8/1 Checkup
I love the fact that being pregnant enables me to relate with different people than I would have before. It’s fun to be a part of the “future” mom club and hear stories and advices from other women who have been through the whole shebang. But, on the other hand, it’s another way for me to wonder if I’m *normal* or not.
I’ve already received a few comments on how I have a nice, full belly even though I’m only almost 18 weeks. It’s just funny because before, I never got so many verbal observations on my appearance.
“Are you sure there’s only one baby in there?!”
”Yes I’m sure, I’ve seen it, you punk” [Actually, I really say “Yes, I’m sure” *insert friendly chuckle]
Another thing I’ve wondered a little about is pregnancy weight gain- I don’t own a scale, so the only time I know the actual number is when I have a check-up appointment or ultrasound. As I said before, it’s the first time in my life that I’ve seen the scale creep up and actually been happy about it. It means that the baby’s growing and I feel pretty fantastic. Of course, I still have the normal girly moments where I feel less than cute or kind of blah, for for the most part, I’ve been feeling good 🙂 My clothes still fit (jeans hurt to button them because they dig in right in the that-doesn’t-feel-right spot, so I secure them with the hair tie button loop trick), and now that I’m back to my normal eats, things are all bueno up in here 🙂
And then, I got an email from Babycenter, which said:
“Are you gaining too much weight? Check with our weight tracker”
or something to that effect.
Of course I clicked the link, as I know that while gaining pregnancy weight is obviously encouraged, gaining too much can set you up for complications down the line.
I inputted my numbers and stats, and was a little surprised when this came up:
Just outside of the line that would be considered the “max” amount for how far along I am.
Today, I had a check-up appointment with the midwives, and while it’s a giant pain to wait forever to be weighed, temp taken, blood pressure checked, ask questions, see ya later… hearing the baby’s heartbeat is the best treat. It’s pretty much the most amazing sound ever.
(I LOVE that the posters are all in Spanish)
At my appointment, I asked the midwife about the weight tracker results and she said that I was exactly where I should be, which was nice to be reassured of. She knows how active I am and that I eat well, and said that if they ever saw a problem they would let me know. I’m not going to play with the weight tracker anymore, because I figure as long as I feel great and the midwives say I’m where I should be, that’s all that matters.
Also, it’s just another reminder that every body is different and each woman responds to pregnancy differently. One of my friends is due a week before me, has a teeny little belly and has hardly gained any weight. I would never compare anything else with her, so I don’t know why in my mind I was comparing my pregnancy weight gain to hers. It’s silly, really.
The midwife also told me that I would be an excellent candidate for giving birth at the birth center, which is off-site from the hospital. I really, really originally had my heart set on a birth center birth, but Tom is not a fan, so we chose the hospital birth with midwives and a doula. He was worried that in case of an emergency, 3 minutes from the hospital is a LONG time (which is very true), so I agreed with him because I don’t want him to have additional anxiety or worry. The midwife said that having a doula is definitely recommended for a hospital birth because during the birth, she may be in and out of the room because she could have 3 or 4 women in labor at the same time. Having a doula there as an advocate for me (as well as Tom!) will be really helpful.
We have our 20-week ultrasound at the end of next week… I can’t wait to see the baby Zumba again 🙂
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ha… take everything Babycenter says with grain of salt. I am currently expecting baby #3 (I’m a few days behind you, due Jan 7th) and have learned that although BBC is a great resource, it’s also pretty conservative and can definitely send out reasons for unnecessary panic!
I am a first-time mom to a 4 month old and have been in fitness for the last 17 years. I truly enjoyed the experience of letting my body do what it was supposed to do, for the health of my baby. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t driven by my body image. I worked on strength, flexibility and endurance because I needed it to get birth and take care of the baby.
