Greetings and Salutations. I am back at work today after what seemed like a very short break. We did a few days of Christmas family stuff, then went to Chicago for a few days.
Our friends up there had been buying up baby stuff on Craigslist for us, so we had to go pick it up. While we were there, we also went to IKEA, which I consider the most awesome store on earth. Everything is so cool looking yet inexpensive. (If they can do it, why can't Wal-Mart?) We packed the car within an inch of its life and hauled it all back to Memphis. We are now officially ready to start putting together the nursery. We bought a dresser and closet organizers. Now . . . if we only had the things that go in the dresser drawers and on the closet shelves . . .
Even though we didn't spend a lot of money on food while we were there, I did manage to drift into every bakery I came across. It's really so nice to have a temporary reprieve from extreme dieting. However, 10 pastries later, I am trying to cut down on the carbs and sugar.
I go for my mandatory glucose screening next week sometime, and I do not want to be in the danger zone. Developing gestational diabetes is a serious risk that would take me out of work, which would be disastrous for me, seeing as how I have no more days off for the rest of the school year. So, last night I got out my Ultrametabolism book and made a loose eating plan for the week. I'm not going to worry about portions, but I am going to eat from that menu and try to avoid things extra treats like chocolate, cookies, and ice cream. I looked for recipes with ingredients high in DHAs for the baby's brain development, like flax, avocados, and eggs.
I expect to see the scale hit 200 at my monthly appointment Friday. (BTW--I'm not going to chart my current weight until after the baby is born.) It's pretty frightening, and I really need to try to curtail any unnecessary weight gain from this point on. Actually, I'm starting to get so uncomfortable that I'm a little more motivated. My knees hurt and I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without taking a break. Plus, I've started snoring again and my acid reflux is back--both things that had disappeared with weight loss.
A few recent comments have made me a little self-conscious about my weight gain. No fewer than three people said to me over the holidays that I didn't look pregnant. HUH???? I've gained 40 pounds! One of those people hadn't seen me for two years and probably thought I looked slimmer than I did the last time she saw me. But just yesterday a check-out clerk at Home Depot told me that.
I guess if I don't look pregnant, I must just look fat! So sad . . . Maybe I should start wearing more trapeze tops that say "Baby on Board!"
Posted By: ashleyb
Comments to this post:
01/02/2008 13:56
Gestational Diabetes
I had it when I was pregnant. I had to give myself two shots of insulin a day. (We tried to control it with diet first, but that didn't work.) Just curious, why would you have to take off work for that?
Yeah, I hated that "in between" period when I didn't really look pregnant, just big. I think people are so scared to talk about the whole pregnant woman thing. It's become so taboo. Just start waddling and rubbing your belly whenever you're out. LOL!
Getting questions about your pregnancy when you're just fat, or comments that you don't look pregnant when you are? It's a catch-22 for everyone involved, I think. There is a woman at my yoga studio who is about 5 months pregnant and was complaining the other day that she looked fat instead, but she was kicking my butt in an intermediate yoga class so it certainly isn't a matter of being unfit, it's just the way her body took on the baby weight. There is no right way to "look pregnant." You can worry about how you look after you're done being pregnant--your body is doing more important things than looking hawt right now.
What do you need for your nursery? I'm having a bout of baby lust right now so maybe I can satiate it by shopping for my pregnant friends!
When I had my baby I weighed 203 pounds. Then when I went back for my 6 week check-up, I was 175 pounds. That was without even trying! (Remember, I didn't start 'trying' for real until 13 years later!)
So while I think it's a good idea for you to eat avocados and flax instead of pastry, don't worry too much about the weight gain. Did your doctor give you a set amount to gain? Mine told me about 30 pounds, but that was a long time ago and advice changes. (I actually only gained 21 pounds, but it wasn't because I was holding back. Oh man when I think about the stuff I ate when I was pregnant!)
one has to be really careful when one notices someone gains weight. If one assumes it's a pregnancy and it's not that does it for a very uncomfortable situation. As you pointed out, some who haven't seen you for a while, might actually think you have slimmed down instead of gotten pregnant. Enjoy putting up the nursery and while I agree that you should not be as worried as before about the diet part, quality still plays a part and you should keep up the exercise. I have never been pregnant so forgive me for sounding so lecturing without permission or expertise. LOL. Good luck and happy new year.
I don't really have any pearls of wisdom to offer you beyond this... Keep in mind..this is from someone who has never been pregnant, and doesn't plan on ever being pregnant, but is surrounded by a bunch of friends who are new moms.
Take some time to take this all in, slow things down, and enjoy it. I know you are feeling uncomfortable, but it's a good uncomfortable. And this is something you've wanted for a very long time. And in the end, a healthy baby is a very worthwhile reward. The weight will come off, and you will have many a night where you will ache for a sleep so good that you snore
I agree, at least you ARE pregnant. I have to answer, no, fat. I must be hard to adjust to an expanding waist line after having fought so hard to lose so much weight and struggling to be thin. Just remind yourself that it's not all fat this time, and it's for a good cause! This is a time to be healthy and enjoy your baby that is growing inside of you, not to worry about your weight.
Good luck! Can't wait to see pregnancy and baby pics! (Hint, hint!)
I think that you are doing such a great job and realizing what you want for your baby... and I think it's completely reasonable request that you make sure your hubby doesn't bring the junk food into the house!
I must be hard to adjust to an expanding waist line after having fought so hard to lose so much weight and struggling to be thin. Just remind yourself that it's not all fat this time, and it's for a good cause! This is a time to be healthy and enjoy your baby that is growing inside of you, not to worry about your weight.