Should pregnant women eat for two or three or four? Our midwife comforts a worried mum-to-be.

Raisingkids member's problem
I'm 29 weeks pregnant and I'm so hungry, all the time. I can't stop myself from eating and I'm eating so much that I'm making myself sick. It's not for any other reason than the fact I feel hungry. My baby is already measuring three weeks oversize. Is this normal? Obviously I don't like being sick but I really cannot stop! I have not slept in days because I am so uncomfortable - my stomach feels like it's going to burst. I'm only small (5'2" and 7st 9lb), yet I still feel I need to eat. Is there anything you can suggest? I have tried just stopping but it's not quite that simple. My next appointment is not for three weeks and I don't really want to bother my midwife for one question.

Midwife Genevieve Kingston's Advice
Are you sure you're really overeating, or just eating more than you usually do? Sounds like a stupid question, I know, but your calorie needs do increase whilst you are pregnant.

It may also be that you could do to look at what it is you are eating, and what you could use that is more filling, ie if you really, really want chocolate and are eating huge amounts of it, try a cereal that is filling but sweet (I'm using porridge myself at the moment as a chocolate substitute).

Ensure you are getting enough to drink as sometimes thirst signals become confused with hunger signals.

Being uncomfortable at night might have nothing to do wth how much you are eating but the fact that your pregnancy is progressing. As your womb and breasts get bigger and heavier they do become more cumbersome at night and drag when you are lying on your side. Try placing a thin pillow under your tummy (you'll need to experiment to find out where to put it) and another one behind your back. You may need to invest in a sleep bra to help support the weight of your breasts. Good luck!