Although I was extremely healthy and worked out 6 days a week up until I delivered, I enjoyed giving in to temptations I usually wouldn’t have and letting my body do what it needed to do. I listened to the signs, ate what I felt like eating (in moderation) and slept as much as possible. EVERYONE has a comment for a pregnant woman…it’s like people feel like they don’t need to filter themselves. Take it in stride. Just wait to the baby arrives…all the comments will be about the baby! best of luck and enjoy the journey!
Congrats on all the milestones you are going through! I dont’ know much about baby weight gain, but I do know some simple math and you are one tiny lady, so of course the baby is going to take up a little more room on your small frame, and your percentage of weight gain is probably more because little Gina+average sized baby=wonky charts.
Re: hospital vs birth center– I know birth centers are gaining popularity but I tend to agree with your H. For instance, a coworker recently had her baby’s heart rate flat line and had to have an emergency c-section immediately. They don’t know why it happened, she didn’t have any risk factors, etc. Sometimes things just go terribly wrong and I feel better knowing I am already in the place where I would need to be.
Re: weight gain– I think leaner people tend to (need to) gain a bit more. I gained 7lb in the first tri, 10lb in the second and now at 28w my weight has been steady (trying to eat more, I am hoping for at least another 8lb but more would be fine too). The body wants to have fat stores for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
You should just start telling people that your abs were so rock hard to begin with that the baby has nowhere to go but out 😉
Weght gain during pregnancy is a totally arbitrary number thrown own by medical professionals of all kinds. As long as you’re eating healthy foods, feeling full and not sluggish, gain what you need to. Do you need to gain 50 lb? Depends on the mom and the baby. But it is absolutely, totally arbitrary. Every woman is different. Some women actually lose weight (like my good friend) because she couldn’t keep much of anything down and she had a competely healthy baby. Don’t worry about it, you’re fine!
Having a doula is a great idea. When I was in the hospital, the Dr. was great about letting my husband assist with much of the delivery – but that left no one holding my hand or breathing along side me. A doula would have been nice.
I think a doula is a great idea. Just knowing that someone is watching out for you and the baby and is trained to do that–and isn’t the doctor–would be really comforting!
I agree that every woman is totally different. I have had 2 kids now and with #1 I gained about 40 lbs and was all belly (boy); with #2 – 6 years later – I gained 60lbs and was big all over (girl). I am now about 5lbs lighter than pre-prego wt.
As long as you are healthy & baby gets what he/she needs, worry about the rest later. If you end up gaining a little extra, you can worry about that later on so as you have a healthy baby, the #1 priority. I hate comparing to others b/c no 2 ppl are alike.
I just had a convo with my daughter (9) about weight the other day. She asked me if she was fat compared to other girls. I just about freaked out, but managed to contain myself and then told her that it was not healthy to compare ourselves to others. I went onto explain that just like everyone is different on the inside, we are all different on the outside, too and that is what makes us unique; there is no wrong or right as long as you are healthy.
You look gorgeous!
Kim
I think it’s great you didn’t freak out because of that weight tracker thing…some people would but you kept your calm and thats great.
I am 100% positive you will be a wonderful mother! 😀
Aweeeee I love these posts. I think you look GREAT mahlove, those weight trackers are so similar to BMI — you never can truly take those seriously because everyone’s body is so different. Mwah!
I have never had a baby before, but I have had many friends and family that have. You are a smaller framed girl, and all the weight is going to ur beautiful pregnancy belly. Don’t worry. Your GF baby is growing just the way it should be. I have a really tiny friend and when she became pregnant, it was just like you. No denying that there was a baby inside.
Love your pregnancy posts so much 🙂
I agree with Tom… 3 minutes would seem like an eternity if there was an emergency.. and its better to be safe then sorry!
