Unlike my first pregnancy, where I documented my growing belly almost every week, I have yet to take a single belly picture of myself… until now. The very last belly picture I took when I was pregnant with Toddler Heels was at 37 Weeks 6 Days, so I wanted to emulate that again and see how my belly looked on that exact day the second time around.
Here I am, 3 days before I gave birth to Toddler Heels:
Here I am now – with soon-to-be Baby Heels:
With Toddler Heels, I had constant heartburn, and the pressure down there was unbearable. I felt like I was about to give birth at any moment, and she proved me right by coming 3 days after I took that picture. With Baby Heels, I get far less heartburn, and it feels like he’s sitting comfortably in my womb without so much a hint of wanting to get out. He seems quite cozy in there, and I think I may actually make the 40-week mark…
Speaking of heartburn, seconds after Toddler Heels made her grand entrance into the world, the nurses asked if I suffered from heartburn during my pregnancy. Of course I responded with an adamant, “YES!” They said they had a theory that babies born with a ton of hair (Toddler Heels looked like a troll) gave their moms a lot of heartburn. Probably not scientific at all, but I thought that was interesting!
Toddler Heels was born a a hefty 7 pounds 15 ounces. Currently, Baby Heels is measuring only 6 pounds 4 ounces. Yet when I compare the two pictures, my belly shape and size look pretty similar. I measured my belly, and even the girth is the same as last time, coming in at exactly 40 inches. I also gained the same amount of weight. I guess the body will do what it wants to do because my (unintentional) approach to pregnancy the second time around has been completely different from the first.
With Toddler Heels, I was doing prenatal yoga and walking nightly up until the day she was born. I made sure I was getting plenty of protein and guzzling water like a camel. Nowadays, the word “exercise” doesn’t even exist in my vocabulary. I stopped doing anything remotely active the moment I hit my third trimester. Because of my full-time job, and having to keep up with an increasingly active toddler, I’m left with no desire to even go for a walk around the block at night. I grab food when I can after I make sure my firstborn is fed, and I’m definitely not drinking as much water as I should. Despite my lack of care for myself, my two pregnancies have been more similar than not.
Besides the heartburn, I can’t really think of too many differences. Sure I’m more tired and achy this time around, but that comes with having a toddler. My ugly linea negra is back, but no stretch marks, no swollen limbs, and my feet haven’t increased in size (knock on wood!). I’m having trouble sleeping, I’m thirsty all the time, and peeing a bajillion times a day (I’ve been seriously tempted to buy some Depends), but all that’s old territory for me. We’re down to the wire now and I really can’t complain. Despite my relatively smooth pregnancy, I have NO desire to go through all this again. I don’t know how those with more difficult pregnancies do it… you are my heroes.
Were your pregnancies pretty similar or completely different? Were the babies the same or different genders?
honeydew / 7968 posts
Your belly does look exactly like! My kids came out w a lot of hair and I didn’t really have heartburn. =)
pomegranate / 3414 posts
heartburn with both and both had just a dusting of hair
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
omg I totally forgot about Depends! I bought them and no joke, wore them for the last month when I’d go for a walk in the evening. I didn’t use them on purpose, but with a baby that low, I needed ’em. hahaha
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
Your bumps look so similar!
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
I agree, belly looks exactly the same!
clementine / 943 posts
I love the pics! It gives me hope that when I have baby #2, I’ll look as good as I did with #1.
And for the record, that heartburn thing? Total myth! My LO had TONS of hair at birth and I had zero heartburn. My theory is that baby girls are the heartburn-causers!
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
you look fabulous. my were very similar but the back pain was way worse the second time around.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@Mrs. Sunglasses: My back pain is much worse the second time around too! I think it’s also because I’m constantly picking up/putting down DD (there’s just no way around it sometimes). Also, my baby is currently sunny side up. Speaking of pain… I’ve been put on bed rest for a few days because of some tremendous pain in my pelvic area this week. I’ve taken waddling to another level. =/
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@Mrs. Stroller: HAHA! My friend sent me a link to some free samples of Depends, and I actually signed up for them. I have a pack of two sitting beneath my sink as we speak… just in case.
I have to admit, they look pretty comfy and came in a nice pink package (I’m a sucker for pretty packages).
honeydew / 7444 posts
How did i not know you were preggers?? You look great — what a fantastic top!
LO had a ton of hair but i had no heartburn. I like to think it’s just an old wives’ tale.
grapefruit / 4669 posts
I would LOVE some Depends! This baby has dropped in the past day or 2 and I feel like I might as well not even go to bed at night since I have to get up and pee so often. But yaaaaay for 2 more weeks!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@tororojo: Oh I feel ya!!
Lol if you’re serious, here’s the link to a two-pack of FREE Depends – http://www.depend.com/the-great-american-try-on! I’ll admit, I actually stopped by the aisle in the store and Depends are expensive. I haven’t actually used them (yet) though… but just.in.case. cuz you never know!
grapefruit / 4669 posts
@Mrs. High Heels: Haha, I tried to sign up but sadly it won’t load the free sample page (I can’t tell if it’s my computer or if they’re out of stock or something). But I imagine they would be great for postpartum!
cherry / 119 posts
you look amazing at 37 weeks! did you notice that you started to show earlier with #2? and i’m going to have to remember depends whenever i end up preggo with #2.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@mrsvivian: Thank you! Yes, I definitely started to show a lot earlier with #2, but the baby didn’t “drop” as fast. I was feeling so much pressure already at 35-36 weeks with #1, but even at 38 weeks it feels like the baby is hanging out comfortably in my belly.
guest
Your pregnant belly looks SO NICE at 37 weeks and that red shirt on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!