Cramping and trouble gaining weight
I'm four weeks along in my second pregnant. My first pregnancy ended at the six weeks. Now I'm having abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps -- usually twinges once or twice a day. Also, I only weigh about 110 pounds; gaining weight, even before my pregnancy, has always been a problem.
Question:Peg Plumbo CNM
Peg Plumbo has been a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) since 1976. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and currently teaches in the... Read more
Please try not to worry. If you DIDN'T have these cramps, it would be a concern. The uterus is accommodating to the implantation, and you may even spot a bit at this time. The uterus is growing, and as it does so, it contracts. Everything in nature and the human body seems to follow a pattern of ebb and flow. Two steps forward, one step back; even labor is like that. As your uterus contracts, it is gaining the muscle strength to enlarge, and associated cramping is part of the process.
Weight gain dictums have always been quite rigid, but recently we are fine- tuning our recommendations to accommodate women's body types. You may not gain the 25 to 35 pounds that is generally recommended. Adequate intake of nutrient and fluid is the prime consideration. You may benefit from a protein drink or sports shake daily or a few times per week. Consult a nutritionist or dietitian; they are an excellent and much under-utilized resource for appropriate diet in pregnancy.
I hope you have a successful pregnancy this time.
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