The belly takes a stand

I went to the doctor today, so actually got dressed. I was so uncomfortable the whole time, wearing the only pair of pants that still (I thought) fit me. But they were so tight on my belly I was having trouble breathing and my belly ached extra much. I couldn't wait to get home and take them off! And when I did I realized...it wasn't the pants. My belly was telling me in no uncertain terms, I cannot stretch any farther. This is it, baby. 

Why do I feel so ponderous? (Dean keeps calling me ponderous. I've started correcting him: "You mean majestic.") Just how different is the twins belly than the regular belly? I looked up typical weight gain for a singleton pregnancy:

Blood    3 pounds
Breasts    2 pounds
Womb    2 pounds
Baby    7.5 pounds
Placenta    1.5 pounds
Amniotic fluid    2 pounds
Fat, protein & other nutrients    7 pounds
Retained water    4 pounds

With two babies, two placentas, and twice as much amniotic fluid, I'm carrying the equivalent of 14.5 pounds of baby. And if I make it 2 more weeks (fingers crossed!) that will grow, perhaps, to 16.5 pounds of baby. That's a lot of cargo. How I've pitied women who carry and deliver a 10 lb. baby. So I'm officially giving myself permission to pity myself. My belly is certainly pitying itself today and whining incessantly. Hopefully it'll get over it after a good (ha!) night's rest. There's really not enough pity going around for the both of us.