Belly Rubs from Friends

I am already 5 1/3 months pregnant. And my belly is already showing no signs of slowing down. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Because of that, a lot of people would rub or at least touch my bulging belly, especially in church. They would greet me and then simultaneously put their hands on my belly. Even before I was pregnant, I am already aware that a lot of pregnant women do not like this idea, because of course, why would a woman want her belly rubbed, pregnant or not? The tummy is a already a private part, and although some ladies wear midriffs, I don’t think it if for the purpose of letting other people touch their tummies.

And I thought it would be a big bother for me as well because I am also a very “private personal” kind of person. Like when standing in queue, I don’t want people rubbing themselves on me. I think they are already invading my private space.

People feel that if you are pregnant, your belly is already public property, or just an extension, and not really a part of you. Sometimes it is rude, but it could not be helped especially in the Filipino setting

But I don’t why, I guess it is the overwhelming joy of pregnancy that has gotten over me. The pride over my swelling belly at my growing baby has overwhelmed me so much that I couldn’t help it but be also happy because the people around me are also excited with my getting pregnant.

So I guess that is about that. I am also glad that I don’t find these belly rubs annoying by other people annoying because that is one less stress in my pregnancy.

Your baby’s growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he’s almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he’ll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.