Looking Pregnant

[Trekhawk]

I was so embarrassed this morning and I just had to share. I had to visit the school nurse to have a TB test so I could help out at my sons school. I turn up fill in the necessary paperwork and she then asks me how many months pregnant I am. OMG Im not pregnant. She became so embarrassed and flustered saying I only thought you were a few months Im so sorry. All this just made me feel worse. I left feeling a little depressed about the whole situation. Ive never had the flattest belly even before having three kids but I have been working really hard doing sit ups and watching what I eat. I weighed myself yesterday and Im 126 pounds. I was feeling pretty good about myself and what I perceived was a firmer fitter me and then this. I know its silly and Im a little premenstrual so that probably doesnt help but it has really spoiled my day.:(

[mimitabby]

I can safely say that when i used to be premenstrual (now i am post post post post menstrual :D :D :D :D ) that was when
My abdomen looked like that, sometimes SERIOUSLY distended... then it magically went away. so if you're not PG, be thankful that it IS going to go away; and just glare at that nurse a few times for being such an idiot.

[Geonz]

Yea, I have never had kids... but it's my natural shape.
Somebody once asked me in the library, "Are you blessed?" Took me a few seconds (okay, he's looking where?)... and I'm afraid I replied "No, just bloated!" PMS will do that...
You have done a service, I hope - the embarrassment had to be both-sided! Take it like a woman :)
... oh, and it's your firmer, fitter you that is why the contrast is greater. If you were flabbier all over she wouldn't have thought or said such a thing...

[SadieKate]

Leslie, you always look so trim and fit. Go let the hormones due their deed and let it go. The nurse should know better than to say things like that. Ask her when was the last time she rode a 100 miles in one day.

[Trekhawk]

Thanks girls. I just got back from a ride and as you know cycling helps put everything back into perspective. I guess being premenstrual really affects me emotionally more than physically so what I would have laughed off last week makes me crazy this week. Considering that she is pretty lucky she survived the experience :D (being cranky is also a problem when Im premenstrual).

Thank goodness I have my bicycle to sort me out.:D

[mtkitchn]

Although I AM premenstrual right now, I can't blame that for my belly. I always look pregnant when I have a few extra pounds on me, since that's where every ounce of fat goes. The curse of the "apple" shape, I suppose.

[Trekhawk]

Although I AM premenstrual right now, I can't blame that for my belly. I always look pregnant when I have a few extra pounds on me, since that's where every ounce of fat goes. The curse of the "apple" shape, I suppose.

LOL - apple shape not heard that one before. Im with you on the fat storing thats where any extra pounds I have go to first and come of last. I think the boobs is the first place the fat leaves ahhh if only I could push that fat up somehow I could change my forum name to Busty.:D

[Dogmama]

Between PMS and IBS, I completely understand. It clearly sucks. I have my big long dresses for those days. I want to feel like I'm wearing my PJ's to work, because my mood is usually NOT sunny!

[pooks]

Look on the bright side! At least she didn't look at you and assume you were too old to be preggers!

(Um, maybe not very bright, but a little bright?)

[Trekhawk]

Look on the bright side! At least she didn't look at you and assume you were too old to be preggers!

(Um, maybe not very bright, but a little bright?)

Mate I will take the upside over the down any day. Ill be hitting 42 in a couple of months so I guess I should take it as a compliment.

[Lise]

Years ago, a co-worker, a nurse in L+D, reached over and patted my tummy in the elevator. Asked, "When are you due?" I said, "I'm not pregnant." She gasped and turned bright red. I'm sure I did, too. But it's taught me not to ask that question unless someone is either waddling in the 9th month, or actually in labor. And then, I don't have to ask! I hope the experience has cured "your" nurse of ever asking again!

Glad the bike lifted your mood. That's a reliable one, isn't it?!

[Trekhawk]

Years ago, a co-worker, a nurse in L+D, reached over and patted my tummy in the elevator. Asked, "When are you due?" I said, "I'm not pregnant." She gasped and turned bright red. I'm sure I did, too. But it's taught me not to ask that question unless someone is either waddling in the 9th month, or actually in labor. And then, I don't have to ask! I hope the experience has cured "your" nurse of ever asking again!

Glad the bike lifted your mood. That's a reliable one, isn't it?!

LOL - thanks Lise. Yep she looked plenty ruffled by the time I left so I dont think she will be asking that again even if the woman is nine months.

And yep the bike sure helps. Did I mention how much I love my bikes.:)

[Nanci]

I have to ask _everyone_ of even remotely possible childbearing age if they are pregnant before they can stay in the x-ray room with their family member. I always phrase it "Is there any chance you could be expecting?" and 99 out of 100 respond "God NO!!!!!!!!!!" :-)

One time, I asked a coworker if she was pregnant. She was divorced, dating a relatively new guy. "God NO!!" she says, and I am horrified, because I was so sure- she just had that look. I vowed never to ask that question again. But a couple weeks later- she breaks the news- she _is_, in fact, pregnant, just hadn't known when I'd asked...

[Trekhawk]

I have to ask _everyone_ of even remotely possible childbearing age if they are pregnant before they can stay in the x-ray room with their family member. I always phrase it "Is there any chance you could be expecting?" and 99 out of 100 respond "God NO!!!!!!!!!!" :-)

One time, I asked a coworker if she was pregnant. She was divorced, dating a relatively new guy. "God NO!!" she says, and I am horrified, because I was so sure- she just had that look. I vowed never to ask that question again. But a couple weeks later- she breaks the news- she _is_, in fact, pregnant, just hadn't known when I'd asked...

