heavily pregnant, uncomfortable & huge | **new series**
PART 1 - THE CASE OF ROSIE’S HUGE, PREGNANT BELLY
Rosie placed a hand under her swollen belly as she tried to sit up, her back straining trying to support the baby that had completely taken over her petite frame. At 28 weeks, Dr Green had told Rosie that her fundal height was an astonishing 40 cm, or equivalent to 40 weeks. Her family, friends and strangers at the grocery store would try to conceal their shock when Rosie would tell them she was not even three quarters into her pregnancy, yet her belly had already dropped, and the lower half of her belly would peek out of her tight clothes with every movement.
Rosie chalked it up to her height, she was a petite woman after all, standing at 5’3 and the suspected father (from a list of one night stands) was likely Elijah, the towering ex D1 hockey player. But her belly was simply far too large, protruding downwards as her popped navel strained against the pressure of the belly and litres of amniotic fluid likely in there. Dr Green had compiled all the possibilities - naturally large baby, polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or multiples but the mystery of Rosie’s huge, swollen belly remained.
In the meantime, Rosie was trying not to dread the next 12 weeks, hoping that she would deliver earlier knowing the possibilities of being bed bound. Dr Green estimated Rosie’s fundal height to hit 50 - 55 cm by her due date, which at that point, would require Rosie to rely on a wheelchair. This was not going to be a fun ride…
PART 2 - THE BIG MYSTERY SOLVED
Rosie was now 32 weeks along and was constantly treated like she would go into labour any minute. And it wasn’t an overreaction - Rosie required two belly support bands to even walk a few metres and when sitting, had to open her legs to have enough space for her belly. Her gait had widened significantly and Rosie always had a hand placed under her belly to lift it up and support the weight - garnering curious and shocked looks from everyone in her life.
Today was her 32 week appointment, and after a frustrating morning of trying to find clothes that would fit, Rosie showed up at the hospital wearing maternity leggings so tight that the waistband left indentations on her belly and an oversized tee that was fitting a little too snug. After signing in at the front desk, Rosie spent two minutes trying to sit down in the waiting room, placing a hand awkwardly on the back of the chair and a hand under her belly. Luckily, a man having noticed her discomfort offered help, and as embarrassed as Rosie was, she let the man help lower her down onto the chair, finally sighing in relief as she rubbed her huge, swollen belly.
Whilst waiting for her appointment, Noah, the helpful stranger, struck up a conversation, and Rosie was in no place to refuse. It helped that he was cute, with lovely green eyes and a crooked smile as Rosie asked if he wanted to feel her belly. Rosie lifted up her shirt, and pulled down the leggings that caused her belly to spill out on her lap. With the hand that wasn’t in a cast, Noah rubbed her belly, feeling the baby kick, before asking Rosie if she really was only 32 weeks with a singleton. Jokingly rolling her eyes, Rosie confirmed she really was and acting impulsively, asked Noah if he wanted her number. Flattered that a woman, but especially one as pretty as Rosie would be interested in him, Noah immediately passed her his phone for her to save her contact information.
By the time Noah left in giddy excitement, the nurse had called up Rosie, and immediately came to her aid as she saw the poor pregnant woman struggling to sit up, her belly constricting her movement. With both hands supporting her swollen bump, the belly bands clearly ineffective, Rosie finally made her way to Dr Green’s office. The physician looked her up and down, before promptly ordering the nurse to help Rosie up onto the examination bed. Dr Green measured her fundal height, pressing the measuring tape firmly from the base of Rosie’s stomach to her swollen pelvic area before gasping at the results. 46 cm, or as Dr Green explained, Rosie’s belly was the size of a 46 week pregnant bump, surpassing most women who were pregnant with multiples. Dr Green then moved onto the ultrasound, paying extra close attention to the monitor before doing a double take. The doctor pressed the transducer (wand) firmly over Rosie’s belly several times over, before composing herself to reveal the news.
“Rosie, you have a rare medical condition called uterus didelphys. Or also called a double uterus. The ultrasound results show that in your first uterus, you have one baby 32 weeks along. Your second uterus, hard to see because of your first, has two more babies, measuring at around 22 weeks”
Rosie stared at the monitor, trying to comprehend that this entire time, she’s been pregnant with triplets. The first baby would have been Elijah’s, the ex hockey player. And the father of the set of twins…from Rosie’s blurry memory would have been either Jacob or Daniel. Now, more than ever, Rosie regretted her months of wild clubbing and one night stands.
