“Insensitive comments about her large belly: ‘That’s the most unusual pregnant belly I’ve ever seen.'”

A mother who faced ridicule for her “big” baby bump is standing strong against pregnancy stigma.

Eliana Rodriguez, now 29, recently welcomed her second child, Sebastian.

Despite a healthy pregnancy, Rodriguez’s larger-than-average belly drew comments like, “You look gigantic,” “Are you expecting twins?” and “Have you checked if there’s another baby in there?”

However, both Rodriguez and her unborn child were perfectly healthy.

While a large baby bump can sometimes indicate health issues, it’s often just a normal part of a woman’s body adapting to pregnancy. Rodriguez reassured everyone that she and her baby are in excellent health, saying, “I’ve always had big pregnancies; both my children were born weighing 8.3 pounds.

My 3-year-old daughter, Sofia, was 19.5 inches long at birth, while my new son was 20.5 inches.”

Although it’s easy to ignore negative comments online, Rodriguez acknowledged that people are often curious in person as well. She handles it with grace, saying, “Yes, I am big, and it’s tough.”

Rodriguez, a health and wellness entrepreneur from Las Vegas, Nevada, shared that she questioned why her belly was bigger than others.

Her doctors assured her it was normal, explaining that her shorter torso—she’s only 4’11”—was a factor.

She began showing two months into her pregnancy and was eager to share her joy, especially since she and her husband had been hoping for a second child, particularly a boy.

During her pregnancy, Rodriguez carried a lot of amniotic fluid, which cushions the baby and allows it to move.

According to the Mayo Clinic, excess amniotic fluid, known as polyhydramnios, occurs in 1% to 2% of pregnancies and is usually harmless, though it can sometimes lead to preterm labor.

Rodriguez’s doctors confirmed that while she had a lot of fluid, she did not have polyhydramnios, explaining that they monitored both the baby’s size and fluid levels carefully.

Dr. Kiarra King, an OBGYN based in Chicago, Illinois (who did not treat Rodriguez), noted that other causes of excess fluid include maternal diabetes and fetal structural anomalies.

She added that a larger belly in pregnancy isn’t always due to polyhydramnios; it could also be related to factors like fetal macrosomia, maternal obesity, or Diastasis Recti, where abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy.

Fortunately, Rodriguez didn’t experience any of these issues. She emphasized the importance of avoiding hurtful comments about pregnancy and body image, especially since such remarks can worsen prenatal or postpartum depression.

Rodriguez, who describes herself as a religious woman, expressed sympathy for those who resort to cruel words, saying, “I feel sorry for people who lack compassion.”