Menu: Pregnancy
It’s My Pregnancy, and I’ll Indulge in Carbs If I Want To
By Anonymous
Updated: Oct. 23, 2017
Originally Published: April 19, 2016
“Are you consuming a lot of carbohydrates?” This innocent question came from my obstetrician during my 32-week check-up last week, after she estimated that I was carrying a (already!) 4-pound-13-ounce baby.
She’s a wonderful doctor, and I genuinely appreciate her straightforwardness. However, her honesty can sometimes come off as blunt. Having dealt with countless pregnant women throughout her career, she seems unfazed by the potential displeasure of a woman, who is understandably sensitive about her size, carrying what seems to be an enormous baby.
In that moment, I felt like a child caught sneaking cookies from the jar. I stumbled over my words, attempting to explain that my petite mother managed to carry four babies, each weighing over 9 pounds. “It must be in our genes,” I offered in defense. My partner chuckled softly in the back, while her expression remained neutral, leading me to throw up my hands in surrender.
Okay, let’s be real. Yes, I’m all about the carbs right now.
Let me clarify. While I would love every meal to include quinoa, kale, and ethically sourced chicken, managing my 21-month-old toddler makes meal prep not just limited, but a low priority.
To my surprise, nausea has decided to stick around into the third trimester—especially during breakfast. “Why not try an egg-white omelette?” she suggested nonchalantly. Sure! I clearly have endless time and patience to separate eggs, chop ingredients to make the omelette palatable, and cook it just right, all while managing a toddler’s demands. Gag. And let’s not forget that I often forget to have lunch.
Most afternoons, once my little one is napping, I’m hit with intense pregnancy hunger, and with just a few taps on my phone, I’m ordering delivery. If I’m fortunate, I’ll delay dinner cooking long enough that my husband will volunteer to pick up groceries and prepare something that might meet the approval of my doctor.
But you know that uncomfortable bloated feeling you get after overindulging in carbs? Well, since my baby bump made its grand debut at 20 weeks, I haven’t experienced that—every shirt I wear is comfortably round and free of lumps. So, on that note, I plan to enjoy my temporary freedom from carb guilt for as long as I can. I figure it will all revert back to normal once the baby arrives, so why not savor this feeling for now?
Here’s the kicker: during my first pregnancy, I ate whatever I wanted, gained weight like it was a competition, and still managed to give birth to what I consider a perfect, healthy, and intelligent little person—without any noticeable deficiencies in chia seeds or flaxseeds, as far as I know. I then breastfed that little gem, and surprise! All those burgers evaporated within months with minimal effort on my part!
So please, spare me that knowing look, Doc, and don’t say, “You might find it’s different this time.” I’m not interested in your reality check right now. Let me learn this the hard way, as I only have five weeks left to go. Besides, how much bigger can this child grow in that time? Guess we’ll find out, won’t we, Doc?
I spoke to my mother, and she confirmed that the women in our family tend to gain substantial amounts of weight during pregnancy, only to lose it quickly. It’s just how we’re wired. We’re built to carry large babies, become larger ourselves, and then nurse those babies to mitigate these effects.
So, whether it’s the rapid weight gain and subsequent loss or the urge to indulge freely in food, it’s all in the genes. You can’t argue with science, Doc. You of all people should understand that.
Now, I need to head to my yoga class—or, as I like to call it, the grocery store to stock up on frozen yogurt since we’re out.
See you next week, Doc! That’s what I wished I could have said three hours after our appointment.
Summary:
This humorous piece reflects the author’s experience navigating cravings and weight gain during pregnancy. It highlights the challenges of meal prep while caring for a toddler, the complexities of pregnancy-related nausea, and the author’s unapologetic love for carbohydrates. Despite her doctor’s well-meaning concerns, she embraces her body and the unique journey of pregnancy, reminding readers that each experience is personal and often influenced by family history and genetics. For those exploring home insemination journeys, resources like this article can provide valuable insights, as well as these tips from experts in the field. For more information on pregnancy and related topics, check out this resource.
Keyphrase: Pregnancy cravings and weight gain
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