A mother who was made fun of for having a “big” baby bump won’t succumb to pregnancy stigma.
Eliana Rodriguez, who is now 29 years old, recently gave birth to Sebastian, her second kid. Despite the fact that Rodriguez’s pregnancy and child were both healthy, her larger-than-average stomach drew comments like “You are gigantic,” “You seem to be expecting twins,” and “Have you looked to see if there’s another kid in there?” Rodriguez’s pregnancy and unborn child were both in good health. She must be really uncomfortable.
A huge bump during pregnancy may be a sign of some health problems, but it can also occasionally be perfectly normal and the consequence of the woman’s body expanding. Rodriguez gave the reassurance that she and her toddler are in excellent health.
“I had large pregnancies; both of my children were born weighing 8.3 pounds. My 3-year-old daughter Sofia was 19.5 inches at birth, while my new boy was 20.5 inches.”
Rodriguez acknowledged that she was aware of the curiosity but that she had never been rude in response. My reply is, “Yes, I am huge and it’s hard.”
Rodriguez, a business entrepreneur in Las Vegas, Nevada, who specializes in health and wellness, stated, “I pondered why my tummy was bigger than other girls. My doctors told me it was typical because I am only 4’11” and have a shorter torso.”
Rodriguez started showing up two months ago.
She continued, “I am an open person so I was so delighted that I wanted to share. We had been trying for a second child and hoped for a boy.”.
During her pregnancy, Rodriguez carried a lot of amniotic fluid, which fills the amniotic sac and shields the fetus while allowing it to move.
The Mayo Clinic describes “polyhydramnios” as an excess that happens in 1% to 2% of pregnancies. The majority of cases are unproblematic, despite the fact that it can result in preterm labor.
Rodriguez said that despite having a lot of amniotic fluid, her physicians had determined that she did not have polyhydramnios.
She said, “They measured the baby’s size and the amount of fluids.”
Other causes of excess fluid, according to Chicago, Illinois-based OBGYN Dr. Kiarra King (who did not treat Rodriguez), include maternal diabetes and fetal structural anomalies.
Additionally, polyhydramnios is not the primary reason for a pregnant woman’s larger belly. Due to fetal macrosomia, maternal obesity, or Diastasis Recti, which happens when the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy after earlier pregnancies, a patient may seem to be further along in the pregnancy than they actually are.
Thankfully, Rodriguez stayed clear of all of these problems.
While dealing with the intrusive questions, Rodriguez emphasized her desire for people to refrain from making pregnancy- and body-shaming remarks. She asserted that women who are experiencing prenatal or postpartum depression may find themselves “in a terrible place” as a result of body image criticism.
Rodriguez said, “I understand that some individuals have less sympathy for others.” She said, “I am a religious woman and I feel so terrible for people who use cruel words.
Woman Gives Candy on Halloween to Little Girl Wearing the Same Kind of Dress Her Missing Husband Used to Make — Story of the Day
This was the first Halloween Kate’s daughter would celebrate without her father. Kate still hadn’t moved on from her husband’s disappearance. Seeing her daughter smile again made Kate forget everything. But when she saw the same dress Carl used to make on a different girl, her heart skipped a beat.
It was almost Halloween, and the air was filled with the crispness of autumn. Leaves crunched underfoot outside, and the neighborhood was slowly transforming into a festive, spooky wonderland.
Outside her cozy home, Kate was busy decorating, determined to make everything perfect for her daughter, Holly.
The lawn was already filled with a jumble of decorations — plastic bats, fake cobwebs, and flickering pumpkins.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate stood on a stool, carefully stringing up the bats while Holly followed closely behind, bringing her own items to contribute.
Holly’s enthusiasm made Kate smile, but the little girl had her own unique ideas about Halloween. Holly didn’t quite understand the concept of “spooky.”
Instead of creepy decorations, she carried her favorite pink dolls and a fluffy teddy bear, arranging them carefully on the front porch, right next to the jack-o’-lanterns.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate watched with amusement as Holly placed her toys in a neat line. She admired her daughter’s creativity but knew it was time to explain, yet again, what Halloween was all about.
“Sweetheart,” Kate began, her voice soft, “Halloween is supposed to be spooky, not cute.”
She smiled gently, realizing she had explained this a thousand times, but Holly was only five — she had her own ideas.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Holly looked up at her mother with wide, curious eyes.
“But why, Mommy? Why does it have to be spooky?” she asked, her tiny hands clutching her beloved teddy bear.
Kate chuckled softly, stepping down from the stool.
“Well, that’s just how Halloween works,” she explained patiently.
“It’s a time when people dress up in costumes and pretend to be scary, just for fun. But it’s okay if we make it a little cute too.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Holly still seemed unconvinced, her brows furrowed in thought. But after a moment, she nodded and shrugged.
“Okay, Mommy.” Then, her face lit up. “Can I wear the costume that Daddy made me last year?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Kate’s heart clenched at the mention of Carl, her husband who had disappeared without a trace six months ago.
It felt like a sudden punch to the stomach, wiping the smile from her face.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For a moment, she froze, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for a bat decoration to hang up.
“No, sweetheart,” Kate said softly, her voice catching in her throat.
“I’ll make you a new costume this year.”
“But I liked Daddy’s costume,” Holly protested, her voice tinged with disappointment.
“Do you think he’ll come back for Halloween?” she added innocently.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The question hung in the air like a heavyweight. Kate’s heart ached, but she forced a smile, kneeling to Holly’s level and brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“I don’t think he’ll be back, darling,” Kate said, her voice gentle but filled with sadness.
The ache of not knowing what had happened to Carl never left her, but she had to be strong — for Holly.
Later that evening, the excitement in the air was almost tangible.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate knelt before Holly, making sure every detail of her daughter’s new costume was perfect.