Gina, I love reading all your updates about your pregnancy. I’m still awhile off from having children of my own, however you write such encouraging and upbeat posts about your pregnancy experience. Many women like to scare others about the traumatic experiences that may happen at birth. My mom always says “it’s pain with a purpose”. Thanks for all your posts! Best of luck 🙂
Is it possible that you show more to the average eye, simply because you were so fit to begin with? I’m glad you feel okay about the weight gain thing now, but that’s just an additional perspective to keep in mind- people are seeing more baby on you than another person, not more “fat” on you. I’ve definitely heard and seen women who are larger, not show for a long time because their extra weight hides the baby, so I figure it must work the other way too!
So glad you are feeling and doing well! It is hard to look at those trackers bc we are all totalky different! Around my 5 month mark i was nearing the top line and then i slowed down. Your body knows what its doing and when it needs what. You look just beautiful! We had our peanut today!!
omg you did?!?!?! ahhhhh!
CONGRATS!
Congratulations Erica!
Don’t worry about how much you gain! You are active and eating healthy for your baby and that’s what matters.
I had a similar experience with the weight tracker, except it told me I wasn’t gaining enough weight. After questioning my nurse practitioner about my weight two appointments in a row, I finally decided to trust her judgement about weight gain and ignore what the books and internet were saying. BTW, I just started Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth. Thank you so much for recommending it in one of your previous posts! It’s full of great information, and I’m loving the birth stories. : )
OMG BBC emails were the bane of my pregnancy! I had a 12 week old now and I think all of their emails were more scary than informative – they still are! I put on 35lbs during my pregnancy — 25 of which were before week 20! I never had morning sickness, just constant hunger and cravings for full fat foods, hence the quick weight gain. As long as you feel good and the baby is measuring where it should, relax (easier said than done, right?).
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on the baby’s progress! You should just tell those people that you’re carrying twins 😉
As long as your healthy, it doesn’t matter what any one else thinks about the way you look, but for the record, I think you look amazing!
Oh boy, I remember those Baby Center emails. Don’t worry what they say…everyone is different (just like you said). Just wait until you have your baby and get their emails…the comparisons only get worse!
For my first 2 pregnancies, I gained a ton of weight, literally 😉 For my 3rd, I exercised and ate right and only gained the normal amount. Either way, you need to do what makes you feel good 🙂
You have the right attitude! Every pregnancy is different, and every baby is different. I have learnt the hard way that comparison can lead to a lot of mummy anxiety! I used to have a wee laugh every time people commented on how large or small my preggy belly was. The only time people feel its ok to comment on your size to your face…
I mean, you definitely have a bump, but I feel like you still look tiny. It seems like a BMI chart – where you can be an extremely fit athlete with very little body fat, but you feel bad about yourself after checking the chart since it claims you are on the high end or even over the healthy point. You seem happy and healthy, so why worry?
PS – Book idea: The Fitnessista’s Guide to eating clean and staying fit through pregnancy. Maybe? Haha
Definitely the right attitude! Every body is different and reacts differently to pregnancy.
After my first trimester, where I ate a lot of crap (refined carbs and fruit – thank god for fruit – were the only thing that would sound appetizing!), I started eating really healthy again like I have been (with the addition of ice cream here and there :D), but I too am one of the mommas to be that just packs on a little more during pregnancy.
At my second checkup ever (12 weeks), I was up 10 pounds from what I had been previously (never mind that they weighed me in boots, pre-poop, with about half a gallon worth of water in me so that I could pee at the midwives’ office) and I got quite a talking to about that! I didn’t really care about it for the reasons stated, but it’s definitely irritating to hear people judge your weight gain when you know that you have been eating well and exercising.
At 28 1/2 weeks now, I usually go up about 3-6 lbs a month, but all the while eating healthy and exercising 4 times a week, so I just shrug about the weight gain. It’ll all melt off eventually, and baby quite likes his cushion. 😀
More irritating is the fact that I’m actually starting to turn into a ball. Shaving, getting into/out of bed, bending down, vacuuming… Hooboy. Never again taking my lithe non-pregnancy body for granted.
