Rapid Weight Gain
QUESTION
Dear Midwife, I am now 17 weeks pregnant and have gained a total of 20-25 lbs. I am 5'2 and my starting weight was 116 lbs. This is my 5th pregnancy and I have never gained this amount of weight before. I also cannot see where I have gained this weight. You would not even know that I am pregnant unless I have told you or you sit and stare at my small poked out belly. I have widened in the hip area and my appetie is out of control. I could eat all day, but I stop myself. I have taken my AFP test and it came back normal, therefore I assume it cannot be twins. Could there be anything else? Gestational Diabetes or anything? I do have a great deal of water retention in my ankles and legs. It gets really bad when it is hot outside. Just wondering if there is anything or any specific questions I should ask my doctor. I do have an ultrasound and an appointment scheduled. I am thinking that maybe this is just one big baby!ANSWER
It's possible you are right! It's also possible it's the water retention. You might try increasing your protein to at least 60 grams/day, and make sure that when it's hot, you get your 3 liters of water each day and get your exercise (in the air-conditioned mall) every day anyway. Raise your feet above your heart whenever you can also. If you can get rid of the water, then you can look at the other possibilities you mention. -- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
