Eliana Rodriguez, a proud mother in her late twenties, recently gave birth to her second child, Sebastian. Despite the joy of welcoming a healthy baby, Rodriguez had to face derogatory comments about her “big” baby bump. People would make remarks like “You are gigantic!” or ask if she was expecting twins. However, Rodriguez refused to let pregnancy stigma affect her confidence in her body.
Having a larger-than-average stomach during pregnancy can be perfectly normal and does not necessarily indicate any health problems. Rodriguez confidently assured everyone that both she and her baby were in excellent health. “Both of my children were born weighing 8.3 pounds,” Rodriguez proudly shared. Her 3-year-old daughter Sofia was 19.5 inches at birth, while Sebastian measured 20.5 inches.
While it is easy to ignore trolls on social media platforms, Rodriguez found that people in person were often nosy and intrusive too. However, she always responded gracefully to their curiosity, saying, “Yes, I am huge and it’s hard.” As a business entrepreneur specializing in health and wellness in Las Vegas, Rodriguez wondered why her belly seemed bigger compared to other women. Her doctors explained that it was typical due to her height of 4’11” and shorter torso.
Rodriguez began showing her baby bump around two months ago and was eager to share her joy with others. “We had been trying for a second child and hoped for a boy,” she revealed. During her pregnancy, Rodriguez carried a larger amount of amniotic fluid, which is completely normal for some women. This fluid fills the amniotic sac and protects the fetus while allowing movement.
Although excess amniotic fluid, known as “polyhydramnios,” occurs in only 1% to 2% of pregnancies, Rodriguez’s doctors confirmed that she did not have this condition. They carefully monitored the size of the baby and the amount of fluids to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby. Other causes of excess fluid can include maternal diabetes and fetal structural anomalies, but thankfully Rodriguez did not experience these complications.
Dealing with intrusive questions from others, Rodriguez emphasizes the need for people to refrain from making pregnancy- and body-shaming comments. She stresses that women experiencing prenatal or postpartum depression can be deeply affected by these remarks and may find themselves in a terrible place mentally.
As a religious woman, Rodriguez expresses her sympathy for those who use cruel words. She urges for more understanding and empathy towards pregnant women, reminding everyone that every body is unique, and every pregnancy is different.
Let us all celebrate the strength of mothers like Eliana Rodriguez who stand up to pregnancy stigma and embrace the beauty of their bodies.
