One of my main motivations for blogging about the pregnancy is that so many fascinating and unexpected things have happened/are happening. Yes, the human body is a miracle and there's a person in there, blah blah blah. But I'm also talking about those moments that make you go "huh, well no one told me that would happen."
Fuzz
They warn you that you may develop some discoloration on the skin of your belly as it grows. Most notably, the linea nigra, a super tan line connecting from your belly button to the top of the pelvis. Sort of a lane marker for the baby. They say either that or dark circles around your belly button itself. I've been both on other women, I was mentally prepared. But that didn't happen. Instead, my belly grew its very own winter coat. Ok that's an exaggeration, it's a light summer layer at most. But still. A crop of fine fuzz has developed on my pregnant belly, gently and protectively covering the entire surface from my pelvis to (what was) my rib cage. It's more akin to peach fuzz than the hairs on one's legs. But there it is.
My Underwear Doesn't Fit
Get ready to buy new underwears and bras every couple of weeks. And none of your Hanky Panky's just in different sizes, I'm talking about generous, forgiving and soft fabrics that lets you be the boss. Your skin will get dry, it'll get itchy, and it's already putting up with being stretched to it's limit, the least you can offer is some comfy underwear w/o the elastic waistbands digging in. My favorites are anything made of jersey or modal cotton, and Motherhood Maternity's 'fold-over' undies (like yoga pants.)
I'll admit the bra part made me extra sad as I had just invested in a repertoire of grownup bras that are well made, functional, and actually fit properly (bra fittings, what's the story with those?!) only to realize I'd be wearing wireless cotton bras for the next 1..5 - 2 years. Not only that, my bra size changed entirely. Some women manage with their current bras by adding an extension to the back hooks - you know how normally there's 3 sets of hooks, well you can get an extender that gives you 3 more. But the way my rib cage widened and my boobs grew, all the proportions were off. So I just called Gap Body directly and said, go ahead, take my money.
Leakage
This is the part of our regularly scheduled programming where you'd want to ask yourself, how close do I feel to Linda, and how much closer do I want to get? Because I'm about to talk about leaky boobs.
On the one hand, it is pretty miraculous that even before your child is born, your body knows to start making stuff that will be the perfect food for your offspring. Way to be on top of it, reproductive organs! And like any good production line, one must test all the parts. That's the only way I can explain why/how colostrum (or pre-milk) may be coming out of your body even before your baby arrives. It's just a few drops and by the time you notice it, there's a good chance it's already dried up. My midwife was pretty excited to hear the news, she said it could indicate healthy milk production to come.
On the other hand, your nipples are leaking.
Fuzz
They warn you that you may develop some discoloration on the skin of your belly as it grows. Most notably, the linea nigra, a super tan line connecting from your belly button to the top of the pelvis. Sort of a lane marker for the baby. They say either that or dark circles around your belly button itself. I've been both on other women, I was mentally prepared. But that didn't happen. Instead, my belly grew its very own winter coat. Ok that's an exaggeration, it's a light summer layer at most. But still. A crop of fine fuzz has developed on my pregnant belly, gently and protectively covering the entire surface from my pelvis to (what was) my rib cage. It's more akin to peach fuzz than the hairs on one's legs. But there it is.
My Underwear Doesn't Fit
Get ready to buy new underwears and bras every couple of weeks. And none of your Hanky Panky's just in different sizes, I'm talking about generous, forgiving and soft fabrics that lets you be the boss. Your skin will get dry, it'll get itchy, and it's already putting up with being stretched to it's limit, the least you can offer is some comfy underwear w/o the elastic waistbands digging in. My favorites are anything made of jersey or modal cotton, and Motherhood Maternity's 'fold-over' undies (like yoga pants.)
I'll admit the bra part made me extra sad as I had just invested in a repertoire of grownup bras that are well made, functional, and actually fit properly (bra fittings, what's the story with those?!) only to realize I'd be wearing wireless cotton bras for the next 1..5 - 2 years. Not only that, my bra size changed entirely. Some women manage with their current bras by adding an extension to the back hooks - you know how normally there's 3 sets of hooks, well you can get an extender that gives you 3 more. But the way my rib cage widened and my boobs grew, all the proportions were off. So I just called Gap Body directly and said, go ahead, take my money.
Leakage
This is the part of our regularly scheduled programming where you'd want to ask yourself, how close do I feel to Linda, and how much closer do I want to get? Because I'm about to talk about leaky boobs.
On the one hand, it is pretty miraculous that even before your child is born, your body knows to start making stuff that will be the perfect food for your offspring. Way to be on top of it, reproductive organs! And like any good production line, one must test all the parts. That's the only way I can explain why/how colostrum (or pre-milk) may be coming out of your body even before your baby arrives. It's just a few drops and by the time you notice it, there's a good chance it's already dried up. My midwife was pretty excited to hear the news, she said it could indicate healthy milk production to come.
On the other hand, your nipples are leaking.