Underweight but doctor isn't concerned/ anyone have a similar experience?

ladyteach0505 · December 2014

At our 19w anatomy scan the baby showed up at the 49th percentile. (We were told since 50th is perfect we are just fine right now.) But when I saw the nurse practitioner later in the morning she told me I'm underweight and should have gained more weight by now since I had no morning sickness. She told me she'd check with the doctor and told me to up my calories.

She emailed later to say the doctor said it's fine because the baby's weight is fine. Meanwhile, I'm eating between 2200-2400 calories a day and, while I might gain two or three pounds during the day if I think to check, by the time I weight myself in the morning I'm back to my starting weight if not a pound less.

I'm trying not to stress out, but I'm having a hard time feeling like I can eat the amount of food I'm eating- I just don't have an increased appetite. Does anyone have any experience or ideas for calorie-packed foods? (I literally eat ice cream before bed- which sounds amazing except I'm not hungry.) Thyroid issues run in my family, but it was checked at 9w and came out okay.

littlecookie · December 2014

I went through this with DS. His weight was always fine, but I didn't gain very much at all. My doc asked me to up my calories and add protein shakes. I had one and/or a milkshake every day. Also added guacamole and avocado. Nothing worked though. I eventually put on weight towards the end and avoided the nutritionist. My body knew what it needed.

It's the same this time so far, but I'm with the same OB, so she's not concerned. If your OB is not concerned, I wouldn't worry about it.

ladyteach0505 · December 2014

That's good to know @littlecookie. I was wondering about protein shakes. It couldn't hurt.

Pintobean39 · December 2014

You are eating 2200 -2400 calories a day, your baby is a healthy weight, your Dr isn't concerned about your weight gain or lack there of ..... I don't see a problem. Some people gain a lot of weight some don't.

brose1117 · December 2014

If your dr isn't concerned, it sounds like there is no reason to be concerned... I have gained one pound and my dr said that is fine and isn't asking me to add any extra food to my diet. I'm not concerned. I would be if baby wasn't growing consistently but it sounds like your baby is growing great.

Maybe try adding foods like avocado, protein shakes and nuts to your diet. All of those may help you keep the weight, rather than eating more empty calories.

samiamagirl · December 2014

Were you underweight prepregnancy? If not, that's probably why your doctor isn't concerned along with the fact that your baby appears to be at a healthy size and weight.

I agree with PP's tho, don't focus on eating unhealthy empty calories like ice cream. Research foods high in healthy fats and proteins, those are better for you and especially baby. Protein shakes and bars are great, but don't just solely rely on those- vary up your sources for a full nutritious diet.

Tmakes3 · December 2014

With my other pregnancies, I gained 90% of my additional weight after 30 weeks. I'm not really underweight to begin with, but am recommended to gain 30-40 lbs.. I've gained 1 so far. I assume all of it will come after 30 weeks like "normal" for me. I drank protein shakes and ate like crazy with my other two and nothing helped me gain before 30 weeks.. It just happened naturally when my body felt it needed to pack on some weight. I bet the same thing will happen to you!

Snapdragon750 · December 2014

I understand you're worried because of what the nurse practitioner said, but there's a reason she consulted with the doctor--his level of training is greater than hers. If your doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be either.

mhilpisch10 · December 2014

With my first, my pre-pregnancy weight was considered underweight. I was all worried about it, but then at about 20 weeks or so I started consistently gaining a pound a month. Then in the third I just packed it on. I ended up gaining 33lbs by the end. I always just thought ok the baby isn't even one pound yet! I shouldn't be too worried if I haven't gained X amount of weight yet. I never really changed my diet. I would try to eat more 4% cottage cheese bc I knew that had more protein and calories, or throw peanut butter on my sandwich or banana or apple.

I know people say "why are you worrying?" but even if your brain is telling you that you have nothing to worry about, it's hard not to worry when your pregnancy is all you think about!

