A mother’s journey through pregnancy is a beautiful and miraculous time. However, for Eliana Rodriguez, it was marred by the judgmental stares and hurtful comments about her “large” baby bump. Despite facing pregnancy stigma, Rodriguez refused to let it bring her down.
It is important to note that a larger pregnant belly does not necessarily indicate any health issues. In some cases, it is simply a natural expansion of a woman’s body during pregnancy. Rodriguez confirmed that both she and her baby were in perfect health throughout her pregnancy.
Rodriguez shared, “I carried big during my pregnancies; both my children weighed 8.3 pounds at birth. My newborn son measured 20.5 inches and my 3-year-old daughter Sofia was 19.5 inches at birth.”
While it may be easy to ignore online trolls, Rodriguez revealed that people’s nosy behavior continued in person as well. Despite this, Rodriguez always maintained her composure and responded with grace. “Yes, I am enormous, and it’s hard,” she calmly stated.
As the owner of a health and wellness business in Las Vegas, Nevada, Rodriguez found herself questioning her larger belly compared to other women. She explained, “Considering that I am only 4’11” and have a shorter torso, my doctors assured me that it was normal.”
Rodriguez began showcasing her pregnancy journey on social media two months ago. Excitedly trying for a second child and hoping for a baby boy, she wanted to share her joy with others.
During her pregnancy, Rodriguez had an increased amount of amniotic fluid. This fluid protects the fetus and allows movement within the amniotic sac. While excess amniotic fluid, known as “polyhydramnios,” occurs in about one to two percent of pregnancies, it rarely causes complications.
Despite having more amniotic fluid, Rodriguez’s doctors confirmed that she did not have polyhydramnios. They carefully monitored the baby’s size and the amount of fluid throughout the pregnancy.
Dr. Kiarra King, an OBGYN in Chicago, Illinois, explained that anatomical abnormalities in the fetus and maternal diabetes can also contribute to excess fluid. However, in Rodriguez’s case, neither of these factors were present.
Although polyhydramnios is not the primary cause of an enlarged belly during pregnancy, other factors may play a role. Fetal macrosomia, maternal obesity, and Diastasis Recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles from previous pregnancies, can all make a woman appear further along in her pregnancy.
Fortunately, Rodriguez did not experience any of these issues, allowing her to enjoy her pregnancy without additional complications.
In the face of intrusive questions and judgment, Rodriguez expressed her desire for people to refrain from making pregnancy and body-shaming remarks. She emphasized the potential negative impact these comments can have on women’s mental health, particularly if they are already dealing with perinatal or postpartum depression.
“I understand that some people lack empathy for others,” Rodriguez said. “As a woman of faith, I feel saddened by those who make harsh remarks.”
Let us remember to support and uplift one another during this beautiful and transformative journey called pregnancy.
