Posts by David Johnson

I, well, I seem to be stuck somewhere in that middle ground, where my figure doesn't quite match those unrealistic "porn star" proportions you see everywhere now. 😵

Regarding my midsection, I still frequently get that awkward impression where people can't tell if I’m actually pregnant or if I’ve just put on a little extra weight—even though I've already crossed into the second half of my pregnancy. It's a strange sensation, isn't it? In reality, I have quite a petite frame, so it's really just this belly that stands out.
But then, I find myself reflecting on who I was during my teenage years and throughout my twenties. Back then, I could never tell if a woman was pregnant or not. I suppose I only ever truly noticed expectant mothers once they reached that much more prominent stage, where it becomes impossible to hide.

I have to say, this whole idea of "pretending to be pregnant" strikes me as nothing more than a joke. 🤷
I’ve found myself thinking—or saying—the exact same thing quite often when dealing with online forums or even when interacting with the Department of Justice. 😬

Is your bump really that noticeable already? Please don't take offense, but I did check your ticker. In my view, fifteen weeks is that ambiguous transitional period where you might show a little, but people aren't entirely certain. Most folks would rather take no action at all rather than risk offending someone who might just be a bit more curvaceous. 😉

On a personal note, it is incredibly frustrating that because of a hematoma and then a low-lying placenta, I haven't been able to have sex for three months now. 🙂
I find myself constantly dreaming about various erotic encounters or orgies; whenever a scene involving intimacy comes up in a TV series or a movie, I end up practically attacking my couch or a pillow like some sort of hyperactive little terrier. 🤦

My due date is just three weeks away, and if it helps anyone else feel better—I can count on one hand the number of people who actually offered me a seat on the subway or let me cut ahead in line during this entire pregnancy.

I’ve spent most of this time shoving my way through crowds and fighting for my space like some sort of relentless, unfeeling Terminator. 🥳

Tyler Ramos said:It’s the exact same lack of spatial awareness you see on the light rail. I actually get "nudged" out of the way when people are exiting because they can’t seem to navigate around my baby bump. :/
How do these people live with themselves?

And while we're talking about priority, like at the clinic when you're getting blood drawn—pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities are supposed to have precedence. When I went in for my first appointment, I wasn't even showing yet,
but the second I dropped my referral and insurance card into the priority bin for expectant mothers and seniors, it was like a signal went off; suddenly, about six hundred women jumped out of their seats just to let me know I didn't belong there!
Give me a break.

I experience this quite frequently myself—I truly cannot fathom what goes through their minds. Do they honestly believe I am wearing some sort of backpack that I am simply refusing to take off just to spitefully laugh at their attempts to push through? 🙄

Just yesterday, a young woman tried to cut in front of me in line at a local bakery. I was so stunned by the audacity that all I could manage was a quick shake of my head to indicate it wasn't necessary (though it really wasn't, as there were only three people ahead of us), yet I felt an almost overwhelming urge to just give her a hug instead. 🤣

Ultimately, it all comes down to how one was raised at home. 🥳

My dear, just because you happen to be feeling particularly energetic back in May—almost like a hummingbird in peak season—is hardly the monumental event you seem to think it is. Wait until August rolls around and your hips start aching, those cramps begin to hit, and suddenly that uncomfortable plastic chair at the local FBI field office in a town like Springfield starts looking like a divine throne, bathed in some sort of heavenly glow while a choir of angels sings the Ave Maria in the background.
And then, while you’re sitting there holding ticket number 239 while the display lazily flickers at 167—waiting for some random clerk of indeterminate age and gender to call you—tell me, will you really refuse to head straight for the counter marked "Priority for Pregnant Women and Individuals with Disabilities"?

It isn't as if I feel I've incurred a massive debt to my partner, the government, or the entire planet simply because an egg was fertilized on my way to the doctor's office. That said, I also have no desire to play the part of the militant, pseudo-emancipated woman who insists on waiting an hour in line, building a concrete patio at her vacation home, and going bungee jumping. This isn't the time to be aggressively promoting one's personal political convictions. ☕

Furthermore, one should consider that there are many women here who struggled immensely to conceive, often facing multiple miscarriages or exhausting IVF cycles. What seems like a perfectly standard pregnancy to everyone else is, for them, a period of overwhelming joy mixed with intense anxiety. They live in constant fear of every minor ache, every dizzy spell, or even a slight change in how they feel physically. And honestly? That is perfectly okay.

