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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You look gorgeous!! Don’t worry at all about your preggie tummy, it’s so unique for everyone! A girl at the salon I go to was 18 weeks pregnant with a beautiful round tummy and my friend, who was also 18 weeks, hardly showed at all! I’m sooooo curious for how I’ll look when pregnant and I’m hoping I’ll show early like you do 🙂 Enjoy your pregnant time! 🙂
I’ve done that weight tracker thing, too, and gotten freaked out. In the 1st and early part of the 2nd trimester I was always on the high end line, too. Now late in my 3rd trimester I’m on the low line. Every body really is different. I gained most of my weight early on (in a healthy way) and gained less weight later on (and still am healthy). Either way, my doctor is pleased with how it’s going!
I am almost 16 weeks and I find myself going between feeling happy that I’m not showing yet and still look mostly like myself and being sad that I’m not showing yet and still look mostly like myself. Such a range of emotions. But one thing I have learned is that everyone is different and you cannot compare yourself to anyone. I am active like you are and would be super happy to look like you do at any point. Whatever your scale says does not matter because you still look super fit, just with a baby bump!
That darned little graph! I’ve plugged my own stats in from the beginning, and I’ve been on that top line the whole time, too. But you have nothing to worry about. Eating well and working out is the best thing you can do for your little one.
Also, I felt I gained pretty steadily during the 2nd trimester, but my weight gain slowed on it’s own at the beginning of the third. It’s kicked back up a little now that I’m at 35 weeks (and up 28.5 lbs), but I’m not worried about it. I’m healthier than I’ve ever been and I am confident I’m doing everything I can to grow a healthy baby. So just keep those polite giggles stocked up, I’ve used a million of them myself during this process 🙂
Ahh, pregnancy and weight gain and everybody suddenly having an opinion! I am pretty sure I am in the minority, but at 33 weeks pregnant I have struggled my entire pregnancy to gain weight. I asked my Dr. about it at my last appointment and she said that the baby is doing just fine, but I am definitely “underweight” for where I should be and the concern is actually for me having enough energy to get through labor and be able to produce milk. So, I think you have a great attitude to just let your body do what it needs to and not pay attention to those weight trackers, everybody and every pregnancy is different. You eat healthy and exercise, that is all you can do for your baby and yourself! I am off to snack again!
Oh the trials of pregnancy…I’m an ironman triathlete and ultrarunner, and even though I’m still working out and eating great I’ve gained almost 30 lbs at 32 weeks. I miss my old figure but feeling my baby girl kick is the best thing in the world. My body belongs to HER now, and I’ve realized that my concerns about excess weight, lost muscle tone etc. are completely stupid. I’m a mommy first, athlete second, and I can get my body back once she doesn’t need to grow inside me anymore.
Do NOT worry about the size of your belly and weight gain! I was HUGE and constantly heard the twins remark, that I was too big, etc. Some people even argued with me about my due date- they insisted I was due sooner than I was because of how big I was (I showed them by going a week past my due-date!). My mom and husband constantly told me not to take the comments personally, but sometimes it was hard. I, like you, have a friend who was very small during her pregnancy and got many comments from the other end of the spectrum: people telling her she was too small. I know these comments hurt her just as much as the big comments hurt me. Finally I learned to laugh about it, and when someone asked if I was having twins, I would smile and say, “No, triplets.” Enjoy the belly!
hahah i’m totally going to use that! 🙂
You look wonderful and perfectly normal! I’m 30 weeks and I’ve gained 20 lbs. I’m tracking to gain about 30lb total which is completely normal. I thought the weight gain would be more gradual, but I’ve definitely had growth spurts! (2lbs one week, 1/2 lb the next) My midwife says everything is fine. I saw my sister-in-law on the fourth of July who is also pregnant and two weeks behind me. My brother commented to me, “you’re so much bigger than her!” I wanted to cry and punch him. The belly is a beautiful thing! It is making a perfect little home for your baby. You will love it even more so when you feel the little nugget kicking and rolling over–worth every pound!
Wow I am so thrilled for you! You look amazing! I just recently started reading your blogs and Im hooked so now Im trying to read them from the beginning. I just realized you are pregnant though so Im a bit behind. What a wonderful time for you and your hubbie. Congrats!!! I have a 3 month old baby boy named Tyler. I started reading blogs about eating healthy because Im trying to lose the baby weight that I gained during my pregnancy. You are doing everything correctly and eating very healthy…something I didnt do and now Im paying for it. Definitely dont track your weight…let the doctors do all that. Just do what your body tells you. If you’re tired, sleep…if you’re hungry, eat. Im so happy for you! Keep up the great work!
Everyone has an opinion right? I didn’t “show” until I was close to 20 weeks. I am 30 weeks now and there is no hiding the baby bump!
For a long time I got “you’re so small – are you sure the baby is ok?” Awesome right? LOL.
It is always hard to see the scale creep up when you work so hard to be where you’re at pre-pregnancy. You have such a good attitude about it! Every pound gained is another pound towards a healthy baby 🙂
Just ignore what other people say – you are doing such a great job eating healthy and working out 🙂
You do look great!! And don’t worry about the weight, you’re very healthy, the baby is healthy, you know you’re not gaining too much. On the picture above, other than the belly, your body looks just as healthy and toned as it used to. I think these graphs are like BMI measurements and junk: if you’re healthy and muscular, they’re off, plain and simple.
If I could be an advocate for the stupid and perhaps inappropriate pregnancy comments, please allow me to do so… I think sometimes people are trying to relate and talk to you about something that obviously is important to you. It comes out wrong, it’s awkward and easy to think “what if I were…., then what would I think?”, but I really think people are trying to be happy for you, and say things that are nice, even if they sound ridiculous. I’m sure I’ve made some comments that could have been taken the wrong way before, in pregnancy cases and probably another hundred other ones, trying to say something positive, happy, and funny all at once, which is often not the case 🙂
thank you, emilie!
and that’s a great point- i hadn’t thought of it that way
Girl, you look fantastic! Everyone gains different, and websites do not take that into account. With both girls I gained 30-35lbs. I put on 30 by 30 weeks and stayed there until the end with a few pound fluctuation. I was worried this pregnancy because I, again, felt huge— and I’m right where I was with the girls!
I am so enjoying reading these posts, Gina! The weight gain woes have caught me by surprise. I definitely started gaining immediately and wasn’t sick at all the first tri. My appetite increased by a decent amount. I think it’s just been a little hard to get used to because you often hear things like, “you don’t need to gain weight your first trimester.” I think by week 12 I had already gained 10lbs. I’m trying to roll with it and have still been able to maintain normal workouts (intensity decreased a bit) and healthy eats (plus a little extra dessert). And I definitely can’t ignore when I’m hungry, so I guess I just need to get used to it! 🙂 The baby must know what SHE (!!) needs. xo
AHHHHH i’m so excited for you!!
yeah try not to stress about the weight gain. mine bulldozed on at first and then tapered off 😉 p was hungry in there! even when she was like.. the size of a jelly bean