Maneuvering the belly

chavezrd2 · July 2016

What trick or challenges have yall figured out or had since having "the belly"??

I'm using my toes a lot more

I learned that peeing in the cup at the OB's office is now awkward and I feel like a fat frog on the potty

I lift the belly on the bathroom or kitchen counter when I'm brushing my teeth / washing dishes

Cooking is a safety hazard - forget and then look down and see how close belly is to the stove - WHOOPS!

jensou · July 2016

Cute thread! I have to turn sideways to hug people. It's kind of fun.

UnwritteN12 · July 2016

I either bend over more than I normally would (like when I'm at the sink washing dishes) or turn to the side (when I'm in a public restroom washing my hands where the sink is usually lower). Last night, I was cooking chicken on the stove and, instead of standing knowing my belly would be too close to the burner, I sat on a stool. I've gotten lazy like that.

Side note - I walked over to my coworker's desk today. She has a desk that can go up and down depending on if she wants to stand or sit and the part that the keyboard sits on sticks out further than anything else. Before I knew it, I was rubbing my belly because I have grown so much that I didn't correctly gauge the distance from belly to desk. OUCH! I still maintain the desk assaulted me.....

Edited because I can longer spell....

ajn092 · July 2016

My belly gets a shower every time I do dishes at home. I lean forward a lot so my shirt doesn't get wet when washing my hands in a public bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, I prefer the big stalls since it's harder to maneuver the belly in those tiny ones.

And whenever we go out to eat I have a mini panic attack about booths and whether or not I'll fit anymore lol.

I miss my smaller tummy so much...

UnwritteN12 · July 2016

ajn092 said:

My belly gets a shower every time I do dishes at home. I lean forward a lot so my shirt doesn't get wet when washing my hands in a public bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, I prefer the big stalls since it's harder to maneuver the belly in those tiny ones.

And whenever we go out to eat I have a mini panic attack about booths and whether or not I'll fit anymore lol.

I miss my smaller tummy so much...

Went out to Applebee's a couple weeks ago and the kids wanted a booth. I tried, I really did. It wasn't happening though. I was kind of embarrassed but we had to move to a table with regular chairs.

erinmarie86 · July 2016

i've come to realize my belly is like a very nice memory foam mattress that takes a while to settle in. So when i change the position i'm laying in, get up from sitting or laying down...it takes a second for my belly to readjust and settle in...like a memory foam mattress readjusting to your body's position.

I seem to also forget about my belly so it gets bumped on the counter or doors/walls if i cut corners

ajn092 · July 2016

@UnwritteN12 we pretty much just ask for a table now. And the few places that don't have them we're avoiding for now

mrsvoorhees-2 · July 2016

Yes, peeing in the cup at the dr is a risky operation. I have definitely peed on my hand.

tinypikachu · July 2016

Unfortunately, my belly's gotten burned a few times while cooking with either splatter or boiling water. I cook A LOT so now I always wear an apron.

I was bummed (and a little embarrassed) a couple of weeks ago when we went to one of our favorite places and I didn't fit in the booth that we sat in a week before.

I do move sideways when I'm reaching for something in the cabinets since I can't reach it anymore but putting the belly on the counter might work

Bumping the bump against things is also an almost daily ocurrence. Right when I have it measured and know my bearings, it grows!

AmMcc12 · July 2016

I wish I could put my belly on the counter!! Being short most counters are too tall

rock1cherry · July 2016

What @ammcc12 said. My counters are in the worst place for doing dishes now. I'm short and we have a deep sink so I bend over and my belly hits the edge of the counter constantly. It's strange when I'm holding something large like a box etc and I have to hold it against my belly. Just a strange sensation I guess.

Getting in and out of the car is getting harder and harder too. It's hard to lift my leg and bend over at the same time. Lol

Pretty much any bending over is troublesome now. I sometimes think "do I really need that whatever I just dropped?" Ha.

ruemcclanahan · July 2016

Thanks to my huge chest my bump is just barely growing past my boobs now so it hasn't been that different.
Just getting out of bed is harder than it used to and I have been hitting some corners with it (sorry baby!)

