From: mike@isgtec.com (Mike Sellers)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: Why am I so big?
Date: 2 Oct 92 21:44:02 GMT
Organization: ISG Technologies Inc., Mississauga Ontario

mwalker@taimyr.Colorado.EDU (Marilyn Walker) writes:
> I have zillions of questions about my new baby.

You didn't say, but is this your first?  (Seems to me that the majority
of folks here have one, maybe two kids tops -- or is that just my 
imagination?)

> My husband has been saying for the last 6 weeks ago that I seem to big (for
> my date).  [...]
> 
> I looked through my books, but none of them really addresses this.  "What to
> expect..." seemed to suggest two possibilities: (1) twins, or (2) excess
> amniotic fluid.  

I'd vote for #2, for the same reasons you said:  the chances that you're
having as-yet-undetected twins are small; then again, it's been known to
happen. :-)  So far as I know, there's no problems associated with excess
amniotic fluid, except perhaps embarrassment if your water breaks in the
middle of a restaurant or grocery store (places High on the List for this
to happen, it seems).  Ask your doctor, if you haven't already, and don't
sweat it.

> ...  None of my literature discusses this.  What is it, and what does it
> mean?  

Amniotic fluid is the thick (water to syrup-like) saline fluid surrounding
and padding your baby.  It may mean you have an Olympic swimmer coming 
your way. :-)  Mainly it means that for genetic or metabolic reasons you're
carrying a lot of water (how are are hands and feet?).  Don't worry about it.

> Hubbie suggested a
> third possibility - a very big kid - but that seems excessive for this early.
> Or is it?  I have eaten healthfully and exercised throughout, so a somewhat
> large baby would not surprise me.  I passed my glucose test no problem, nor
> has there ever been sugar in my urine.  

I _think_ a large baby depends more on the baby's genes rather than your
health, assuming it's within normal parameters.  It's a possibility; some
people just have whoppers.  You'll know soon!

> Or is there just a wide range of variation, and people are just
> being rude (my opinion anyway).  Can you imagine commenting on someone's
> body shape if they WEREN'T pregnant?  I can see it now: "You are HUGE!  WHAT
> have you been eating?  Did you swallow a watermelon whole?" and on and on.

There is a _lot_ of variation between people and even between pregnancies. 
My wife never gets that big when she's pregnant; people tend to think she's 
6-7 months along when she's about to deliver.  We knew a woman once who blew 
up like a dirigible when she got pregnant.  They're both small women, and 
the size difference was definitely noticable.  That doesn't mean people 
aren't rude, though.  In general, I think Miss Manners would deplore comments
on anyone's size or shape, no matter what their status pregnancy-wise.

> Advice and opinions heartily welcome.  Who else out there is due in November?

Sorry, no help here.  But we may be due in June!

--
              Mike Sellers      User Interface Team Leader
           mike@isgtec.com      ISG Technologies, Toronto, Canada
              "Actum ne agas" -- Do not do what has been done.
                         Furare tantum ab Optimis
Newsgroups: misc.kids,misc.education,k12.chat.teacher,sci.med,chi.general