Suggestions for helping my baby gain wt, even thru my malabsorbtion

I am 25 wks pregnant, but my baby is only measuring 21wks. I am eating as much as i can, but she is still not growing. i had my gastric bypass surgery on 7/8/08 and so I was a year out before my pregnancy started. I just need some helpful suggestions for getting my baby to grow. i only have 6 wks from yesterday to get a major growth spurt out of her or they are going to declare this a preemie birth and I will have to deliver at a different hospital, a level 3 one whaever that means). I just know my OB won't be there, I'll be far from home and my baby will have to stay at the hospital after I go home. I don't want this so I need your help , please...what can i eat or drink or do to get her to grow ??
Thank you ,
April

Try drinking Ensure's or Boost drinks.  That is what I was told to help increase my calories.  You can also go back to protein shakes if you were able to tolerate them.  A level 3 hospital is one that has a NICU unit...I believe. 

a level 3 nicu is nicu for more sickly babies... as she suggested the protein drinks...  ensure... stuff like that.. whole milk.. peanut butter... i dont want to tell you to eat cheetos and taco bell.. but you get the idea..

Hi,

It is really tough I know.  My baby has measured small for a while now between the 5th and 14th percentiles.  My midwife told me to eat more and rest more and I already felt that I was eating all the time. I added whole milk, and increased my protein, and am snacking constantly.
 
I really haven't gained that much weight since I had to start doing that, I have gained about 35lbs this pregnancy. The good news was that at my last ultrasound this week the baby's estimated weight was 5lbs and 8oz.  

I also was able to stop working, which I think has helped. Good Luck

Thank you so much for your help. I will try to go back on protein shakes and rest more. It is kind of hard with two kids to care for, but my husband is being really helpful so I may be able to rest more. I just wonder, when did you learn the baby had gained wt, in your 30th wk?
thanks,
April

My last growth scan was at 36 weeks.  I was first told she was on the small side at my 18 week level 2 u/s, they were not concerned at that point.  I went for a growth scan at 28 weeks and that was when the concern started.  I have had growth scans every 2 weeks since to monitor her growth. I also had a repeat level 2 u/s at 34 weeks.  She was growing the entire time, in the last 2 weeks she put on a pound.  I am not going to have any more ultrasounds at this point.

Did they tell you what exactly is measuring small (ie all or some of the measurements, the head, the abdomen, the long bones)?

Yes, they said her long bones are just where they should be , but her abdomen and head are smaller at 21 wks when they should be 25 wks. They really started the concern this wk, and they said she needs to grow in 6 wks to be considered for a normal hospital delivery.

On the unhealthy end... Shortbread cookies.  I like Walkers.  Very low sugar, gobs of butter.

I am 30wks, and in the same boat. The dr. put me on bed rest as of yesterday, and i'm seeing a specialist on friday. My babies head measurment is only at 24%, and her stomach is at 2%- although her femur bone is measuring at 98%. My OB/GYN thinks she may have IUGR. As far as her weight, she only is weighing 2 lbs, 12 oz. - Now that I'm on bed rest, i'm am going to start Ensure Drinks.- Hopefully that will at least help her weight.

I dont have any real input other then what the other ladies have said. I'm right there with ya.

That's really funny that some many others have this same issue. When I had my 20 week U/S they told me he was measuring at 18 weeks. Then I had another one at 23 weeks and he was still measuring  2-3 weeks behind.  Now I beleive I am around 27 weeks and I am gaining, 12lbs and I think maybe another 5lbs from Xmas this month. I am hoping to see some good growth soon. But they didn't seem very concerned only that they were going to be doing another U/S in a few weeks.