This was how the advice was presented to me this time.
Midwife: "Are you exercising?"
Me: "Nope." (Uncomfortable laughter).
Midwife: (Annoying smile, like she knows better than me and she pities me). "Did you exercise during your last pregnancies?"
Me: "Yep." (More laughter).
Midwife: "Well you really should be exercising. 30 minutes a day, everyday. It will help you feel better and you will be stronger during delivery and make it easier to get back into shape afterwards."
Me: (I didn't mention NOT feeling well, in fact I feel great! Thank you very much! AND I always get fat during pregnancy but lose it fairly quickly and I am happy with my strategy. Did I ask for your advice?) (Nodding in pretend agreement).
Midwife: "How are your eating habits?"
Me: "Okay..."
Midwife: "Well you should really limit yourself to one little sweet snack maybe a day and one real dessert a week."
Me: "Okay." (Seriously! Did I ask? I'm definitely not going to volunteer that I had 5 or 6 ice cream sandwiches two days ago!)
Midwife: "It looks like since your last appointment you've gained nine pounds...which if you continue on in this way you will have gained about 33 to 38 pounds by the end of your pregnancy. Which does fall within normal range."
Me: "Okay thanks. I usually gain more but I lose it pretty quickly. I'm not too worried." (Seriously, seriously! Do you have to rub it in? Yes. I'm pregnant. I'm going to get fat and IF it falls within normal range why the freak show are you counseling me?)
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And that conversation happens EVERY pregnancy. Is it required for ob/gyns and midwives to give that "talk" to every "normal" pregnant lady?
If ever Wes and I decide to have another baby I am having serious thoughts about introducing myself to my doctor with this statement.
"Hi, I'm Brandy. If I'm within normal weight gaining ranges throughout this pregnancy, I don't want to be "counselled" on ways to maintain a "healthy" weight. It only makes me want to go home and blend up a big fat snickers bar into some thick and creamy ice cream followed by 6 or 7 cookies and maybe some candy from the snack drawer. Can you remember that? K,Thanks! It's nice to meet you!" :)
yes it is required. :P
ReplyDeleteHonestly I have to say that with #1 I really wasn't hassled about it. I started out overweight, so they just told me to be cautious. But nothing really more than that, they didn't even ask if I was exercising. I haven't had any questions asked with #2 yet either. The only food related thing this time was to try and get some protein right away in the morning, but thats about it. I am only 18 weeks and have gained about 10 lbs, which I'm sure is more than I should, but whatevs! Maybe its b/c I see boy drs and they know better than to mess with a pregnant woman. ahhaha Take it with a grain of salt if your not worried!
ReplyDeletehahaha SO understand! My first OB would tell me to limit calories and watch how much weight I gained (granted good advice but I don't need to hear it every visit!) My current OB is awesome. Every time I go in she says "you're weight looks good". And that is whether I gained 5 pounds or nothing at all. I like her.
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