Bump It

I went to a pre-natal yoga class a little while ago, and one of the first things they do is have everyone go around and say how far along they are in their pregnancy.  As soon as I walked in I started trying to figure this out for myself. 

I concluded that I was easily the most pregnant person in the room and felt a sort of protective affection for these newbies, already planning how after class I'd answer their pregnancy questions in a manner that was authoritative without being patronizing.

I scanned the room again, making my guess about each one.  I was 16 weeks, so I was trying to compare their bellies to mine. 

The woman closest to me was very thin but had a noticeable bump so I thought she might be closest to me, maybe 15 or 16 weeks. 

Across the room was one who looked like she was still in the stage where she wouldn't have told anyone and co-workers would be wondering if she'd just gotten fat - I called it 11 weeks.

I had to full turn my head to look at the last woman in class because she was in a headstand against the wall.  Clearly an experienced yogi in great shape.  She looked quite the opposite of pregnant, I think her stomach curved in.  I concluded she'd either just found out the day before that she was pregnant or had come to the wrong class but decided to stick it out since she'd already fed the meter.

The class began and I went first, announcing my name and my 16 weeks along status with pride. 

After me was the one who was still in the "did she gain weight or is she pregnant?" stage.  "My name is Wendy and I'm 12 weeks," she announced.  Yes!  Pretty much nailed it.  I started thinking about how I'd tell her how great the second trimester is.

Next was the thin woman with the small bump who I'd guessed was in line with me.  "I'm Lisa and I am 22 weeks along."  Wamp wah, well good for her, maybe she could tell me a thing or two.

Finally, the fitness model came out of her inversion and looked up, "I'm Nicole and I'm 16 weeks."  I suddenly felt less proud of my little belly, but I hadn't been able to suck it in for weeks. 

I went through the class telling myself that everyone is different and that she probably wished she looked at least a little pregnant.  But I didn't stick around long enough at the end to see if there was any bump chat.  I rolled up my mat and towel and took my baby home.