My Weight Re-Visited

Yesterday I went back to the gynecologist for another exam and to see if my progesterone shots were doing the job of making sure my baby stayed put. We are happy to report, all is well and I am doing fine with excellent blood pressure I might add. For the past two weeks, the baby has been in a head down position and it looks like he/she is ready to make his/her appearance soon.

I was a bit anxious as I sat in the Doctor’s office yesterday. I wanted to tell him that I thought the dietician was full of sh*t and I did not want to follow her advice (she is a colleague of his) but I instead listed my objections:

1. I felt her analysis of my “ideal weight” 58-60 kilos was unrealistic for my body type.

2. I do not agree with taking pills instead of eating healthy, real food.

3. Her restriction on diary products seemed extreme and just plain wrong.

4. Her goal of having me lose 5 kilos, or 10 pounds during my 8th month of pregnancy seemed impossible and pretty crazy.

He listened to me, and then said the following:

1. Since I began pregnancy I have gained 12 kilos, 26 pounds and he feels that is plenty.

2. He agrees that losing 5 kilos at this stage is hard and I should not try to do it.

3. He thinks taking a calcium pill instead of having some dairy is fine.

4. He hopes that I maintain my weight for the next 8 weeks and not gain any more. I feel guilty about this and do not want to disappoint him but know that is unrealistic for me. (When I hopped on the scale, I had lost .5 kilos or 1 pound from 2 weeks ago.)

Although I like this gynecologist a lot I cannot believe some of the cultural differences Italians and Americans have concerning weight. I know America is fat; it is a fat country. Italy on the other hand is a very visual country but asking healthy pregnant women to gain a maximum of 10 kilos or 20 pounds during the entire course of their pregnancies seems unrealistic. 5-10 pounds here or there does not seem like a big deal to me but in Italy, it is. A friend of mine said her boss gained only 6 kilos during her pregnancy, which is 12 pounds. She is of medium height and medium build, Yikes!

I just re-watched “Super Size Me” last night and was grossed out by the fast food lifestyle. Having said that I feel I make wonderful choices, I do not eat fast food, junk food and I do not drink soda, at all. I cook whole foods, a large variety of many fruits, vegetables and grains. I feel healthy which is what matters to me.

Part of me wishes I were back in the US where I would be praised by my friends, family and doctors for being active, looking healthy and eating right. Here I am chastised, critized and made to feel like I am harming my body and my baby.

***NOTE: I want to thank everyone for their supportive comments. It is hard when everyone around you thinks differently than you do and you do not receive much support. I knew I could count on my expat friends and blog friends to lend a helpful ear.

***NOTE #2: I do not understand why drinking 3-5 espresso shots a day, tanning until you look like an expensive alligator purse, driving without seatbelts/car seats (esp. for kids), riding a bike without a helmet are all okay. However, if you gain 5-10 pounds extra during your pregnancy, you are a thought of as a criminal.

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