In fact, wouldn't it be better if society showed a bit more empathy toward them? 😘

Elizabeth Chavez33 said:Every single day, at the exact same time, too. I even set an alarm on my phone just to be sure. Look, no form of birth control is ever 100% foolproof. If I were you, I'd pair the pills with something else.🙂

I’m not saying this happens to everyone, but in my case, 😍 happened. I was just too blissfully happy and didn't let the fear of pregnancy get to me—we were in a long-term relationship, living together, blah, blah, blah.

Elizabeth Chavez33, if you don't mind my asking, how did you realize you were pregnant while on birth control? And which specific brand were you using? 😁

To provide some context, a colleague of mine here at the office went through a remarkably similar ordeal. She remained entirely unaware of her pregnancy until she reached her twelfth week. Because she continued taking her pills, she experienced what she thought was a very light period every twenty-eight days—essentially just a bit of spotting. Since she didn't have any other physical symptoms, she didn't think much of it until her third consecutive "cycle" felt equally unusual, at which point she finally sought advice from her OBGYN.

This is precisely why I maintain my stance: if you require any additional specialist consultations, investing in private coverage is undoubtedly worthwhile. When dealing with Medicare or standard public health providers, one is expected to schedule gynecological appointments at least a month in advance; heaven forbid you encounter an urgent medical situation in the meantime. 👎 As for me, I abandoned that approach long ago.
And let me be clear—I am more than willing to pay $200 monthly premiums for my Social Security, my private pension, and even this... however, should I ever find myself facing a crisis similar to what your father experienced, I would pivot to a private policy immediately. A close friend of mine was able to secure a medical exam just two days after her policy was active. If things get desperate, one must have those options available. 🙂

Angela Wright said:Just for comparison, a Pap smear, an ultrasound, and swabs will run you about $300 out-of-pocket

I actually paid for all of that through my own gynecologist $167... which means twice a year comes to roughly $333... I don't require any other specialist visits (and I certainly hope I won't need them anytime soon 🙂), so paying for extra supplemental insurance just to cover two visits to the OBGYN doesn't really make sense to me $100. I absolutely adore my doctor because she is incredibly patient and professional, yet she knows how to put you at ease; her lab results and Pap smears are always ready within a week, and she actually calls me personally at home to give me the news. Her office, waiting room, and restroom are equipped similarly to what you described, and I have never had to wait more than fifteen minutes
. I have nothing against having supplemental health insurance, but if you ask me, it isn't worth signing up for if your only goal is seeing a gynecologist
.

Samuel Sullivan4 said:So, my period is about 10 days late. I haven't had any of those usual warning signs, but honestly, it’s pretty normal for me not to have them either...
I had unprotected sex on day 23 of my cycle, though he didn't finish inside. My cycle usually runs about 24 to 25 days. Any advice?

Ten days?? 😲

I would have already taken eight different tests by now... and let's move this over to the combined pregnancy test discussion thread, shall we? It will be quite the saga for the travelers there.. 😉

Joshua Clark said:thanks 👍

Does this need translating? 😬

To put it simply: if we are talking about implantation bleeding, a pregnancy test would show a positive result because there would be enough hCG present... Based on what I am reading here, what you are experiencing seems a bit too heavy to be mere implantation, especially since they describe it as a pinkish, mucus-like discharge mixed with normal spotting...
If I were in your shoes, I would just go out and buy a test to ease my own mind. Whatever one reads online, I always tend to view it with a certain degree of skepticism, as many of these symptoms are quite subjective and vary from person to person, don't you think?

http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articl...tion-bleeding/

I would be more than happy to provide you with a summary of the essential points, should you find navigating the nuances of the English language to be somewhat challenging. 😘