618mom22boys · July 2016

I'm having trouble wiping when I go to the bathroom. lol

tiger2010 · July 2016

618mom22boys said:

I'm having trouble wiping when I go to the bathroom. lol

What she said. So much this!
Driving is a bit of a struggle, my short legs can't really reach the peddle unless I'm scooted way up and I can only scoot so far anymore w this belly.

camichael84 · July 2016

618mom22boys said:

I'm having trouble wiping when I go to the bathroom. lol

Unfortunately, I am having the same problem.

I also have to do the side hug thing.

Rocking my daughter is also becoming more difficult. There is less lap for her, and her positioning is getting restricted. Then standing up to put her in her crib once she is asleep is a feat.

Also, the bump is greatly restricting sex. Pretty much down to one position that still works.

sareej521 · July 2016

We have a top load washing machine and it's on a little platform, I've been struggling royally trying to get clothes out of the bottom! (Spare change just keeps going through the wash till it gets brought up in clothing!) Thankfully I have a large chest too because I had a blond moment and brought the hatch of my Suv down when I was standing a little too close and crashed it into the boobage!

frogdog06 · July 2016

Peace out to my ankle strap sandals. These were impossible to secure, especially when switching shoes in my car.

I get toothpaste dribble on the top of my belly and plenty of crumbs. Thankfully my belly can rest comfortably on top of our bathroom counter while I get ready in the morning.

Also, plenty of moaning and groaning getting up from my desk chair with the big belly.

AnnaS930 · July 2016

When I go grocery shopping I used to pull my cart up to the conveyor belt, then scoot around the side of the cart to get in front of it to unload/pay/etc. I could not squeeze between my cart and the rack of candy this past week. I was literally stuck behind my cart. And of course I have the 1.5 year old in the seat of the cart, weighing it down. I tried lifting the cart a bit to shift it over, tried going up on my toes but I wasn't tall enough to get my belly over the cart. Luckily it was one of the very very few times this pregnancy that my husband has been free to grocery shop with us and I had to say "I'm stuck behind the cart... I'll be right here..." He and the cashiers just cracked up.

ElcaB · July 2016

I still instinctively suck in when I am trying to squeeze by something or close a bathroom stall door. This, of course, does nothing.

Our sink is in the corner of the kitchen, so I've learned to lean sideways against the counter perpendicular to the sink when I wash dishes. This is much easier on my back than hunching over the sink.

This whole mobility thing is just getting super awkward and difficult! Even getting out of bed (we have a VERY low bed frame) requires all of my strength.

PSUBecky23 · July 2016

I've got a nice shelf to rest my daughter on when I pick her up to hug her before leaving her at school.

jhems776 · July 2016

Not that it's the size of the bump but our bed on the frame is comically high, comes almost up to my belly button. Getting in and out of bed is becoming harder and a little painful. Since the box spring and mattress are huge when we moved I had the movers just but them directly on the floor, they still come up to about chair height. Best decision every, night time bathroom breaks are much easier. I've been asked why not get a a stool? Well I am 90% sure I'd misstep and twist my ankle and fall.

TheTamedShrew · July 2016

I'm the farthest along on this board I think so I am definitely having belly maneuvering issues now:

Last night I was finally able to balance a plate on my belly! Yay, snack tray!

Squatting and picking things up is painful and awkward. Last night I had a very difficult time squatting on the stool next to the bathtub so I could wash DD's hair.

Mopping the floors hurts my back now (and wears me out), and I am seriously considering either hiring a cleaning lady for a few months or making DH do it.

