Help gaining weight

[persa]

I OK ladies, weird situation for me. I'm not particularly thin but not heavy. Baseline I weigh 160ish at 5'8.

So I'm 15 weeks with twins and I haven't gained any weight yet. I'm not throwing up or anything but my appetite has just decreased and my tolerance for my usual (large-ish) volumes has decreased. I just don't feel like eating that much and when I do, I'm super uncomfortable.

I've actually lost 2 lbs from the start of my pregnancy and apparently I need to gain anywhere from 35-40 lbs depending on the source.

So what should I do to gain more weight? Eat more ice cream, lol? This is such a weird place for me to be. I was telling my husband "why can't I have this issue when I'm not pregnant?"

ETA for reference, I gained about 18-20 lbs with DD and she weighed 8#13oz. But I didn't have the food issue/indigestion last time that I'm having this time.

Update: 2 weeks later and I still haven't gained weight. She gave me info for a nutritionist to call. Boo.

[starlily]

Is your OB concerned? I'd start with discussing it with him/her and asking for a referral to a dietician if necessary.

[persa]

She's the one who mentioned it. I see her again in 3 weeks, I guess I can ask her more about next steps then.

[sparty04]

My friend had the same issue as you with twins. She did exactly as you suggested, lots of ice cream.

[Blue Moon]

I'd just eat whatever seems appealing at the time and obviously switch to full-fat products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc) if you haven't already. I drank a lot of protein shakes to get extra calories early on. I seemed to gained most of my 20 pounds between weeks 13-28, but haven't gained much in the last month. Weight gain can definitely ebb and flow throughout the pregnancy.

[blushing]

I am only carrying a singleton, but if it makes you feel better, I am now 29 weeks and I have still not gained any weight. In fact, I am still 5kg's (11 lbs) down from my pre-pregnancy weight. I have zero appetite though and force myself to eat. I have been indulging in chocolate and Magnum ice creams though. My mom told me its because I am carrying a little parasite, lol.

Baby is growing fine and fundal height is spot on so none of my medical people are concerned.

[laurenh]

I just met with the nutritionist at my appointment this morning and I'm having twins too, so maybe this will be helpful. She recommended 6 small meals vs 3 regular because of uncomfortableness. Aim for a grain/starch at each meal along with protein, and if you're only handling smaller meals, try to go nutrient dense, like nuts/trail mix, crackers/apple and peanut butter or crackers, hard boiled eggs, etc. Her main suggestion to me was up protein and calcium through dietary changes if possible. Also, switch to full fat dairy and aim to have 3-4 servings a day.

She gave me a packet for multiple gestation nutrition that I can scan and email to you if you're interested!

[bernergirl]

I also didn't gain a lot through about 32 weeks. My doctor mentioned it more than once, more of concern for me than the baby (who has measured ahead consistently, so she's getting what she needs!). I switched from 1% to 2% milk, and that helped. Also eating nuts and avocados, and trying to choke down full-fat yogurt. Basically things with nutrients and good fats. Along with ice cream

[persa]

laurenh, I sent you a PM.

And yeah, maybe I should think of better snacks. I do get hungry more quickly since I'm eating small amounts.

Good thought on switching to full fat, though I'm trying to think how much low fat stuff I actually take in. Maybe I'll throw some PB into some smoothies.

[626]

Jul 7, 2014 13:35:30 GMT -5 laurenh said:

I just met with the nutritionist at my appointment this morning and I'm having twins too, so maybe this will be helpful. She recommended 6 small meals vs 3 regular because of uncomfortableness. Aim for a grain/starch at each meal along with protein, and if you're only handling smaller meals, try to go nutrient dense, like nuts/trail mix, crackers/apple and peanut butter or crackers, hard boiled eggs, etc. Her main suggestion to me was up protein and calcium through dietary changes if possible. Also, switch to full fat dairy and aim to have 3-4 servings a day.

She gave me a packet for multiple gestation nutrition that I can scan and email to you if you're interested!

This was going to be my advice too.

I have a hard time gaining weight in general and I'm starting off underweight, so I've been making an effort to up my calorie intake.

Fortunately for me my appetite has been good so far, but here are some small things that I've done: 

Full fat dairy - whole milk yogurt, whole milk and cheese.

Nuts and avocado.  Peanut butter on bananas or apples or avocado toast are good snacks/light meals.

Juice - honestly I love juice and I get a ton of calories from this.

Shakes - whole milk, yogurt, fruit/veggies and juice.

Also have more snacks or smaller meals. That way you're eating throughout the day without having one big meal that might make you feel uncomfortable.

[linz]

I eat 5-6 small meals a day. I'm 19+3 weeks and have gained 15 lbs and most of them has come since I entered 2nd tri. My body in the last 2 weeks has really started packing it on so maybe your body is just slow at responding? I think as long as babies are growing fine I wouldn't be too worried yet but I'm sure the suggestions people gave about fatty foods would help.

[sillygoosegirl]

Is your OB concerned? I thought not gaining during the first trimester was petty common and not a problem. (Although I gained way too much during that time frame.)

Since around the start of the second trimester I've been alternating between periods of being starving all the time, and not having much appetite, with weight gain happening off and on like you'd expect. My midwife says this is normal and the fetus has growth spurts just like little kids do, and that's why my appetite is all over the place.

[persa]

sillygoosegirl, she wasn't concerned but she mentioned it at my appointment. I think she just wanted to make me aware of it and something to keep an eye on. ETA and I think it's the twin thing also.

I have had a few days here and there that have been "hungry" days, which means I eat closer to my normal amount.

Babies so far seem to be growing fine. I have a perinatologist appointment in a couple of weeks so I'll see what my weight is doing then and ask her about it then.

And I guess I'm not super worried about it yet either, just wondering if I should be doing something different.

[starlily]

Jul 7, 2014 13:14:33 GMT -5 persa said:

She's the one who mentioned it. I see her again in 3 weeks, I guess I can ask her more about next steps then.

In that case, I'd try to incorporate more calorie dense foods like nuts, avocados, full fat yogurt & cheese, etc. if you feel you need to. But it sounds like your OB isn't particularly worried about it right now.