So, as I mentioned in the previous post, the Japanese are a bit more strict about the weight that women gain during pregnancy. The recommendation here is that women gain between 8 and 10 kg (17.6 to 22.0 pounds). This recommendation is EVERYWHERE! It is repeated, again and again, at each class at my clinic. It is printed in at least three different places inside of my mothers book. And it is stated on any number of pieces of paperwork that has been given to me by my clinic. Needless to say, it seems that everyone is a little over-the-top obsessed with the whole issue.
Mainly, I find it interesting how different it is from American standards. In America it is recommended that women (who are neither over nor underweight) gain about 25-37 pounds (11-17 kg). This is quite a stark difference from the Japanese standard, and I don’t quite understand it. I mean, sure, Japanese babies tend to be a touch smaller. So, that might account for a bit of the difference, perhaps a pound or so, but there seems to be more to the story than that.
The American Pregnancy Association explains where all the weight goes when women are pregnant:
7.5 pounds (3.4 kg) – Weight of Baby
1.5 pounds (.68 kg) – Placenta
4 pounds (1.8 kg) – Increased Fluid Volume
2 pounds (.9 kg) – Weight of Uterus
2 pounds (.9 kg) – Weight of Breast Tissue
4 pounds (1.8 kg) – Increased Blood Volume
7 pounds (3.2 kg) – Maternal Fat Stores, Protein, and Other Nutrients
2 pounds (.9 kg) – Amniotic Fluid
Grand Total: 30 pounds (13.6 kg)
Now, I don’t imagine that a whole lot of this is different between Americans and Japanese. Sure, the baby might be a touch smaller. Accounting for .5 kg or so. But the rest seems like it would be pretty standard across the board, so I am not really understanding the big difference in recommendations.
I am wondering if it has more to do with this idea that women must “endure” pregnancy and childbirth here. There seems to be this general, pervasive philosophy where women must be stoic and must make many sacrifices to become mothers, perhaps this is one of them.
Secondly, I am wondering if it just has to do with the Japanese preoccupation with body image and looks, even during and immediately after pregnancy. After all, the hara-obi helps women to keep things smaller and more smoothed out. Most of the women at my classes, even though they are just as pregnant as I am look significantly less pregnant. Additionally, after delivery women are encouraged to begin wearing a girdle or a corset (the hospital even supplies them if women forget to bring one in their hospital bag) to help them return to their slim, pre-pregnant shape as quickly as possible. So, perhaps by encouraging a smaller gain during pregnancy, they are helping women to return to their normal, slim Japanese shape quickly afterwards.
All that being said, I have yet to meet a woman that has stayed within the recommended boundaries. What is sadder than that, however, is that they share this information like it is a dirty little secret. All the women in my due date month at the clinic, have already, or are well on their way, to exceeding the recommended gain. Surprisingly, I am one of the smallest gainers in the group (only one woman has gained less than me). The weird thing about this, however, is that each of the Japanese women have been lectured by the doctor and midwives at the clinic, warning them to watch themselves. One, having gained close to 12 kg (26.5 lb) already, has started a diet where she is just eating a banana for breakfast. I, on the other hand, have received no such warnings or lectures. No one has said a word to me. I’m not sure if this is because they just don’t know what to say, or if they understand that the recommendations are different in different countries.
Countless other women have come up to me to discuss my pregnancy and their own. And each one of them has reluctantly, and with shame, shared that they gained more than they were supposed to (17 kg, 15 kg, 18 kg). Once they confide their little secret, they remind me to be careful. That I must watch my weight. With a smile, I usually tell them that I am feeling great, and the baby seems healthy, so I am going to keep on keeping on.
And so I will, for at least another month or so. I’m going to keep doing the same.
