Weight loss in first trimester & not happy with my ob/gyn

[sandandsun]

Ugh. Just came back from my 12-week appt. with my ob (my ultrasound is Thursday). Anyone else have an overly conservative/anxiety-producing doctor? I swear, I'm already a nervous person and my doctor just doesn't seem like a good fit for me. She makes everything seem like a bigger deal than it is, at least based on my research and comparing notes with other moms-to-be. It's not good for me.

One example from today: I've lost 2 pounds in the first trimester. Mostly because I wasn't eating as much due to morning sickness, but I also don't gain weight really easily because I have a good amount of muscle from being so active and my metabolism is pretty high for the same reason (even before pregnancy, I was eating ~2500 cals/day). By the way, I am 5'5" and around 124 lbs....so by no means underweight or concerning. I'm quite fit but a very healthy weight.

My ob kept saying she was concerned about my weight loss and kept calling it "a weight issue." She said "normally I wouldn't want to see you for four weeks, but I want to see you in two weeks because of the weight issue." Weight issue? Really?

It just seemed a little bit overboard. I eat all the time, especially this last week because my morning sickness is easing up.

Anyone else lose weight in the first tri? Is it really a big deal? Anyone else have an ob who goes a little overboard?

 

[PrincessMommy]

I have this time and with my son!! I lost like 8ibs with him and my ob said all is well. I used to be slimmer as well. A few pounds is completely normal. I think you need to switch to a different ob!!

 

[mammag]

I'm same height and basic starting weight as you, 128, I lost 6 lbs in my first tri and my doctor never batted am eye. Just said that I need to start gaining by 20 weeks as baby will take what it needs.

 

[LadyHutch]

heh. Yeah, your doc is a bit overboard. I have lost more than 15% of my body weight. Granted, I have HG, but my doc says the baby will take what it needs from me, just to do my best to get nutrition as I can.

 

[sandandsun]

Thanks for the responses, ladies. I appreciate it. It just reaffirms the fact that I may need to look for a new ob.

Although finding a new doctor and scheduling new appointments might be a pain at first, it's probably for the best. This doctor is not a good fit for me and gives me even more to worry about....

I'm personally not concerned about the tiny weight loss because I know how much I eat! My sister-in-law lost so much weight in her pregnancy from HG, as well, and her doctor wasn't that concerned until the last tri!

 

[_jellybean_]

In my experience (I'm in the US), it's better to find a new OB in 1st trimester because many doctors around me won't take new patients if you're in 2nd trimester (or later). I think it's very important to feel comfortable with your OB, and since she stresses you out, I'd start looking for a new one right away. You can make appointments for a couple, and go to meet them and see what you think before choosing one. I had a male OB who was awesome! I was sad when I had my baby because I knew I'd miss him.

 

[sandandsun]

I agree. I think if I'm going to find a new doctor, I need to find one soon since I'm already 12 weeks. Even my husband agrees I need to find someone who is reassuring and makes me feel comfortable, not worried all the time.

Also, I mentioned the weight situation to my coworker. Her response:

"Your doctor is judging you! She thinks you're TRYING to avoid gaining weight, which is why she wants to see you so soon. You know how many looks-obsessed women there are around here? She sees that you're already small and dressed well (I work in a professional environment). Why else would she be concerned about hardly a 2 lb weight loss when you're this early? That's stupid."

I'm not sure if I agree, but I guess that makes sense. I live in a wealthy area where women tend to "dress to impress" and get plastic surgery, etc. I just can't understand why else my ob would be so concerned about a 1.5-2 lb weight loss this early! I know women who have lost so much more! I do look smaller than my weight because I'm athletic/lean...who knows. If this is the case, I definitely want to switch doctors! I eat every 2 hours! I'm still annoyed about the whole thing.

 

[mammag]

I'm trying to avoid gaining too much weigh. Lol. Your doctor would hate me. I did 1800 calories a day (pre-workout) before I was pregnant, and refuse to eat a ton of calories now. I have a tendacy to get chunky and have to be careful, I can't really measure and count now as OH wouls have a cow, but I pretty much know what I'm taking in and try to stay around 2300. I will not gain 80 lbs that I'm going to have to kill myself to lose at 30 years old!

