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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. I am a 25 year old mother of a 1 year old. I recently found out that I am pregnant with my second child. I am only about 11 weeks and already I am wearing clothes that I wore in my last pregnancy. Is the fact that this is my second child have anything to do with the reason why my waist is expanding so fast? (I have had an ultrasound and it is a single fetus.)

A. Yes. With your first baby, it can take a while for you to show, as your abdominal muscles have a lot of tone. With subsequent babies, your abdominal muscles usually have less tone, so they present less resistance to your growing uterus and your waist expands faster. This is why so many practitioners recommend abdominal exercises after the birth of your baby---to help your abdominal muscles regain their strength.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.