Small for dates baby « Back to Group Discussions

[kdorrain]

I'm not a frequent poster here, but I like to lurk.

I've had a rough go of all-day pregnancy sickness till about 23 weeks, but I got pneumonia/bronchitis/some sort of respiratory thing for another 6 weeks starting at 21 weeks.  I'm starting to come out of it all (but still have food aversions, I'm not hungry, and have bad heartburn and acid reflux) and have been measuring 2 cm behind at my appointments.  At my 28 week appt (yesterday), I only measured 23 weeks, which means baby barely grew this month.  I lost 20 pounds by 21 weeks and have maintained my weight since (no loss, no gain).

I am wondering if anyone has ever had a "small for gestational age" thing and what you were able to do about it?  I read that if it's from malnutrition the mother can turn it around, but I have no idea what else I can eat that I can tolerate (I have to think throwing it back up won't count).  Almost no protein appeals to me and very little dairy, though, in theory, I'm trying to follow the Brewer diet.  I can eat fruit and sandwiches with lunch meat and some soups. I can't stand protein shakes, smoothies, or protein bars.  HOW can I get the nutrition my baby needs to get back to growing?

I'm having a homebirth and I do not want my midwife to transfer my care.  I need to turn things around.  Ideas? 

Kristine

[eminvc]

Originally Posted by kdorrain 

I'm not a frequent poster here, but I like to lurk.

I've had a rough go of all-day pregnancy sickness till about 23 weeks, but I got pneumonia/bronchitis/some sort of respiratory thing for another 6 weeks starting at 21 weeks.  I'm starting to come out of it all (but still have food aversions, I'm not hungry, and have bad heartburn and acid reflux) and have been measuring 2 cm behind at my appointments.  At my 28 week appt (yesterday), I only measured 23 weeks, which means baby barely grew this month.  I lost 20 pounds by 21 weeks and have maintained my weight since (no loss, no gain).

I am wondering if anyone has ever had a "small for gestational age" thing and what you were able to do about it?  I read that if it's from malnutrition the mother can turn it around, but I have no idea what else I can eat that I can tolerate (I have to think throwing it back up won't count).  Almost no protein appeals to me and very little dairy, though, in theory, I'm trying to follow the Brewer diet.  I can eat fruit and sandwiches with lunch meat and some soups. I can't stand protein shakes, smoothies, or protein bars.  HOW can I get the nutrition my baby needs to get back to growing?

I'm having a homebirth and I do not want my midwife to transfer my care.  I need to turn things around.  Ideas? 

Kristine

Probably not the tastiest, but what about Ensure or other supplement-type drinks? I know you said no protein shakes but I think those are thinner than a shake (and blander would be my guess).

And my personal favorite, nuts. Protein, fat, lots of calories for just a little handful of food...and shouldn't be strong enough to trigger any aversions. I started putting on weight a lot more quickly when I remembered to add in a handful of walnuts or almonds every day. You can graze on them throughout the day and probably add in a meal's worth of calories, protein and good fats.

Also, what about adding on a substantial spread to your sandwiches? Like hummus or an avocado or some sort of greek yogurt-based spread for protein/good fats?

[HouseofPeace]

baked goods always help me gain weight and usually digest well.  i've never lost weight, or had small for gestational age babies, but have had 5 healthy pregnancies and 4 beautiful healthy children.  so can at least offer what i've done to get more nutrition in just in case it might help you!

i like quinoa and almond flour to increase protein and also nutrients.  add in some eggs, milk, and maybe squash or carrots, and you've got a meal not to be scoffed at!  i like the spice mixes b/c ginger and cinnamon help me digest better too.

here's a lot of recipes i have been making this pregnancy:

http://www.elanaspantry.com/carrot-cake/

http://thebendytreerecipes.blogspot.com/2011/04/chocolate-chip-scones-made-with-almond.html

http://www.threenewleaves.com/recipes/paleo-banana-bread/

http://comfybelly.com/2011/11/pumpkin-bread-2-0/#.ULakA6w73iu

and made up a few of my own.

mostly variations on quinoa and almond flour goodies.  pies and cheesecake (ha- how can you NOT gain weight on that!) and today brownies.

brownies:

recipe: Preheat oven to 350

In a blender mix:
2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa
4 eggs
1/3 cup milk (or liquid of your choice)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup softened butter, or coconut oil

Blend until smooth. In a large bowl mix:
1 1/2 cups almond flour/meal (i grind my own and sift to get the light texture)
3/4 cup cocoa flour
3/4 cup raw/organic fair trade sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Pour contents of blender into the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into a well-greased dish (I had a 9x7 pyrex) and bake for 45 minutes at 350. let cool, cut and try to make sure no one steals more than their share!

[odinsmama]

Are you taking a prenatal vitamin?

My fundal height has been measuring a few cm small and I had a hard time gaining weight for a while. My pregnancy has been going well but I have other health issues that were flaring up. I had to start eating wheat again (even though I was eating other high carb grains) and that's what finally got me gaining. It also increased my appetite.

It's really tough to eat when you don't feel like you're hungry and nothing really sounds good. I'd say just try to eat as much as you can and eat anything that sounds good, even if it may not be the healthiest thing in the world. Try upping fats with any whole foods you can stand (nuts, avocado etc) and add some extra carbs.

Hope you can get a good appetite and put on some pounds, mama!

[Brambleberry]

Any thing you can do to sneak more eggs into your diet - custard is a good way to get in eggs.  Buy pastured eggs if you can or else the omega-3 enriched ones.  Add an extra egg to anything you bake.

dried fruit, nuts, grass-fed butter, nut butters...

If you can't handle dairy, coconut milk is a better substitute than some since it has lots of good fat, but keep in mind it's not really replacing the protein and calcium you'd get from milk.

[kdorrain]

Thanks everyone.  I have no idea why I hadn't thought of nuts!  I have been adding guacamole and mayo to my sandwiches.  (the weirdest part is that I'm overweight... I gain weight on like 1200 calories a day.  I've never had to think about how to keep myself OUT of ketosis before).  :)

While baked goods don't appeal to me, I think I could tolerate them.  The brownies sound good and, bonus, my girls would love them too!

I think I could also tolerate greek yogurt if I used a granola bar to dip it out (I have a weird texture aversion to start with).

Thanks so much for the ideas--off to the co-op to see what I can buy to turn this around!

(And I'm having lunch at Chipotle today!)

Kristine

[kdorrain]

Just a quick update:  

I had an ultrasound to check things and baby is measuring right on--the placenta is in front of the baby, which is making things really tough to guesstimate without technology.  I'm so relieved.  Now I just need to eat well for ME to replace the nutrients lost through months of hyperemesis.  Thanks for the suggestions I've taken many of them!

Kristine