Sex is so awkward. Even when I want it I don't want it now because the belly maneuvering is an instant mood killer.

rock1cherry · July 2016

@thetamedshrew I agree on the mopping. Sweeping does it for me too. My back aches so badly afterwards and I need to take breaks.

mrsvoorhees-2 · July 2016

A group of us at work all go
to lunch together and my friend that always drives has a Chevy diesel truck. I pretty much just grab the handle at the top and hoist myself in. It's such a struggle. It's even hard to get my leg high enough to get in my car because my leg hits my belly before its high enough.

KristinUM12 · July 2016

This thread is so cute!

I can no longer kneel in the pew at church. Haha. Secretly, it's kinda nice that I just get to sit

Also, I feel like my desk at work was made for a pregnant woman. There's an arc in the desk where I sit, and it perfectly accommodates my bump to be able to still type and use the laptop without having to figure out something new!

jas1982 · July 2016

I park on the left side of our very narrow garage, the right is still full of boxes from when we moved in. As of yesterday, I officially have to wrestle my way over the cup holders and get through to the passenger side door to get out of the car, there is just not enough room to open the driver's side wide enough. Hilarious. Getting over the armrests is no picnic either... maybe it's time to practice backing the car in?

@jhems776 I also have a comically high bed, getting in and out is getting embarrassing. I feel like I am going to just slide back down on my giant belly while scrabbling my hands at the sheets like a looney tune. Pregnancy is so glamorous. Haha.

Blairbear28 · July 2016

You are tall enough to counter your belly?! That would be a dream! I often get stuck between my dishwasher and counters

hey_clever_girl · July 2016

Putting on socks has proven quite challenging. Rolling over in bed at night is a feat and wakes me up pretty much every time. Sitting comfortably is impossible, unless I'm lounging back in a recliner like some lazy fat sea lion.

bnt1023 · July 2016

I hit my belly every time I open the refrigerator door.

Pulling my leggings off...gheez! That wears me out.

JennM205 · July 2016

I feel like all I do, all day, every day is maneuver around this belly, haha!

Bending, shaving legs, putting on pants and socks, sex (what's that, again?)...

I'm a teensy bit jealous of you ladies who can rest your bellies on counters. I'm way too tall for that. One of the few times in my life I'd be willing to give up a few inches!

All of the parking ramps at work are angled and I learned months ago that parking so the driver's side is facing down instead of up the ramp makes getting in and out so much easier. I will walk further just so I can get a down-facing spot.

jbscmama · July 2016

@MrsVoorhees yesssss.....my husband has a truck. He's going to have to heft me into it before it's all over

frogdog06 · July 2016

@TheTamedShrew DH hired us housecleaning which comes every three weeks and it is glorious. I just vacuum in between (we have a cat and a dog). HIGHLY recommended.

@runningisrad even putting on my underwear/thong after I shower is a comical balancing act of me half bending over and trying to get a foot in (one at a time).

I gave up on trimming my toenails and have just been getting pedicures. No more heels at work either, just flats.

KimmySchmidt · July 2016

AmMcc12 said:

I wish I could put my belly on the counter!! Being short most counters are too tall

Yes, I feel like a t-rex trying to put dishes away. My belly puts me too far away for my arms to reach!

AmMcc12 · July 2016

@KimmySchmidt the struggle is definitely real! I am having issues getting things out of my top load washer today!

SarahDarah333 · July 2016

Oh this struggle is so real. Last night at my cousin's wedding, I swear I was in the way of everything and everyone. I kept bumping into people with my belly, or they were bumping into the belly trying to get past me.

Wiping after going to the bathroom- oh yes. And grooming down there? HA!

Getting up from a seated or laying down position is getting far more difficult, especially if it's a soft surface like a couch or bed. Putting on and taking off shoes it becoming super challenging, as is picking up things I drop. I'm short so my belly hits every counter in our apartment- so I have to use a full length mirror to put on my makeup since I can't lean over the dry vanity. I can't reach our top shelves in the kitchen either to put away dishes.

chavezrd2 · July 2016

It official, moved the recliner to the bedroom to sleep. Can't lay down or prop with pillows anymore

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