Sexy and Pregnant?

Monday night, I shimmied my way into a James Perse dress. It's a turtleneck style that's shirred on the sides and snug all over. And it's not a maternity dress. It just happens to be made of a stretchy jersey that expanded to fit my massive tummy.
When I got to the women's meeting I was attending, I was greeted by several old friends who raved about how great I looked so late in my pregnancy (I have 5 weeks left). Throughout this pregnancy and the last, everyone has commented that I look like I have a basketball stuffed in my dress, and not like I'm really pregnant. Of course I found these compliments really flattering, but I didn't really understand them, because I couldn't look at myself objectively. I just seem myself as waddling around with this huge tummy. And then my cousin Anne shed a little light on the subject. She said: "I don't know whether I would have the guts to wear something like that when I'm pregnant, because it shows everything. I think that's why people are so amazed by the way you look. They don't expect to see a pregnant woman dressed like that. They are usually wearing baggy things that hide their tummies." And then a light went off for me. I'm not remotely embarassed to be pregnant. I am proud of it, and I have been flaunting my baby bump. I don't wear snug black dresses every day, but I don't hesitate to when the occasion calls for it. And I do think it surprises people.
There's a lesson in this for other pregnant women, or even women who are struggling with weight issues: More fabric just means more of you. Voluminous styles don't make you look thinner. They create the appearance of more bulk. Slim-fitting styles (provided they are not too tight) create the appearance of a more slender body. And when you flaunt what you have, it will always surprise people.