 

[sandandsun]

I'm trying to avoid gaining too much weigh. Lol. Your doctor would hate me. I did 1800 calories a day (pre-workout) before I was pregnant, and refuse to eat a ton of calories now. I have a tendacy to get chunky and have to be careful, I can't really measure and count now as OH wouls have a cow, but I pretty much know what I'm taking in and try to stay around 2300. I will not gain 80 lbs that I'm going to have to kill myself to lose at 30 years old!

Yeah, she probably wouldn't be happy with you! lol But I completely understand - gaining too much weight is not good, either! While I've never counted calories, I've always eaten healthy foods and I try to eat organic as much as I can. I'm not going to stop eating well or exercising because I'm pregnant. I just listen to my body. I know the weight will catch up with me, and if it doesn't, I'll eat more then! I just don't know what my doctor expects at only 12 weeks...I'm still so early!

 

[Selaphyna]

Sounds like your doctor is going overboard and would suggest looking for a new doctor soon.

I'm heavier than you, and lost 8lbs in 1st tri. I am just now gained 5 of those lbs back in the last 6 weeks or so. My doctor didnt' bat an eye. And seem like she would bat an eye at someone your size for losing weight either because it happens, especially in the 1st tri due to morning sickness. I'm trying to not gain too much weight, but again I'm a bit bigger than you. I've been told I should gain more than 15lbs, so that's what I'm hoping for. With my son, I was 140 before pregnancy (very active and in shape), didn't lose any, but ended up gaining 46 1/2 lbs.

 

[Dumpling]

Id refuse to get on the scales!! We get weighed twice in the uk, once at 8ish weeks & once at 36! Definitely sounds like you need to find someone who suits you better. x

 

[Kalabear]

Hey Hun! I lost 4 kg in the first trimester and my dr was never worried! One month (I can't remember which one but towards the end) I gained 8 lbs and he came in and just said "sooooo you've gained 8 lbs. this month." Haha I think that was his way of telling me to not eat so much. I still laugh about this with my DH.
I actually have a family dr who delivered my DS and he is our baby's dr along with my non pregnancy related dr. I love it. He knows our family and dynamic well. I feel so comfortable with him! I would definitely look at switching drs. It is such a stressful and special time...dont Let anyone ruin it for you!

 

[Surprised26]

I'm on the other end of it. I have a BMI of around 30, and at my appointment I was told about how I need to watch what I'm eating, blah blah. I just kind of looked at her like she was crazy. I've had morning sickness so bad that I've lost nearly 15 pounds, barely able to keep anything down at all. I actually even rolled my eyes, I have enough of a fight trying to keep ANYTHING down, I'm sure as hell not going to cut out the only things that will stay (crackers, high carb foods, ect). I think the problem is that these doctors don't view you as an individual and take in consideration that your body may not be exactly like other people in your weight range. For you they see you are thin and automatically assume you're not taking care of yourself and your baby, for me they see that I'm bigger and automatically I must be chain scarfing twinkies. Either way it's bullshit. If I were in your shoes I'd definitely consider a switch, pregnancy is enough of a journey on its own without being scolded.

 

[sandandsun]

Thank you all for the responses. It sounds like a lot of you can relate. At first I was hesitant about a switch, but after talking to my husband/friends and reading these, it sounds like this situation is abnormal and a switch is best. I've started looking already! This is such a precious experience in my life, and I want to feel excited when I go to the doctor, not worried my doc is going to judge me or go overboard with everything.

I think it's f'ing ridiculous that she wants me to come back in 2 weeks (at 14 weeks) to check my weight. What if I don't gain anything by then? Is she going to discipline me?

Surprised26- "I think the problem is that these doctors don't view you as an individual and take in consideration that your body may not be exactly like other people in your weight range. For you they see you are thin and automatically assume you're not taking care of yourself and your baby, for me they see that I'm bigger and automatically I must be chain scarfing twinkies. Either way it's bullshit."

You are so dead on with that statement! She doesn't know my eating habits and metabolism. I've seen pregnant women who gained very little weight and women who've gained a lot. All have had healthy babies. What matters is that you're listening to your body and putting (mostly) good things in it. Everyone's body reacts differently to pregnancy!

 

[minties]

Sounds like an annoying doctor. I lost about 16lbs in first tri both times and no one cared. My midwife with my daughter said it was fine.