Eating....

 I noticed my eating has changed a bit. I gained 4 lbs and now lost it. I've tried protein shakes but currently can't tolerate milk. Yet I can eat cheese like there is no tomorrow. My high risk doc wants me to gain it back. He wants me to gain 25lbs during the pregnancy at least. (I have an incompetent cervix and have a cerclage sewn June 28 then bedrest off and on the rest of the pregnancy. I lost a child before at 27 weeks. So my activity level is 20 minute walks and some swimming.) Anyways... 
What portions can do you eat? What do you eat? Caloric intake? Any advice or example days you can give me. I just don't want to eat too little (which the dr. thinks) or too much... Thank you in advance!

I haven't gained any weight and my OB-GYN doesn't seem to be concerned. She says as long as the baby keeps growing, it's going to take the nutrients it needs from your body.

I am stille ating small portions, but I try to eat more times during the day. I just got really bad GERD last month and that's causing me to not keep everything down. I am also trying to focus on getting protein in first.

My first question to you is about the milk. Have you tried Lactaid Milk? The reason you might be able to tolerate cheese is because there is WAY less lactose in most cheeses than there is in milk itself. I would try Lactaid or some other lactose free milk if you haven't already. I also take the chewable Lactaid supplement whenever I eat dairy products and that helps as well as I am severely lactose intolerant.

At this point in my pregnancy I am probably getting between 1800 & 2000 calories per day (I have gained 27 pounds with about 5 weeks to go). In order to get that much I have 6-8 small meals or snacks per day. Your doc should be the one to tell you how many calories you need to eat. A lot of it depends on the weight you start out at. Do you know about how many you are eating now?

Tina

 I haven't tried that Lactaid Milk yet. Thank you for the suggestion.  Right now I'm about 1300 calories. My protein isn't as high as it should be. I started at 138. My high risk, gastric bypass surgeon, and regular ob all agree with needing the weight gain. They said since I didn't start out big to begin with. I know there are alot of people that don't gain any weight at all or lose weight. This is just the guidelines they have for me and this pregnancy. 

My Ob doesn't worry about the weight with me since I am no where near goal (about half way there). With Tristan I lost 22 pounds and gained it all back in the 3rd trimester. I have hyperemesis and find it difficult to eat so if it stays down I eat it until it makes me sick (normally the next day). My surgeon said with my last pregnancy that there's no reason for me to eat any differently since I'm not at goal. The baby will get everything it needs from my vitamins and the little food I ate. (something about they only need 300 calories or something... )

I don't worry about it as long as the baby is growing. (They do several sonograms with me to monitor growth).


Good luck!