Monday, August 30, 2010

Multiple Pregnancy Nutrition

I just received a couple of books that I ordered specifically geared toward women who are expecting multiples.  I am currently reading this one:
I am SO glad that I got this book after it was recommended by several women on one of the boards I read.  It is extremely informative and makes me realize that I really need to step some things up.

For example, Dr. Barbara Luke, one of the authors of the book, has done extensive studies on nutrition and women pregnant with multiples.  She is a founder of a couple of clinics focusing solely on mothers to be of multiples.  By following her program most of the babies born to women in her program come out healthier and weighing more at birth than women who don't follow her nutritional and health guidelines.  She has been in the multiples business for over 40 years and is well thought of in that realm.

Ultimately it comes down to the fact that I am not eating enough.  I think I already knew that before but the arguments she makes in the book really make me realize that I need to gain more weight earlier on because as I get further along in the pregnancy it is going to be harder for me to get the nutrition that I need because my stomach won't have enough room to take in everything I need.  So I need the reserves.

Dr. Luke recommends that women pregnant with twins gain between 20 and 25 pounds by week 20, and a total of 40-56 by delivery.  I have gained almost 9 and I will be at 15 weeks on Wednesday.  Even though I was overweight when I got pregnant these numbers still apply to me.  Um, yeah, I need to eat a bit more. 

Of course she doesn't recommend going out and gorging on cake and cookies which I would enjoy but eating healthfully.  At this point I especially need protein and fat as well as iron.  It is recommended that I get 2 3 oz. servings of red meat every day.  We don't really eat red meat.  Not because we don't like it but because it is so fatty (and expensive - plus John is watching what he eats so he doesn't gain sympathy weight this time around).  I'll have to figure out how to get it in.  She does say that going out and getting a burger is fine but limit the fries.  Just be smart about your choices.

One other thing that I'm finding difficult is the 8 servings of dairy that I should get.  Most of you know that I DO NOT like milk (Kelley and Cindy know this well).  One serving of milk is 8 oz.  And whole milk is supposed to be best but I can't go there.  I'm going to try 2% and see how it goes.  So I have gotten Carnation Instant Breakfast and some chocolate milk mix to make sure I get some milk.  I've also gotten quite a bit of cheese to snack on.  The great thing is that ice cream counts toward the dairy.  And I'm not talking the low fat version - they say to go for the premium.  So yes, Mom, there will be some Blue Bell full fat ice cream in my freezer when you and Dad come to visit this week.

There is so much more to the book that I could talk about but I'll stop there.  So wish me luck as I attempt to put on about 10 pounds in the next 5 weeks or so.  I honestly don't know if I can do it because I feel like I am eating all.the.time but I'm going to try.  I need to, for the babies' sake.

3 comments:

Mom said...

Full fat Blue Bell? I love their coffee or vanilla! :-) Except, I'm not supposed to be eating that. Be sure to talk to your doc about all this too.

Kelley said...

Hahaha!! I love that you're still hating on milk. I remember that so well ;-)

Sam said...

Wow!! Thanks for the info. I will definitely have to check this book out. I was worried about my weight gain (thinking it was too much) because I've gained 13 pounds. I guess I need to look into this more since I'm 19 weeks today and according to this I've got a few pounds to go! I'm glad you told me about this blog. I will check back often. I love it! Give Miss Olivia hugs and kisses from all of us down here in Porter and you guys take care (all 5 of you)!!