So I was so totally not kidding about the growth spurt:
Never thought I'd see the day when something would be so big it'd make the rest of me look small...
At my midwife appointment yesterday, she measured my belly and remarked at how much it’s grown since two weeks ago. I normally measure on the low side of normal but at this appointment my belly measured slightly ahead of schedule. Squishy’s been busy!
While she pressed into my tummy to get an idea of the baby’s position, I asked her if he felt like a big baby to her. She felt around some more and said that he didn’t feel big to her, but that he did feel really long. This would explain how his head can be so low in my pelvis yet I don’t feel much of the relief I’ve been promised in my pregnancy books.
They all say that as the baby drops lower into the pelvis, it frees up room in the top of the uterus so you can breathe a little better. He’s definitely dropping lower and lower, but I don’t really feel like I can breathe easier. All I can do is just picture this long, lean little baby complaining about his short mommy (ha!).
Even with this gigantic belly, I still have yet to have a stranger ask me when I’m due or try to touch my stomach. I may be the stealthiest pregnant chick in the world. We were at H&R Block filing our taxes this weekend and when Wes announced loudly (because he’s a proud papa, that one) that we are having a baby next month, a guy walking by actually stopped, pointed at me, and said, “Wait, you are?”
At this point, it doesn’t even do me any good to be indignant. As long as my midwives know how far along I am and when I’m due I reckon it doesn’t really matter that total strangers are oblivious.
Wow. That’s a belly!
At your and Wes’ heights it’s not exactly a surprise that Squishy is long and lean, is it? I mean, the real surprise would be if he were a petite little thing. Then you might have some ’splainin to do Lucy.
-Blanche, Neither Wes nor I were particularly large babies, so even if Squishy comes out petite I’ll still be ok :) I wouldn’t be surprised if he were long, though. I do hope he has a good amount of chub at least. I’m making sure to eat plenty of food so he has all the opportunity in the world to get nice and chunky for me!
Good point. I’m just thinking of how one of my mom’s friends had 3 kids all of whom were good 9-11 pounders. 2 grew up to be in the 6′ range and the 3rd isn’t too much shorter. It would have been strange for her to have a comparatively tiny 6 pounder based on her and the father’s genetics.
I’m just thinking of how that chunk has to come out … ouch!
-Blanche, Supposedly, heavier babies are easier to birth naturally than smaller babies because all that extra weight puts lots of good pressure on the cervix and gravity can help you out more. So long as your baby doesn’t have a chubby head I think you’re in good shape.