34 weeks pregnant! And I’ve gained 38 pounds. I have days when I feel fine about that and then other days when I wonder if I’ll ever wear my favorite jeans again. Even if I do have to grunt to get them on.
Captain and I head to the doctor. Usually we see a midwife. She’s been lovely, reassuring and telling me that my weight gain is right on track. The other day the doctor looks at my weight gain and tells me,
“There was a jump in your weight.”
Yes. I saw that. I’m growing a baby. The doctor asks,
“How are you eating?”
“I’m eating well.” Is that what she’s asking? She’s going to need to be more direct if she wants to know about my daily ice cream habit.
The doctor looks me up and down and declares,
“Well you look great.”
“Thanks.” Is her medical assessment that I’ve gained too much weight, but I look good so it may be ok? Also I’m 6 feet tall and maybe my weight gain is going to be more than a 5 foot tall woman.
I’m feeling annoyed, hormonal, hot and sweaty. She better finish this up soon. She measures my belly.
“You’re measuring right on track. Not too big.”
That’s what I thought. Then for the third time this appointment, she reminds me,
“Remember we’re aiming for you to gain 1/2 pound to a pound a week.”
Listen lady, I’m eating when I’m hungry and I’m not eating when I’m not hungry. It’s not my fault that my butt is in competition with my belly and is set on serving as counterweight.
I leave in a huff. Captain reassures me,
“You’re growing a baby, it’s your job to gain weight. You’re doing great.”
Thank you. I need an ice cream.
Good Times with Jess 
You look amazing!!! And the butt-to-belly counterpoint observation is a good one 😉
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Lots of doctors are totally like that – have number, fit patient to number. I’m tall and always gained 40 lbs (and lost it after). My sister’s taller (6’2″) and she always gains more. I always followed the “eat when hungry” rule and it worked for me. Your body knows what it’s doing.
But if that bothers you when it’s your doctor, wait until it’s your pediatrician talking about your kid. Then they can be recommending supplemental nutrition and extra weight checks, or making you worry that your baby is too chubby, or whatever. That’s why you need a good, calm pediatrician who realizes that new parents are already kind of freaked out and understands that some babies aren’t going to be right in the middle of the bell curve, and that’s okay. Because you’ll find plenty of other little things to worry about on your own – your doctor should make it better, not worse.
It’s worth finding a good one right from the start. Though I have to admit, we just kind of lucked out on that (she had a nice picture online).
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Thank you very much! Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Meeting a pediatrician next week, who also has a nice picture, so we’ll see!
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