I’ve never been pregnant but from what I’ve read it’s right on point with what you said…every women’s body is different and is going to respond differently to pregnancy. If it’s any consolation, I think you look absolutely gorgeous, your baby bump is beautiful, you eat healthy, exercise, and if the midwife thinks you’re on point, then everything is A OK…and through this all, you have an amazing positive attitude…very inspiring 🙂
Also as women, we can’t help but fall into the comparison trap…I’m guilty of comparing myself to women who exercise more than me and are fine and here I am dealing with amenorrhea and trying to get pregnant. But we’re all different and I have to remind myself of that…listening to your body is the best thing we can do for our bodies and minds 🙂
I still look at that tracker, except it’s on some random iPhone app. I hate it. I was OFF THE CHART for a solid 3 weeks and then crept back down to the top line, where I’ve remained. I think the important thing is to just remember that it isn’t in our control. You are doing everything you need to do, so let your body decide what that means, you know?
I’ve had a few freak outs, the worst one being today. I am fine with the weight gain now but I was NOT expecting to suddenly have a DOUBLE CHIN. I hate 90% of the pics from my shower because of it.
I just had to dart in and say that on another site, I saw a picture of a baby wearing a shirt that said, “My mommy doesn’t want your advice.” hahahah My sister complained about people kind of invading her space when she was pregnant. It bugged her, but she’s mean, so I’m sure she made them keep their distance. 😉
that is an AWESOME shirt
Ugh, I so agree with you on the whole weight gain thing. For me, it’s been tough to be okay with gaining weight. I struggle with how I look and feel right now, but I know that it’s worth it in the end!
My BFF’s mother got the twin thing alot by the end she was huge but ended up having a 10 pound baby, she was small too. was tom a big baby you could be having a big little guy and thats why your showing soo much plus I think woman that carry low tend to show more. Plus I hear if they are under the ribs you won’t show as much thats why you see these woman that had no clue they were pregnant till they gave birth. I think you look great rock that baby bump!
You are looking as smashing as ever, even as a Mama to-be 😉 Miss ya and take care honey!
miss you too!!
I definitely agree about taking BabyCenter with a [LARGE] grain of salt. You’re a super cute preggie. I love little round bellies and can’t wait for my husband and I to start trying again!
One question for you — how did your employers respond to you finding out you were pregnant so close to starting? I’m a fitness instructor too, and just started working exclusively for a new gym. My husband and I are considering trying for our third child in probably 6 months. How is teaching classes while pregnant?
No offense….but I think you look AMAZING!!! Keep growing!! 😉
AS a dietitian who works with pregnant moms ALL the time, I would NOT worry about being at the higher end of the weight gain tracker. I always see that moms who were a little smaller or have less body fat before they got pregnant gain weight a little faster than moms who were at a higher weight. I’ve been following your progress pics and you literally are ALL belly! Just adorable 🙂
aww, thank you!
That Baby Center weight tracker caused me much distress because I was always at the same point as the one you mentioned. I did not understand it because I was eating healthy and getting regular exercise. I felt like I should be in the middle of the 2 lines but I was always skimming the higher one.
I’m glad you are not paying it too much attention. I wish I hadn’t. Because it turned out that the majority of the weight I had gained was water which came off in the first few days after delivery.
So enjoy your pregnancy. Your mid-wife and doctor will be let you know if anything is amiss as far as weight gain goes. I hope everything goes perfectly with your birth plan. You look amazing!
Well dollface, I have never been preggers before, but I have heard that people always go balls to the walls with eating….but you really don’t need to {from what I hear!} i hear its only like an extra piece of toast 😉
You are so fit and look AMAZING with that cute little belly 🙂
xxoo
i am a pilates & yoga teacher and love working out. i, too, savored my weight gain in pregnancy cause i knew it meant my baby was growing. i gained 50 lbs. total and was told the whole time by my midwives that it was normal. i now have a healthy 3 week old and can’t wait to get the go ahead to get back to exercising! i am so proud of what my body did. i also chose a hospital birth with midwives and a doula. my doula was amazing. we labored at our house for many hours (it was a long labor) before going to the hospital. she was so helpful for me and for my hubby! i ended up with quite a tear after our natural childbirth – they called in an ob surgeon and i was grateful to be in the hospital at that moment. congratulations on this exciting time. it is truly the most amazing thing ever.
