Why would the doctor tell my pregnant sister she may be gaining 2 much wieght?

Question

My 25 yr old sister is a little over 20 weeks pregnant and has gained 15 lbs and barely shows. She is still really small and before she got pregnant she was 22 lbs. She went to the doctor yesturday and he said she may be gaining too much and may have to start watching what shes eatin and may need to eat less. That made me really mad when i heard that because my sister is allready self-concious and is worried to get fat and hardly eats anything! I keep telling her to eat more.. all she eats everyday is like a bowl of cereal with fruit in the morning, sandwich and veggies at noon, a fruit or veggie snack then a type of meat for dinner. Also has not ate any junk food.So its not like she over eats at ALL! But why would the doctor say that?? Is it really that big of a deal if you gain more wieght than the "normal wieght gain" when your pregnant?! Cuz now im afraid she will not eat enough after the doctor has told her she may be gaining too much. Please tell me what you think : )Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

In my first pregnancy i gain too much weight too quickly. When i was 3 months i looked 7 months!! The problem for me was i ate for 2 and also ate junk food.

I got gestational diabetes at 6 months because of this and i also had swollen ankles constantly.

If she was small and did gain too muc weight the above could happen, which can cause a problel. She may even get high blood pressure.

As far as what she is eating, it doesnt seem much. It could be as simple at she has a lot of fluid instead which is causing the weight gain.

I suggest you speak to a doc at the hospital where she is going to have the child and discuss your and her concerns.

Good luck

Carla

Answer 2

The suggested rate of weight gain is 0-4 lbs the first trimester, then a lb a week the 2nd, making it about 12-14 lbs, then maybe 10 more lbs the 3rd trimester--so like 25 overall. Your sister is already toward the upper end of total recommended gain and is bound to gain more over the next 20 weeks.

Doctors recommend this level of weight gain not only to make losing postpartum weight easier but also for the following reasons:
fetus measurement becomes more difficult
more backaches and pain can result
fatigue can increase
varicose veins are more likely
vaginal delivery may become difficult if the baby becomes too large
there are postpartum risks with too much weight after a cesarean

Also, there is concern with that much weight gain that quick that the weight is more likely attributed to junk food than nutritionally sound choices.

Of course gestational diabetes and thyroid problems are also possibilities in this situation.

The doctor was not unnecessarily insensitive, you see.

Answer 3

Seriously, she is only half there and if she gains the same amount in the second half that she has in the first than she will be fine. I gained 30 lbs with mine and the Dr said that was normal. I think the only reason the Dr is concerned is because women tend to gain more in the second half of pregnancy and he might not want her to get over a certain weight. I don't think she's on the track to gain too much, some women gain weight in the end and some in the beginning. Let her know that she needs to continue to eat healthy and whatever she gains is what was right for her baby.

Answer 4

I hope this doctor did blood-work to check her thyroid. I had a thyroid problem and the only time it really showed up BAD was when I was preg. I gained 50 lbs with each of my 4 children! I lost it after BUT 2 of my children have thyroid problems that I wonder if they would have had if I'd been taking meds to correct the problem.
Please tell her that she needs to take care of herself because that is how she can care for her baby until it is in her arms!
Love is the answer! Pandora

Answer 5

My doctor told me I was gaining too much weight, and I would have trouble after I gave birth. I told her to shut up. Now, 6 months after the baby, I am still 20 pounds overweight - the doctor was right in my case, maybe your sister's doctor meant something similar.

Answer 6

As long as she does some light exercise and eats healthy (lots of protien), then how much she gains is just how much she gains. I switched from docter to midwife for the very same reason, and 8 weeks ago gave birth to a 6lb 15oz very healthy baby.

Answer 7

Because she can get diabetes while she is pregnant! High blood pressure an that is not good for the baby!
basic complications. gaining weight is fine but too much weight can put her at risk and her unborn child

Answer 8

i really think she needs a new doctor she still has 20weeks to go.