I dont mind being asked if there is the chance I might be pregnant (that is the smart way to ask) as I understand they need to know. I just assumed that most people wouldnt blurt out how many months are you when they have never even seen you before - in my books its just thoughtless and rude. After having three kids trust me Id know if I was pregnant.

[Veronica]

Well I think you look great! And you don't look like your 40 either!

I wish I weighed 126. :p

V.

[Trekhawk]

Well I think you look great! And you don't look like your 40 either!

I wish I weighed 126. :p

V.

Thanks V - but my climbing still sucks. Hmm lost some weight, have light bike, oh no I guess that means the problem is training. Note to self stop avoiding those big hills.:D

[SouthernBelle]

Trekhawk,

You have no reason to be embarassed but the stupid nurse does. It is amazingly rude to assume someone is pregnant.

You want me to tell her she's rude? I'll call her & tell her.

[Blueberry]

Trek-

Sorry to hear about the rude comment! Grrr....people should be so much more tactful. I've actually been called "sir" before, since I have short hair. I think the person only had a from behind view, as otherwise he would have seen the girls - they're kinda obvious. Still....I didn't wear jeans for a while....

[yellow]

I have my big long dresses for those days.
One day I was wearing one of these big long dresses and I got the question. I was flabbergasted and the gal was rightfully embarrassed. That evening I threw the dress in the garbage and have never worn anything like that in public since! :p

I think it was Dave Barry that said something like "DO NOT ask a woman if she's pregnant unless you see the baby coming out AT THAT MOMENT."

[Kitsune06]

No kidding. God.
And being skinny makes it WORSE. When I was about 108# and SKINNY, skinny, like see-my-ribs-more-than-you-can-now skinny, it was so bad that every time I was premenstrual, I bloated so noticeably I was asked a couple of times, and even when my IBS kicked up REALLY bad, I was asked once. EMBARRASSING. People think that when you're just married, every time you start to have to put on your 'fat' or 'bloated' jeans, you're pregnant.

...and I've gotten the 'sir' thing before. Gruh. Even worse: I've been shopping and overheard a little girl arguing with her mom over whether or not I'm a boy. :rolleyes:
Worse: the little girl difinitively decided that yes, I most definitely was. "She doesn't have boobies." :eek: She was like 5, she doesn't have to CARE whether or not I have boobies! GEEZ!:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Nanci]

Oh, my daughter was at the mall with her baby, only her GF was holding the baby, and a clerk asked Kelly if she was the little brother....(Short hair, likes to wear baggy clothes sometimes) http://home.alltel.net/nlevake/Kelly/kelly.htm

[Kitsune06]

*cringe* geez, Nanci, that's a hard one to top. That clerk must've wanted to die. :eek:

[pooks]

Once my sister and I were in a shop and the clerk asked if she was my mother.

I have friends who had babies at the age of 41, and another friend who was prematurely grey at 41. One friend and baby went with grey-haired friend to shop, and they thought the gray-haired friend was the grandmother.

However, sometimes people now ask my sister and I which one is older. Since she's 8 years older, I am the one who gets to simmer. Grrrr.

[Thistle]

God people can be so rude Trekhawk. I mean at 126lbs, I cant imagine you even look pregnant!

I am overweight and have been asked, and it doesnt feel good :( The woman where i buy my fruit and vegies asked one day and i changed shops - i've never been back. I think it's such a personal question that unless a woman (who is obviously, unmistakably pregnant) brings up the topic of her pregnancy, i wont even ask at 9 months! Guess i'm a bit oversensitive:o

But then I try to tell myself that it's always women and maybe they love babies and just want to share the joy:confused:

[Trekhawk]

Thanks girls - my belly bulge and I are feeling much happier today.:D

[KnottedYet]

I AM GUILTY!!!! GUILTY, I TELL YOU!!!!!

I asked a woman when she was due, and she wasn't preggers.

I felt AWFUL, and I'm sure she did, too.

I never ask now, even my co-workers. Either they tell me, or I don't know, because I ain't askin' unless the woman looks 12 months pregnant or the baby is on the way out.

(I've been called "sir" or "son" or "boy" on a regular basis for the last 30 years. Such is life. So I really do try to be careful when I speak to others.)

[Derf]

You are only 126 lbs? I can't believe she asked you that. I never ask anyone for fear of being wrong. People probably think I'm rude for not asking about when the baby is due. Lady here at work looks pregnant, but no way I was going to ask. Very relieved when we were in elevator and she says, "I can hardly wait until the baby is born." Whew, then I could ask her about it.

[wannaduacentury]

I have a tummy pooch and been asked lots of times.Since I am fixed, I just politely tell them so and then they ask, Don't you want more? I say sure I do, but we almost died bringing her into the world, so NO!!
But I did it someone else too-- It was after christmas and I saw a lady looking like she's 7 months along. I politely asked her if she was and she said no. Too many Christmas goodies, said she was going on a diet.:p

[latelatebloomer]

Nurse with a deathwish, if you ask me. Trekdarling, I've seen several pictures of you, and I just can't figure what she was thinking. In fact, I just told my husband your story (and he's seen your pics, too) and if you could see his incredulous face right now, you'd laugh and laugh.*

On yer bike, mate, and don't give it another thought.

* He said it was like someone asking HIM if he was preggers, it's that silly.

[crazybikinchic]

yesterday, I was at work and my boss and I were talking about children. I have a daughter that passed away about 5 years ago. My boss up and asked why I didn't go to the doctor and get checked since I wasn't getting pregnant. It's been a while since someone has frowned on my decision to not have another child (there is a 1 in 4 chance of my children having the same thing my daughter did and my husband has had kidney issues, a transplant, that are passed to the boys). I had to tell her H#** no, that I would not put another child through that. She was embarrassed and thought that she hurt my feelings.