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Expert Q&A

	By Traci Kurtzer Obstetrician and Gynecologist

I am in my third trimester with twins. My average weight prior to pregnancy was 155. I am now weighing 177. My doctor is telling me I am not gaining enough weight. I understand I am carrying two babies, but I can only eat so much. Have I not gained enough weight? I understand they would like me to gain enough so that if I don't go full term, the babies would at least get enough nutrition needed for development, but is this still a bad thing – not gaining 35 pounds at this time?

Weight gain in pregnancy has a lot to do with your baseline height and weight and whether you fall into the low weight for height, average weight for height or high weight for height categories. If you were already overweight, then your overall weight gain in pregnancy would be less.

If your doctor is concerned that you really are falling behind, you can supplement your diet with high protein/carbo bars. Also, as I'm sure is being done, regular ultrasounds to ensure adequate growth of your babies is important. If Mom isn't gaining weight like I would expect, but her fetus is staying on track, then I don't worry too much about it.

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