Bedrest and weight gain

[hopingforit]

I've been on modified bedrest (bed to chair - make easy meals if no one is home - shower every other day - resting all other times) for almost 10 weeks now because of PTL and cervix issues. I noticed since I went on bedrest that I'm gaining a lot more very quickly. At my appointment last week, my dr mentioned nothin about my weight and said I need to continue with the bedrest. However, when I checked my chart online, she put down excess weight gain. I'm not eating more than I did when I wasn't on bedrest but I'm just gaining like crazy. So far, I've gained 49 lbs and goal gain with twins is 45-50. I've got another 6 week to go. If you were on bedrest, how did you avoid gaining so much weight? I know some of it is coming from swelling but I can tell that my legs and thighs have ballooned in size. How do I avoid gaining too much when I'm not able to do anything but lay around? Tips are appreciated.

 

[amjon]

You probably need to adjust your diet for your current activity level and cut back some.

 

[hopingforit]

I already don't eat as much as my dr told me I should be. I'm afraid if I cut down, the babies won't grow properly. Before pregnancy I ate maybe 1200 calories a day. Now I eat maybe 1600-1700 which is way under the 2500 the dr said I should get (1800 for normal diet plus 700 extra for twins), which is why I don't understand how I'm gaining so much.

 

[amjon]

I already don't eat as much as my dr told me I should be. I'm afraid if I cut down, the babies won't grow properly. Before pregnancy I ate maybe 1200 calories a day. Now I eat maybe 1600-1700 which is way under the 2500 the dr said I should get (1800 for normal diet plus 700 extra for twins), which is why I don't understand how I'm gaining so much.

Did they refer you to a dietician? If so, maybe you could call them up and tell them the issue. They should be able to help you out.

 

[hopingforit]

No they didn't. They pretty much just told me how much I needed to be eating and they weigh me at my appointments. That's all.

 

[amjon]

No they didn't. They pretty much just told me how much I needed to be eating and they weigh me at my appointments. That's all.

Could you ask for a referral? We also have one at work, so I called to see if she could do the twin nutritional with me instead of paying the hospital. I am going to go in a few weeks when we go back to work.

 

[flashy09]

Don't worry!! If you are eating the right amount of calories, let your body do what it wants. You may have extra fluid from not moving around much (I know my horses get fluid in their legs when on stall rest!). Or your body thinks it's necessary to store fat. Who knows, but pregnant with twins is not the time to worry as long as you are not overeating.

Plenty of people gain that much with just one. Everyone's body reacts differently.

 

[cherrylee]

I've gained 8 pounds on bed rest in the last week and a bit. Mine is mostly water weight, i can see the swelling but only when i wake up in the am but I'm sure the gain is there.

My DR isn't concerned because he said thinner people gain more weight but I'm crabby about it, at least if I'm going to gain weight is prefer it be weight gained for the baby not water retention!

I wouldn't stress too much about what the DR says or writes down, you're on bed rest what does she want from you?! You're pregnant so if you cut down on calories is that better than gaining weight?! I dunno I'm not a DR but I mean you're having twins so it's better to be safe than sorry right?! Besides most DRs like to just do things by the book BLAH!