June 6, 2011
The Girl That Swallowed The Basketball
Everyone says that when you’re pregnant with your third or beyond, you pop a lot faster. I don’t know about that being true. They also say that if your abs are in good shape, your muscles hold that baby back closer to your spinal column longer. I entered this pregnancy the lightest I’ve been, compared to my other two pregnancies and probably in the best shape of any of the three too. It took a while for me to truly “show;” but now there’s no doubt.
I’m 22.5 weeks right now and Sassy reminds me daily that my belly is “HUGE!” She has no idea how ridiculously huge I’m going to get. I remember with each of the girls, being 36 weeks pregnant and thinking, “I can’t possibly get any bigger. . . ” and then I did.
Yesterday, Mr. BBM and I were at Lowe’s and decided to divide and conquer. As I was walking aisle to aisle, people kept looking at me funny. One couple stood there and was obviously talking about me as I walked by. I started doing a mental inventory. Was my nose running? My hair sticking up? Did I have something on my shirt? On my pants? Why were people looking at me?
I met up with Mr. BBM and asked him if I looked ok. “Yeah, why?” he asked.
“People are looking at me funny. I just feel like something isn’t right.”
Mr. BBM started to laugh and pointed at my stomach. “It’s probably because the only place you look pregnant is right there,” he said. “It’s comical. Most pregnant people don’t look like you.”
I looked down at my protruding stomach. It truly does look like I’ve swallowed a basketball. I still have the indentations at my waist. I can still feel my hip bones below the baby bump. Despite eating plenty, the only place I am carrying this baby is straight out front. Following the gestational diabetes diet from the start has made a big impact. To date, I have gained only 4 lbs. I am hoping that means this baby will be the smallest one yet with an easy deliver and that I’ll be able to get back in shape quickly. I am especially hoping that I am able to continue avoiding a gestational diabetic diagnosis. So far, so good. . .
I was like that with my first. I’m heavier to start this time around so I don’t think I’ll be as lucky but all pregnant women are beautiful, right? 😉
You look incredible!
I remember seeing a woman walking down the street and she had that pregnant waddle, but she totally didn’t look pregnant from behind. Most women, you can tell. Then I saw her from the side, and she was like you, all belly, nothing else. I also had a boss once who carried her baby that way (some say it’s a boy if it’s all in front…he was), and she just GLOWED. I don’t know how all of the high school girls she worked with didn’t run out and get pregnant so we could be that happy.
Is your doctor OK with how little you’ve gained? I’m sure in cases of diabetes it’s for the best, to avoid that horrid complication. I seem to remember in my average pregnancy that they wanted me to have gained more at 22 weeks.
Lynn, I didn’t know you were expecting too! Congrats!
J, I have an appt today so I will find out. Last appt the baby actually measured a week ahead despite the little weight gain. With my last pregnancy, I only gained 18 lbs total so I am probably on track to have around a 15-18 lb gain this time. Baby’s size looked good on the u/s too. If they tell me to gain I will be happy to oblige. 😉
Oh I just found out! Er, sort of. I found out 3 weeks ago and I find myself blogging in my Livejournal more and more. I like the privacy. 🙂 But yes! I am due this coming winter, around my son’s birthday. 🙂
How did the appointment go?
Fine. They didn’t say a word about my weight or lack thereof.