We were going out to a formal dinner that night. I had bought a new dress, the only one I could find that did not make me look like the side of a house, been to the hairdresser and splurged on new makeup and jewellery (to make up for having to wear flat shoes).
I was feeling pretty damn hot.
When you're pregnant, you need to feel that way sometimes. And at that stage of a pregnancy, it can take a little effort.
I had spent the great majority of my day lying on the couch with my feet up, to avoid puffy feet and ankles ruining the look of my dress. I went for a small walk, in excruciating pain, to loosen my back so that I could manage to sit at a dinner table for a few hours. I had a nap to make sure I would stay awake past 8.30 that night.
My very active baby had by then been kicking me with great force for 4 months. I had not had a full night's sleep in about the same length of time. Between the kicks and being constantly hungry, needing to eat a couple of full meals during the night, I was tired all the time.
But, that evening, I was all set to 'glow'.
Unfortunately, the first person we saw when we arrived at the dinner chose these special words, just for me: 'God, you're huge. How long have you got left? Still 6 weeks? That baby is going to be enormous.'
I felt fat and ugly the rest of the night. No matter how much everyone else complimented me, all I could think of was that first comment.
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but not glamorous; growing a baby is exhausting. When you see a pregnant woman, one statement will suffice: 'You look gorgeous'. That is all. It will make her day.
(And I'm considering doing it all again? I guess that just proves that the prize at the end is more than worth it...)
Megan
9 comments:
Oh to remember my days as a mum to be :) Your comment 'growing a baby is exhausting' is so spot on Megan!! Growing a baby is a true miracle, just amazing. During my pregnancies I never weighed myself nor had a photo taken of 'me pregnant', I now regret those decisions slightly but at the time that was my wish. I've since wondered how much weight did I actually gain?
There will always be those people who insist on touching a pregnant woman's belly along with comments reforcing how big you are :)
I remember watching someone say to a friend, my god you're tiny, is everything ok, is the baby actually growing. I couldn't believe how rude it was. My friend has a very long torso and therefore there was lots of room for the baby so she didn't 'pop out'. Her bub was 8 1/2 pounds!
I love a pregnant belly and can only imagine the last thing you want to hear is 'you're huge'. Or any other type of negative comment for that matter. I'll have no problems telling someone to go jump.
And I think you looked gorgeous! :)
Oh yeah, I remember that one negative comment made me feel fat and ugly for weeks but would you believe I can't remember now what the comment was (mother's brain!!).
Pregnancy is totally exhausting, I agree. I only wish I looked half as good as you did!! :)
# things. One, you look beautiful in the photo. Two whoever said that was a horrible person and thirdly, are you trying, in an oblique way, to tell us something? ;)
Thanks all.
Seraphim - NO!!!
Oh what a gorgeous pregnant woman you made!
Oooh considering a second? That sounds exciting. x
Yep. I get it. I used to get "Are you sure you're not expecting twins?" With all 3 pregnancies I was all tummy.
People say the most inappropriate things some times.
You look gorgeous. The dress is gorgeous. And I'm not just saying that.
x
You look beautiful in the photo. But you are right growing a baby is exhausting.
I am short, and the baby had to go somewhere, so out, out, out went my stomach. With my first, a woman in Kmart said "I don't mean to be rude, but are you going to give birth to an elephant?"
That wasn't rude at all now was it.
With my second I was 36 weeks when a couple pointed to be, the girl said 'Oh my Goooood, she'd HUGE!' Ahh, I was pregnant not deff.
being heavily pregnant is hard enough, I wish people would remember the golden rule, if you don;t have something nice to say, don;t say anything at all.
As for doing it all again... that sounds exciting!
You look beautiful in the photo. But you are right growing a baby is exhausting.
I am short, and the baby had to go somewhere, so out, out, out went my stomach. With my first, a woman in Kmart said "I don't mean to be rude, but are you going to give birth to an elephant?"
That wasn't rude at all now was it.
With my second I was 36 weeks when a couple pointed to be, the girl said 'Oh my Goooood, she'd HUGE!' Ahh, I was pregnant not deff.
being heavily pregnant is hard enough, I wish people would remember the golden rule, if you don;t have something nice to say, don;t say anything at all.
As for doing it all again... that sounds exciting!
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