Hello:

I am about 4 months pregnant. I was 150 before getting pregnant and have shot up to 178 in the 4 months. Doctor is disappointed and I have to do something. I've been on Metabolic 1 time before but got off once I became pregnant. I went to eating horrible foods and have really packed on the pounds. I signed up today and it was a new program. I guess they tailor a menu for me; it is some new program they are offering. I plan to drink the protein drinks but will not take any vitamins or supplements as I have my prenatal vitamins. Please let me know your honest thoughts. Do you think it is okay to be on the program while pregnant? I view it as eating healthy and getting extra protein so don't see a problem.

I recently started maintenance, and we are TTC now. I asked their advice for if/when I do get pregnant, and my center told me they now have a program for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Basically, they get your info and send it off to a dietician/nutritionist. Sounds really good to me, but I think if I do end up going that route, I'm going to ask my Dr. to OK whatever plan they come up with before I actually do it.

I'm sure it's fine, but like I mentioned, you might want to make sure your Dr. sees it and approves before you get too far into it. Your health and the baby's health are the most important things right now.

I don't think there would be too much wrong with it as long as you get enough carbs-- baby's brain uses carbs to develop. I'm not a doctor, though, so I would absolutely get the program approved by your doctor first.

That said, I was at 160 when I realized I was pregnant and stopped MRC. I, too, gained almost 25 lbs. in the first trimester. After that I sort of gave up since I had already gained so much. I had terrible nausea until 16 weeks, and I ate to keep from getting sick-- that and having so much sudden freedom after seven months on MRC was not a good combination.

I can imagine how you feel, and from my perspective now, anything you can do (while keeping you and baby healthy of course) to avoid gaining way too much is a good idea. I really wish I had looked into this if they had it at that point. Besides, gaining too much is not healthy for either of you. Whatever excess you gain now will still be there after the baby weight is gone. By about six months after the birth, I had lost about 30 lbs. without trying, but the rest was mine to keep.

I would double check with your doctor once you have the actual program. Getting enough carbs is important. The other thing that could be a concern is that eating so much protein (espeically with the HNS) can put some extra stress on your kidneys so if you have had any type of kidney problem in the past I would be careful - but basically I would follow my doctor's advice and make sure you drink enough water.

Mariah