The Bump

We’re about to close in on 15 weeks (tomorrow) and Tiffany is definitely starting to show. Her pants have been tightening for a couple weeks, but now there is definitely a “pooch” or “baby bump” in clear view now.

At 15 weeks, this is certainly not unexpected, but what is surprising is that she hasn’t gained a pound yet. Yes, you read that right, Tiffany has not gained any weight. A few caveats, as I think I’ve mentioned before our first appointment was just after returning from Florida so that may not have been her “real” weight. Also, she actually weighed less at one point during the pregnancy than she did at the time of our first appointment so if you go off that, she has gained a couple pounds.

But the fact remains that going from her weight at our first appointment, she weighs a half pound less, yet is 15 weeks pregnant. We’ve joked that excess weight from other areas of her body has been siphoned to her stomach for the baby.

To the father the bump represents a constant reminder of what is on the way. I’ve heard and seen the heartbeat, viewed pictures of my unborn child, but those are just reminders every few weeks. Looking at Tiffany now, there’s no doubt something is happening inside her. Dad’s don’t suffer from any of the symptoms of pregnancy so it’s nice to have some visual conformation and it does definitely make it feel more real. 

Also with With the “bump”, comes the need for maternity clothes. As I was headed out the door this morning Tiffany said that the jeans she was wearing were on borrowed time and probably couldn’t be worn much longer. Not surprisingly like everything to do with pregnancy and newborn children, maternity clothing is a multi-million dollar business. 

There are roughly 4 million pregnancies in the U.S. each year. Even if each pregnant woman buys just a few items, that’s a lot of sales. I’m sure Tiffany will be visiting Modern Maternity and/or Target soon to be purchasing her first pair of maternity jeans and other clothes, particularly clothes she can wear to work.