Holly could hardly stand still, her small feet bouncing with anticipation, her candy bucket already gripped tightly in one hand.
“Hold still for just one more second, sweetie,” Kate said with a smile, adjusting the hood of Holly’s cape and giving it a final tug to make sure it sat just right.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Do you have everything? Your bucket, your flashlight, your cape — everything ready?”
“Yes, Mom!” Holly said, her voice bubbling with excitement. She tugged on her mother’s sleeve impatiently.
“Can I please go now? My friends are waiting!”
Kate couldn’t help but laugh at Holly’s eagerness. The pure joy on her daughter’s face was contagious, and for a brief moment, all the worry and sadness Kate carried about Carl’s disappearance melted away.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Alright, go on,” she said, pulling Holly in for a quick hug before letting her go. “Be safe and have fun.”
Holly flashed a wide, bright smile, her eyes twinkling with excitement, before running off to join her friends.
A small group of children, all dressed in colorful costumes, was already waiting at the end of the street, their laughter echoing in the night.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate watched Holly as she disappeared into the sea of costumes, feeling a sense of joy at seeing her daughter so happy.
With a contented sigh, Kate turned back toward the house and started preparing a big bowl of candy for the trick-or-treaters who would soon come knocking.
Before long, the doorbell rang, and the familiar chorus of “Trick or treat!” filled the air.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate greeted each group of children with a warm smile, dropping candy into their eager buckets and laughing at their colorful costumes.
But then, a little girl appeared on the doorstep, and Kate’s smile froze.
The girl was dressed in a cute little coat with a bouncy cape, and for a moment, Kate’s breath caught in her throat.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The costume looked so familiar — too familiar. It was just like the ones Carl used to make. The same fabric, the same intricate details, and the same bouncy cape.
Kate’s mind raced back to when Carl would sit at the sewing machine, working on costumes for Holly, explaining how to make the cape float just right.
“That’s a beautiful costume you have, sweetheart,” Kate said, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to keep her emotions in check.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Where did you get it?”
The little girl beamed up at her.
“My father made it! Do you like it?”
Kate’s heart pounded. “Yes,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s beautiful… and the cape is bouncy, isn’t it?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The girl nodded eagerly.
“My father says it’s better this way.”
Kate was stunned. Could it be? No, it couldn’t. Carl had been missing for so long.
This had to be a coincidence… right? But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, something deep inside her wouldn’t let it go.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Unable to stop herself, Kate leaned down and gently asked the little girl,
“Would you mind showing me where your house is? I’d love to ask your father how he made that costume. Maybe he can help me make one for Holly.”
The girl smiled, her innocence shining through.
“Sure! I live just a few streets away,” she said, pointing in the direction of her home.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate’s heart raced as soon as she closed the door behind the girl. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to this.
Could it really be Carl? After all these months, was he just a few streets away? Her mind was spinning, filled with a mixture of hope and fear.
Without hesitating, she grabbed her coat, threw it over her shoulders, and followed the girl’s directions.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
What if it really was Carl? What would she say? What would he say? As much as she wanted answers, she was afraid of what she might find. Still, she couldn’t turn back now. She had to know.
As Kate approached the house the little girl had described, she felt her breath catch in her throat.
There, standing in the doorway, handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, was Carl. Her Carl.
The man she had loved, the man she had grieved for. He was alive. He was right there in front of her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Carl spotted her almost immediately, and his face changed. There was no doubt — he recognized her.
His eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, they both stood frozen, just staring at each other.
Kate’s heart pounded in her chest as she took a few hesitant steps toward him. The only word she could manage to say was, “Hi.”
Carl swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Hi,” he replied, just as quietly.
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words and emotions.
Kate could feel a flood of questions bubbling up inside her, but none of them seemed to come out.
Her voice trembled when she finally managed to speak again.
“How have you been?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Carl sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as if trying to find the right words.
“I’m sorry, Kate. I didn’t want to disappear like that. I just… I didn’t know how to tell you the truth.”
Kate’s heart pounded faster.
“The truth?” she repeated, her voice shaking. “What truth?”
Carl looked away, guilt written all over his face. “I met someone else,” he admitted quietly.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Her name is Rachel, and… I fell in love with her. That little girl, she calls me her father now. They’re my family.”
The words hit Kate like a ton of bricks. Her heart shattered. She could barely breathe as the reality of what he was saying sunk in.
“And what about me? What about Holly? We’re your family too,” she said, her voice barely holding back the hurt.
“I know,” Carl said softly, his eyes full of regret. “But I couldn’t live in two worlds anymore. I had to choose.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Kate stood in silence, her heart aching with every breath. “And you chose them,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“I’m sorry,” Carl said, his voice thick with regret. He looked down, avoiding her gaze. “Is there anything I can do to make it right?”
Kate swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to stay composed. “Just be happy,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “That’s all you can do. We’ll try to be happy too.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Before Carl could respond, a woman appeared in the doorway behind him. “Who is this, Carl? What’s going on?” she asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.
“Rachel, please,” Carl began, turning toward her. But Kate had already made up her mind. She didn’t need to hear more.
Without a word, she turned and walked away, her heart heavy but resolute. The Carl she had known was gone. It was time to let go and move on.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
As she approached her house, she saw Holly running toward her, her candy bucket nearly overflowing.
Holly’s smile was bright and full of joy, lighting up the evening. Kate knelt down, wrapping her arms tightly around her daughter.
At that moment, she realized that all she needed was right here, with Holly. It was time to start living again, just the two of them.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: For Lisa, agoraphobia wasn’t just a disorder—it was her entire life. She hadn’t left her apartment in years and lived only by watching other people through their windows. She made up stories about the people she saw in her head, but her life changed when she decided that one of them needed her help.
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