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November 2011 Moms
Not your typical weight-gain vent...
As some of you may know, I've struggled gaining weight this pregnancy (well, my whole life actually). I've added tons of calories, including a 660 calorie milkshake when I can stomach it. I've been slowly gaining weight (2-3 lbs between my last couple of appts) but I'm still under where my Dr and I would like me to be.
A month ago, we had a growth u/s on DD2. Everything looked great, but she was tiny (10th percentile). The high-risk Dr that oversees the u/s said that I'm small, DD is small (she was 7 lbs 8 oz at birth), and as long as DD2 stays on the same growth curve, there's no cause for concern, but if she drops below that, they'll start investigating a bit further as to why she's not putting on the weight.
I had to schedule another u/s for 4 weeks later--which was yesterday. DD2 measured 3 lbs 2 oz (up from 1 lb 12 oz a month ago)...however, that's considered to be in the 8th percentile...so her growth curve has dropped.
I have an appt with my OB on Friday, but the office called me today to tell me that I need to start weekly NSTs starting this week. Hopefully she passes the NSTs and she'll pick up on the weight gain but it's so frustrating and I feel like I'm neglecting my baby.
I had trouble gaining with DD1, but ended up gaining 22 lbs (the low end, but a lot for me personally to have actually gained). She ended up a healthy, average 7 lbs 8 oz. But I started this pregnancy even smaller than my first, and weight gain seems to be even more difficult this time around; and with DD2 only being 3 lbs right now, it's freaking me out. If she gains an average of 1/2 lb a week, she'll only be 5-ish lbs at birth. I know the u/s aren't 100% accurate, and she can still be healthy at that weight (my sister just gave birth to a healthy 5 lbs 2 oz baby boy) but it's still makes me feel like a bit of a failure. Weight gain is supposed to be easy during pregnancy...not a struggle that I'm reminded by every second of the day.
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Re: Not your typical weight-gain vent...
I can't really relate and I don't have any advice, but just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through all that, and I'll send positive weigh-gain vibes you and your babies way! Keep us posted on how things go!
I can relate, not quite to your extent, but with both of my previous pregnancies I had to have growth ultrasounds because I was measuring behind. After losing weight at the beginning, my average total weight gain per pregnancy is less than 15lbs.
DD, 6 days late, was only 6-3 and DS, 5 days early, was barely 6lbs.
Hang in there! Your doctor's seem to be on top of it and I'm sure they'll help you figure out a way to have your LO pack on some pounds before birth!
DS born via unplanned C-section at 40w6d
As a kid, my mom took myself and I to a nutritionist and spoke with our PCP and they determined we were just small people with a fast metabolism. A lot of people in my family are naturally thin, so it's not surprising, it's just frustrating.
I had my throid checked a few years ago when my grandma started having issues with her and everything was okay; I've also had all the regular bloodwork done with pregnancy. I'll bring it up to my Dr on Friday and see what she has to say.
I'm going to try to eat even MORE than I already do, but hopefully everything will be okay either way.
Thanks for the pep talk ladies
{{{hugs}}}
I'm not sure that weight gain and baby's weight always correspond. Last pregnancy I gained 45 lbs and DS was 5lb8z which was lower than even the first percentile. Not sure that helps at all.
~Working Mom~Breastfeeding Mom~Cloth Diapering Mom~BLW Mom~
Blog - No Longer on the DL ~ The Man Cave
Shawn and Larissa
LO #1 - Took 2 years and 2 IVFs ~ DX - severe MFI mild PCOS homozygous MTHFR (a1298c)
LO #2 - TTC 7 months, surprise spontaneous BFP!
I'm sorry that you are having a rough time, hang in there! It sounds like you are doing your best.
It's kind of weird that they said your LO is in the 8% at 3lb-2oz because I just had an U/S last week and my LO was the same weight (they said that it was normal and in the 54%). I wonder why the difference in stats??? Also, if your LO is 3lbs now and you gain for another 9wks (at 1/2lb per week) then I think it would be a lot higher than 5lbs total (more like 7lbs)...right? Sorry to be stuck on the math but I just hope they aren't making you worry unneccesarily :-)
Good luck!
Sorry you've been going through this - (((hugs)))
While I am one of those on the other end of the spectrum (I just had to meet with a dietician to figure out how to slow my weight gain), I can totally sympathize with the frustration of knowing that what you are putting in your body isn't correlating with what the scale is saying. With that said, I know you are doing everything possible for LO so please don't let yourself feel like a failure - you are doing great!
Have you thought about meeting with a licensed nutritionist/dietician? I went at the recommendation of my OB, and while insurance did not cover it (Blue Cross requires a diabetes diagnosis to cover a dietician), IMO it was $140 well spent!
That does sound stressful. If it helps, there is an Atl mommy who had her baby the same say as me. She had issues with IUGR and her baby was teeny. I have a picture of our daughters next to each other a few weeks after they were born, and DD, who was 7lbs 7 oz at birth looks like Godzilla next to her LO. But you know what? Her daughter is adorable, healthy, and now has a sibling that is also healthy and adorable.
Sounds like you are getting great care, and are doing everything possible to care for your LO. All the odds are on your side that your baby will be healthy and SO loved. Of course you are going to worry, that's your job Mommy!
Sending you all my best wishes that your baby continues to grow and thrive.
DMoney will be a kickass big sister
I can totally relate to this and I know it sucks
Unfortunately it's probably not something you can control. DD#1 was diagnosed with IUGR when she fell off the growth curve. I was put on bedrest and then induced at 35 weeks. She was 3lbs 15oz. They did all sorts of tests but never figured out what the issue was. Sometimes it's just one of those things.
DD#2 measured fine all along. She was 6lb 11oz at 39 weeks. I think I just make small babies. This one is measuring a week behind but staying pretty consistent for now. 4 weeks ago she was at 8%. Yesterday she was at 10%. Like you, they keep monitoring to make sure it doesn't go down. Also, I don't think your actual weight gain has much to do with it. I've had no issues gaining weight (I think I'm up 18lbs) this time around.
I know it's super stressful but you are doing what you can. I hope she stays on her curve and keeps growing!
This is what I was thinking... 1/2lb per week for 9 weeks is 4.5lbs, so she'd be over 7lbs. I can't remember what the typical weight gain at for baby is at this point though. Is it 1/2lb per week?
I'm also wondering about the growth chart. 3lbs 2oz doesn't sound 8th %-tile small to me, but I really don't know. Here's a chart from babycenter: https://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart
Did they actually show you a growth chart with %-tiles marked on it?
And {{HUGS}}!
Yes, I was totally off on my math. I was thinking 1/4 lb a week when I typed it but obviously my train of thought didn't connect with my fingers :-P
They didn't show me a growth chart, but I do plan on questioning it some when I meet with my OB on Friday. When I looked up the average weight for this point of gestation, it seems pretty normal so I'm not sure why such a low percentage.
Normally after my ultrasounds I meet with a high risk OB, but she was out on emergency, so I couldn't really get any answers right then and there.