Everyone warned me that pregnancy second time round guarantees a bigger bump. Already a little self-conscious about my pre-existing belly (the plus-sized progeny of sleep deprivation and comfort eating), which my son also kindly alerted me to, I braced myself for the day I was to turn into a whale.
My bump grew very readily in the early days, and to my dismay even my obstetrician, one of the most objective gentleman I’ve ever met, couldn’t help but make remarks about the size of my belly. The ‘old me’ would have felt a challenge to my self worth, a stab to my vanity, and I would have gone to to drown my sorrows in a tub of cookies and cream ice-cream. But this time round, I didn’t even wince.
Months before bub #2 was conceived, I’d heard a great podcast on Focus On The Family, called Celebrating the Wonder of Pregnancy from Conception to Birth. It was an interview with Carey Wickersham, author of The Wonder Within You. It’s unofficially “the most technically advanced pregnancy book in the history of the world” as it contains 40 videos of the developing baby embedded in a beautiful hard-cover book, one for each week of the pregnancy.
Carey encouraged expectant moms to celebrate every week of their pregnancy by marveling at the amazing changes happening with her growing baby. So what I got out of it was that the focus should on the growing baby, the miracle within the belly, rather than on the enlarging body. This shift in perspective was so liberating.
The surprising thing is that even though I expected to be bigger and wider this time round, especially with my very healthy appetite, people have been surprised to find out how ‘far along’ I am in the pregnancy. Somehow my belly has decided to take baby steps, maybe?
Aside from having a grateful attitude, what you wear can also make a difference. Compare the photo above with the one below, what a huge contrast just with the addition of a sleeveless jacket!
How is your or your friend’s pregnancy travelling along? Regardless of the rate at which the body is expanding, can I encourage you (and to encourage them) to instead focus on the miracle of life growing inside the growing belly?
Every baby is a gift from God. No wonder King David wrote in one of his Psalms about how God created his life: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Regardless of physical defects, physiological failings and genetic mutations, everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made.
And if you’re still a little self-conscious about your bump, why not throw on a streamlined jacket for good measure!
Pink Ruby Dress // Alexander Wang Jacket // Vintage Clutch, Earrings & Brooch // YSL Heels
That dress is beautiful on your bump Cecylia – with and without the jacket!
You said it so well, the changes to our bodies are nothing compared to the wonderful miracle that grows inside of us. When the receptionist commented on how ‘perfect’ and round my bump was, I had a giggle as the stand in obstetrician (mine was on leave) has expressed concer about how baby was positioned in my belly (pushing his butt out!!) and told me my belly was an odd shape and would be ‘ruined’ and I’d probably never wear bikinis again. I just laughed. I couldn’t care less what happened to my body (and yes the damage done to my stomach muscles was quite severe, he was right), I just wanted the healthy growing baby. It’s a blessing and a miracle and stretch marks and separated abdominal muscles are such a tiny ‘price’ to pay.
You’re such a good mom! Plus the separated abdo muscles are only temporary, and stretch marks come to us even if we’re not pregnant :D
You look stunning! Such a great dress and I don’t think your bump is particularly big! I was the woman who was being asked if I was about to give birth any day when I was just 28 weeks! I have never known why people feel the need to comment on bump sizes actually. The body is doing something so remarkable and beautiful so that’s what I tell people now: you look beautiful! And it’s always the truth.
Thank you Vicki, yeah it’s a gorgeous print! Our bodies and babies are so different. Some women are much bigger with different pregnancies even. So many factors come into play- diet, lifestyle, hormones, amount of sleep…that last one is my issue…sleep, sleep, where for art thou sleep?