Oh I remember all those Babycenter emails. 😉 Just do what you’re doing and you’ll be just fine! 🙂
I’m not a pregnancy expert, but I’d natrually assume that your belly shows “more” than people generally seem to think, but I’d say it’s because you’re small and there’s not a lot of extra space to keep you looking tiny for long! If that makes sense… anyway, I think that’s awesome, who doesn’t want to actually look pregnant early on! 😀
mm that didn’t make a LOT of sense. but ya know what I mean-
You look awesome! And I LOVE your blog… 🙂
And I know you’re prob getting tons of advice from strangers like me (lol) but just concerned about many ultrasounds. Are you familiar with the Healthy Skeptic? Awesome blog with sounds advice: http://thehealthyskeptic.org/natural-childbirth-iia-is-ultrasound-necessary-effective-in-pregnancy
I definitely think it’s good for your peace of mind to not compare the weight gain to what is “normal,” as long as you are healthy. The baby bump looks adorable!
I love your pregnancy posts because they get me so excited for the day I’ll eventually be pregnant! It sounds corny to say this…but it’s just SUCH a magical thing. Obviously you know this, though. Anyway, I’m so happy for you! And like you said, both you and the midwife can see that you’re healthy, so don’t fret over the weight tracker. Your belly looks perfect! (Not that I’m an expert, but it does!)
thanks girl <3
So interesting to hear about your birth plan! I definitely want to have a doula and midwife when I am pregnant!
Don’t worry too much about how much you’re gaining. I’m almost 28 weeks and also had a checkup today, and my weight gain in the 2nd trimester was a lot early (like 10 lbs in a month), then it kind of tapered off (4 lbs in a month and then 2 lbs this past month). Everyone’s different and weight gain during pregnancy isn’t necessarily steady!
Though I did have a co-worker today tell me that I looked (and I quote) “huge”…that’s exactly what every pregnant woman wants to hear!
For the record, I think you are super cute pregnant. 🙂 I was reading one of your recent posts yesterday (the one where you were sleeping on the couch) and you still look so tiny!
aww thank you friend. miss you! please tell me you’ll be at hls! let’s go shopping 🙂
Yes! I’ll be there. Let’s definitely plan to do some shopping!
You look great and are doing great!! That always really annoyed me when I was pregnant – people saying rude things to you. I mean really, just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have carte blanche to say WHATEVER you want!! I remember right before I gave birth, this woman saw me and said, “you are sooo BEEGGGG (big!) Ugh!!
My stomach was about the same size at 18 weeks! I have a pic to proove it! Lol! You are fine and look great! My father in law asked me if I was having twins on numerous occasions and was dead serious! Haha! Glad you will be doing the hospital thing. I’m all for home births, etc. But I had to have an emergency csection and if I was at home, I don’t even what to think about what could of happened.
I think you just look adorable. And that is all you need to know
ahhhh im so excited for you!!
Amen girl.
“I would never compare anything else with her, so I don’t know why in my mind I was comparing my pregnancy weight gain to hers. It’s silly, really.”
Thank you!!!
That’s why most books, magazines, online chat forums that have to do with pregnancy…it’s good to take some of that stuff with a grain of salt. If there was ever a time where individual differences and “everybody’s body is different” manifests itself…pregnancy is for sure!! that time!
Thank you for this post b/c I KNOW it will help other women.
And congrats on having a healthy checkup and it sounds like maybe a birth center birth may not be entirely ruled out? Whatever you guys decide, it will be the perfect choice for YOU and your BABY 🙂
xo