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2nd Trimester
Need honest (but gentle) opinions.
I am 18 weeks and 3 days today. I was a little overweight before I got pregnant, so I'm a little chunkier around the belly than most people who are at the same point in their pregnancy. But I've started becoming a little self conscious about the bump since friends and family are asking for pictures. (They're mostly all long distance.)
Logically,
I know I should just be proud of my body's transformation. But, given
that I am a woman, I feel pressure even pregnant to conform to other
people's views of what I "should" look like at 18 weeks. No one's said
anything overtly rude yet, but I think there's been some covert
rudeness. (Or it could be I'm hormonal?) 
So, my questions are:
1. Has anyone else experienced these feelings?
2. In you guys' opinion, do I look about as large as I should for my build and height? (5'6" and short-waisted)
Gentle truth would be appreciated. I can take it if I look a little large to you guys, but I can't take insults. Thanks.This discussion has been closed.
Re: Need honest (but gentle) opinions.
I think you look cute, and DEFINITELY pregnant (as opposed to chunky!). Try to be proud of your PG belly, and take lots of pictures so you remember how you looked! The only PG pics I took with DS were our maternity shots that happened to be 3 weeks before he was born...now I wish I'd taken more throughout my pregnancy!
That being said...if you're not comfortable sharing pictures with people, then don't do it. It's completely up to you. Don't let anyone pressure you into something you're not okay with.
darling 100% honestly, you look great!
Look at my misshapen chubby bump! (can you tell I feel the same?-lol) and i'm further along than you.
Seriously, you look adorable. Your bump is great & everyone's body changes and "forms" differently. Rock your bump, girl!
First off, I think you look great!! your bump is adorable!!
Im a little self concious right now, But i have not really popped and just feel bloated all the time.. Im sure ill feel better once i do get a cute bump like you!
I think you look BEAUTIFUL! You have nothing to be worried about, although I understand your insecurities. Although I don't think you are "chunky" in the slightest, I consider myself as being "chunky" so I also went through a period of worrying about what other people would say about the belly.
I've come to realize that most people see it as just what it is - a beautiful miracle.
People who have the nerve to make a rude comment can suck it. Don't let them bother you. They obviously never had a child before OR they do not have a brain.
You look GREAT!
I think you look fantastic! You look pregnant, not "chunky".
I know exactly what you mean too....I always thought that being pregnant would be the one time that I wouldn't be self-conscious, however I find myself thinking the same thing..."Do people think I look bigger for how far along I am", "Do I look chunky because my stomach isn't always hard and is sometimes more squishy looking". I think it is totally normal to feel this way because we are (esp. as woman) our own worst critics, but I think we have to remind ourselves, that no one else is probably thinking these things, and that I love my belly and am proud of it because it holds my baby!
OMG I am the same way. I was a bit chunky before my BFP. I don't want people looking at me because I feel just fat right now. Then I feel bad because I should be proud of my belly. I am so happy to be pg. just mixed feelings about the weight gain. One woman (who Isee at work everyday) found out I was pg. today and she said "OMG I couldn't even tell." I took that two ways!
You look great to me. Honestly, I think we all look great pregnant. I have slowly learned to like my body because there is nothing I can do about it now. I hope I will be really motivated me in the summer to get back in shape!!
i think you look adorable... i am a bigger girl myself and am jealous of your bump. i feel like i am all chub, bump to me, but to others would just look extra chubby
be proud of it!
Proud mama to a boys- 6/17/09 - a girl 2/23/11- and a boy 8/20/12
You look adorable and definitely pregnant, not chunky at all!
Thank you all so much for your encouragement! It's really nice knowing that a lot of you guys are having the same kinds of feelings/doubts. Seeing your pregger pictures really helped, too, because I really don't know what women look like at different weeks. (I don't have any friends who are currently pregnant IRL.)
And thanks to those who, like me, were not at their ideal weight pre-pregnancy. It's wonderful to know I'm not alone!
I think the "I feel fat" complaint is pretty common in early pregnancy, especially if you aren't a stick to start with, since it usually takes longer to show in an obviously pregnant way.
What we all need to remember is there is no one perfect or standard look at any stage of pregnancy - every woman is different! If I were you I would start thinking up some great comebacks to the idiots who feel like they need to tell you how your body should be reacting to GROWING A BABY.
Go ahead and send those out, lady. And embrace the bump - you look fabulous!!