scared of putting weight on, got me so angry as I'm naturally slim and have no intention whatsoever of trying to be thin while pregnant - she is still shocked and full of patronising 'Well dones!' every time I come in and have put on weight, even though I've put on 11 kilos already. Grrr.) I think you have a point with the sandwich filling, I thought egg/cheese was good enough but perhaps a meat filling like chicken or turkey would be better, perhaps it is protein I'm lacking. I'm glad you agree about the cooked lunch. I work from home so could do it if I have to as kitchen is there but to make something more nutricious than the lunch I already eat requires too much time lugging home shopping and cooking which I already have to do for dinner anyway. And then I don't see the point of going out for lunch, what I make at home is going to be much fresher and healthier.

Btw, your bump sounds very much a baby bump not an eclair one!

You sound like you've got your head screwed on to me. I suppose midwives are always on the lookout for those women who struggle with the idea of putting weight on whilst pregnant. It's a very strange time for a lot of women who do have issues with their weight so it's good the midwives are aware of the problem. However you don't sound like it's a problem for you. I have found I need to eat a lot more whilst pregnant even though the figures on calorie intakes don't back me up.

The sugar thing doesn't really makes sense but I had it with my first pregnancy as well, I think sometimes you just need it for that initial energy rush when you're feeling a bit wrecked. I also have more of a sweet tooth when I'm not drinking alcohol which doesn't help matters.

thanks for reassurance about bump - I was relieved not to see any stray chocolate brownies appear on the scan

Load of bollocks.
Weight gain and fundus height are totally unrelated. Where did she get her degree????

Your diet is spot on. Babies thrive on protein/wholegrains/nuts and calcium. You are doing it absolutely by the book.
I eat exactly like you and I'm "just" + 10kg at 37 weeks which is nothing compared to the 3 stone I put on with DS 4 years ago.I did not choose to "diet", I just naturally eat what I can stomach and 3 full meals are just too much. 5 little ones much better.
I've had more carbs cravings recently and that's obviously compensating for lack of energy/poor sleep.

Don't worry about it too much, you are obviously better informed than her on nutrition.

As for fundus height, if you are measuring smaller for your dates it might very well be a mistake with your dates. 1 or 2 weeks off the mark is quite common.
And babies grow at different paces. It's actually from now on that it's going to grow steadily.
Between 30 and 36 weeks my baby put on 1,5kg ( as hown with scan measurements) and me hardly any weight on!

Keep eating and keep well

I meant keep eating protein
Eggs and cheese and nuts ARE good sources.
Try beans and pulses (can of chickpeas/red beans/mung beans etc.... + tomatoes/avocado/cucumber/herbs etc... ) they make delicious nutritious salads.
Sardines more nutritious than tuna
Plain soft tofu in soups or morning shakes very good too.

I've got Gestational diabeties and therefore have to see many many people and watch diet etc and what you're eating sounds fine! my dietician told me that my diet should be (pretty much) what you eat and that's what i should so even if didnt have GD. most important to eat if you are hungry and get a balance!!!

On the fundus height thing, my baby is right size (according to scans etc at hospital) and I have some extra fluid in the bump apparently, however my fundus height was below the average acording to measurements. I had some confusion with that too... my midwife basically said not to worry, it all depends on how baby is sitting etc

My current theory (35 weeks and utterly ravenous ALL THE TIME) is that as long as I generally get my 5 fruit and veg, plus protein, complex carbs etc as per the recommendations, whatever I eat on top of that is blame-free. Hence it is OK to shovel down toasted crumpets with honey / bags of twiglets / creme eggs to my heart's content as long as I have had porridge and a fruit salad somewhere in between

Of course, may feel differently when I try to shift the weight afterwards...

Your diet sounds great to me! I got told off my midwife in my last pregnancy as she didn't think I was putting down enough fat stores for the breastfeeding stage.

I was eating loads, it just all went straight to my womb! When I started breastfeeding I did however merrily continue with the "I can eat as much as I want and not put on weight" and ended up putting on three stone!

Bilbomum, lol imagining a baby shaped brownie on your ultrasound! Good point about the wine, hadn't thought of that, but I adored my red wine so cutting that out has probably increased the sugar need.

Thanks very much for your message Slim22. It didn't make sense to me and I've also read that if not growth spurts like you mention etc it could be a problem with the placenta. Not worried about that, but does seem more relevant than diet. As for midwife, she's very sweet but she doesn't ever say anything that I couldn't read in the most basic of pregnancy books. And she did look a bit confused when I said that my lunch contained all the food groups but then she still insisted that an extra bowl of spag bol or 'fish in the oven with a can of tomatoes poured on top' would be better. I've also always thought that overdoing fish and red meat (ie twice in one day isn't so good for me or the baby). She was also a bit obsessed about potatoes. She even said an omelette with ham/veg/cheese etc plus a sandwich wasn't good enough . But feeling lots better now thank you, didn't want to ignore her advice if other people seemed to agree. Will make sure I am eating plenty though and not tailing off now that I get full quicker etc.

Have an ultrasound booked in for today, do hope the sonographer doesn't come up with a new date. 9 weeks more is quite long enough! Is a good point though that the dates could be out.

yes, do make sure you eat enough. After 32 weeks I got nauseous again due to stomach crushed under ribs and consciously made myself a snack every evening before bed to compensate.
peanut butter and toast or apples + large glass milk (or cheese sandwich or cereals an banana etc....) + snacking all the time on almonds.

Waffled on for so long that loads of people wrote messages in the meantime! Thank you!

Bilbomum, meant to say you're absolutely right about it being good the midwife is aware of eating problems. I'm liking acquiring a bit of extra 'curves' (though my bum never needed them and is getting most of them!) but of course it feels a bit weird when I'm someone who's usually slim, but I would never, ever put the baby or this pregnancy at risk, or try and diet away the weight I've gained. Just wish she'd trust me when I've shown that I'm perfectly happy and able to put on weight.

Slim, thanks very much for eating tips. Will try and up my bean/pulses intake. Love them actually, but just don't always have the best reactions to them... Hadn't though of sardines, used to eat them lots as I love them. V good idea!

Thanks v much Otter, good to know about the below average thing and your midwife thinking it's about positioning. Good luck with managing the GD, that can't be easy.

Novicemama - that sounds a spot on attitude .

Hattyyellow, I fear that will be with breastfeeding too! And all those fabulous banned foods back on...