Book vs real life: 15 weeks pregnant
September 2, 2016
In a new series, I’m reading what various pregnancy books say is happening in this (growing) body of mine, from baby to brain. This time, The Bump tells us what should be going on at 15 weeks.
The book says…
Baby’s making lots of progress: the joints and limbs can all move now. You probably can’t feel it yet, but baby’s squirming a ton! Baby might even be hiccuping in there.
I say…
I can feel it, much earlier than my first pregnancy, when I genuinely wasn’t sure what was gas and what was kicking. Especially in the late afternoon when I think this kid is having a disco.
The book says…
The baby is the size of a navel orange. The average fetus at 15 weeks weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 4 inches—and baby’s proportions are becoming even more normal, since his or her legs now out-measure the arms.
I say…
ONLY THE SIZE OF AN ORANGE? Then why am I in my maternity jeans already? I caught myself in profile last night, reflected in the kitchen window, and by the evening I look about 6 months pregnant. Possible more when slouching, which I do all the time as I’m so damn tired post 3pm.
The book says…
While baby’s moving a ton on the inside, you might be moving a ton — between the sheets. Now that you’re at 15 weeks, you’re probably feeling very high energy, and that means high libido too.
I say…
Yeah, pretty much. This week I read this post by Numb Mum called ‘People who say pregnancy is a beautiful thing need to be slapped’ and thoroughly enjoyed the line: “What kind of cruel joke was this, giving a woman the libido of a minx and the body of a bovine?”
The book says…
You might be dealing with some not-so-sexy pregnancy symptoms during week 15, like nosebleeds, stomach issues and swollen gums, so if you’re not feeling up to sex, it’s completely understandable.
I say…
Bleeding gums, needing to wee all night, general irritability. I’m a joy.
In conclusion…
Physically, I’m okay. I’m tired by late afternoon, and am having mental dreams so not sleeping too well, but emotionally I’m a shambles; feeling really anxious and hyper-sensitive. Tonight my husband is going out and I’m legitimately excited about a night of crap TV, toast for dinner at bed at 8pm.
I read all the pregnancy book I found during my first pregnancy and had trouble relating to most of what was written. Ditched the book on my second bump.
Enjoy (try) your pregnancy.