Not Gaining Any Weight

Updated on February 02, 2008
S.M. asks from Athens, OH
12 answers

I am 19 weeks along in my pregnancy and have only gained two pounds the entire time (and absolutely nothing in the past 5 weeks!) Two weeks ago my doctor gave me a month to gain 1 pound, and when I weighed in today, I actually lost .2 of a pound. The thing is, the baby is actually slighter bigger than they expect at this stage, so he is not being affected by this. I eat when I'm hungry, and while I do try to eat healthy, it's not salads and fruit every day. My question is, should I be concerned? (With my first I gained 20-25 pounds, and while I'm not overweight, I usually have NO problem gaining.) Also, what are some (healthy) ideas for stuff to eat that will help me gain?

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C.D.

answers from Greensboro on

I wouldn't worry about not gaining weight now...I'm sure it will come in time. Do you have morning sickness? That could be why you're not gaining much. Maybe then after the baby is born you won't have that much to lose. I'm not sure why the doctors are worried about it if the baby is big enough or bigger than normal. Do you like avacodos? They are high in fat, but it is the good kind of fat. I love them! Also, nuts like cashews and walnuts...they are good for you, but have a high fat content also. Anything with peanut butter would be good for you and give added calories as well. Try it on toast in the morning with applesauce on top or on celery. Hope this helps!

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B.P.

answers from Charlotte on

The last thing you need to do is stress out about this. With my first child I lost 8 pounds in my first trimester before I started putting on weight, and then it was only 12 pounds. I had a healthy baby. As long as you are eating healthy, that's what counts. At the same time, you want to make sure that your body is giving the baby enough room to grow in. I would recommend the Tom Brewer Pregnancy Diet. I used it with both of my children to make sure I was eating healthy. The diet helps you make sure you're getting all the things your baby needs to good brain and body development. You can find information about it at www.blueribbonbaby.org. You can also find a simple list of the diet and a pdf worksheet for tracking your food at http://www.bradleybirth.com/PD.aspx
This last sight is a website for a natural childbirth process (the Bradley Method). Don't let that scare you off- the diet is good regardless of how you birth the baby. The diet does want you to eat 100 grams of protein a day. For most women, eating 70-80 grams a day is good. Good luck.

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A.D.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi S.,
Did you have this problem with your first baby? Do you get sick during your pregnancy? My sister in-law is pregnant with her 4th child and she dose not start gaining weight until she hits her 6th or 7th month. She loses weight before she gains. The doctor gives her a speech every time she goes in but she is like you she eat when she is hungry. Some times I am surprised that she has not gained with some of the things I have seen her eat. Her baby always measures big and the heart rate sounds strong and healthy and mom is healthy
(other than low iron). Keep eating right and take your vitamins. Get lots of rest when you can.
I wish for you a healthy pregnancy and baby.

You want to eat carbs if you are an active person, make sure you get your daily dose of fiber and eat foods that have healthy fats (ones your body needs) in them. Ask your doctor he/she should be able tell you more. I would also look up ideas on the internet. Hope this helps.

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T.J.

answers from Raleigh on

GOod morning! I understand completly. I am at 30 weeks now nad have only gained 7 pounds. And I just gained 3 of those in the last month. I eat good and never deprive myself of anything. I just can't seem to gain the weight. With my 1st child, who is 2 I gained 27 pounds. Its not going to happen with this one though.

My doctor was worried, but the baby is bigger than usual as well, so now they are not worried. I have been drinking Ensure everyday and taking extra vitaims. I have had to go once a week for a weight check. I am sure you will be fine, especially if you are not drinking or harming the baby in any other way. Sometimes the baby just takes everything we eat for themselves!!! Don't worry!!!When is your due date? Good luck!!!

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O.S.

answers from Charlotte on

S.,

I just had a healthy baby boy last week and i only gained 8 pounds the whole 9 months and everything was fine as long as your eating healthy and taking your vitamins and taking care of your self everything should be fine

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi S.,
I didn't gain any weight until I was around 25 weeks, and when I did start gaining, it was like a snowball effect. I ended up gaining 50 lbs by the time it was all over with. I wouldn't worry about it. If the doctor says the baby is fine, then I would think all is ok. I did eat a lot of bread when pregnant, which I think put on the pounds in the end. Best of luck with your pregnancy!

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S.R.

answers from Jacksonville on

If your baby is fine, then count your blessings. It comes on at the end a lot quicker sometimes. You are busier now that you have one child already, so maybe you are more active and snacking less. As long as you are not depleting yourself of calcium or protein, and your diet is well balanced, I wouldn't worry. If your doctor is insisting on seeing some weight gain, try some ensure shakes on top of your diet. That is what they give underweight marines during bootcamp. The entire meal plus a can or sometimes two of ensure. Sometimes morning sickness does it too. Are you queasy? The baby will take what it needs, you just have to make sure you stay healthy too.

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S.G.

answers from Charleston on

I would say don't worry too much about not gaining the weight. You are gaining the baby's weight but losing your weight. When I was carrying my first daughter, I lost 6 pounds from my beginning weight, with my second daughter, I gained 75 pounds and with my third daughter, I gained only 5 pounds. The doctors told me as long as I was eating 3 meals a day and having at least 2-3 snacks a day and it was healthy eating, don't worry.

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S.M.

answers from Greenville on

i had to drink protein shakes when i was pregant i only gained 8 pounds with my baby and she was perfectly healthy

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H.W.

answers from Raleigh on

This is my 1st baby & I'm at 22 weeks and still have not gained ANY weight! I just got back to my starting weight at the last doctor's appointment. Same as you, the baby is a little bit bigger than expected, so it's obviously doing just fine. The doctor told me not to worry at all! Everyone says just give it a week or two, but they've been saying that for the last 10 weeks. Oh well...what are we supposed to do? I'm not willing to "eat for two" and gain unnecessary weight. I eat plenty as it is...I'm not depriving myself or the baby. Don't worry about it...it'll either pack on soon or we'll have less to lose later :)

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E.H.

answers from Greensboro on

Naturally every pregnancy is different. I gained 50 lbs with both of mine. With you working, it's going to be harder to put on the pounds like you want to. I put on most of the weight by snacking on peanut butter crackers every chance i had (mostly because i was always hungry). I would eat pancakes or eggs and toast every morning, and i would have several snacks after dinner before i went to bed. You've got about 20 weeks left in the pregnancy, and you may balloon up right there at the end. If anything your child is bigger than expected at this stage, so be happy if all the pregnancy weight is him; that way it'll be easier to lose those pesky pregnancy pounds!!

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R.B.

answers from Greensboro on

I wouldn't worry about it. With my second pregnancy, I only gained 15 lbs the entire time, and I wasn't overweight either. I lost 8 lbs in the first trimester (from "morning" sickness). I finally started gaining a lb or so a week starting around the 22nd week. The doctors were a little concerned at first, but my baby was growing fine and she's healthy as can be now (at 10 months old).
There are some nutritional supplement drinks you can get that have high caloric content and basic nutrients in them, called Carnation VHC (which means very high calories)... they are sort of hard to drink because they're really thick, but you can make smoothies or milkshakes or other things with them. Also, Ensure makes a high calorie drink that you could try once or twice a day. Plus, you'd get the benefit of extra nutrients.

I'm sure everything will turn out just fine in about 21 more weeks when you're holding that precious baby!! Hope this helps!

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