I really think you will gain weight as you go. As soon as you stop thinking about it poof there the weight will be

Also, I always left my shoes on when they weighed me at my appointments! HA still do!

lala5507 · December 2014

I have been underweight my whole life. This is my 3rd pregnancy and my doctors have never seemed concerned or ever questioned anything. I ended up gaining about 27 lbs with both of my other pregnancies and both of my babies were around 7lbs. Just make sure you are eating healthy and not skipping meals.

soofttie · December 2014

Tmakes3 said:
With my other pregnancies, I gained 90% of my additional weight after 30 weeks. I'm not really underweight to begin with, but am recommended to gain 30-40 lbs.. I've gained 1 so far. I assume all of it will come after 30 weeks like "normal" for me. I drank protein shakes and ate like crazy with my other two and nothing helped me gain before 30 weeks.. It just happened naturally when my body felt it needed to pack on some weight. I bet the same thing will happen to you!

This is me too, after about week 26 I gained 30lbs.... Mercy it was scary as a slender person but it's normal

LimaD · December 2014

I agree with PPs, just keep listening to your doctor

Maybe instead of just focusing on calories, make sure you're getting good sources of fat and protein so you aren't getting a bunch of "empty calories". The protein shakes were a good idea

GL!

nlp1990 · December 2014

I am 19 + 2 and haven't gained any weight yet. I didn't gain very much my first pregnancy and what I did gain didn't start until 28 weeks. I would say if your doctor isn't concerned and the baby looks good then I wouldn't be worried either.

ladyteach0505 · December 2014

Thanks for all of the great feedback!

ktzen3 · December 2014

I wouldn't worry about it. I am technically "underweight" and I have never gained any weight until 20 weeks and then I gain like 6 in a month.

I think I have gained around 20-25 lbs with each pregnancy. This is my fourth pregnancy and my babies have all been healthy and average in weight when born, right around 7 lbs.

If you keep not gaining weight or you measure small, they will probably do an u/s later on to be sure fluid levels are ok. I have always had to do those around 34 and 36 weeks and everything always checks out fine, I am just one of those women who doesn't gain a lot and has a long torso so things don't look as "big" as they do on some women.

PutMeintheZoo · December 2014

I didn't gain much weight during my first pregnancy with my DS, but it was totally fine and and he ended up being 8 lbs! I wouldn't worry about your weight, as long as you feel healthy and are keeping a stable diet.

My OB eventually had me drinking Ensure. So "ditto" to the previous poster who suggested avocado and protein shakes / drinks. They're a great idea.

pilar311 · December 2014

My doctor told me to eat healthy foods and follow my appetite, and not to stuff myself beyond my appetite just to hit some arbitrary weight gain target. She would tell me if my weight was a concern (I have gained 5 pounds in 18 weeks, mostly in the last 2 weeks).

headovaheels · December 2014

If your baby is growing fine and your OB is not too concerned, then I wouldn't worry. With my first I only ended up gaining 9lbs. I weighed 119lbs the day I gave birth at 36wks. I was freaking out at first but the doctor reassured me that the baby was growing like he should. 2nd pregnancy I only gained 10lbs and the third I gained nothing. My third son weighed in at 7lbs 1oz. I initially gained 5lbs with this current pregnancy but I'm back down 5+lbs now. My baby was measuring 4 days ahead at my last visit. I figured this is just the way my body reacts to pregnancy. Some people gain weight and some people don't. As long as you are not purposely trying to lose weight I think you'll be fine.

ladyteach0505 · December 2014

It's interesting that this thread was revived because I had an OB appointment yesterday and my weight was mentioned again. I was glad to be with one of the OBs instead of the nurse practitioners because they are super calm about things. (The OB even recommended that the rest of my appts be scheduled with the doctors because they "worry less". Made me lol) But he did say if I continue not gaining weight I'll have to have more ultrasounds. It sort of freaked me out just in terms of "Okay, so then what..." I asked about Ensures and he said he didn't think they were necessary at this point. So I'm trying to just really keep an eye on my calorie intake. I saw someone on another thread mention how her doctor said the extra cAlorie requirement was equivalent to a couple of Oreos a day. Not nutritious per say, but I don't mind eating a few just in case...

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