Lara Carpenter-Beck was thrilled to be pregnant with her first child. She admits she had no idea what to expect, but she was ready to embrace whatever pregnancy brought her way.

But after just 12 weeks, her belly had become so enormous that people began asking if she was close to her due date.

Despite the unusual growth of her bump and the discomfort she felt, she says it definitely didn’t put her off having any more children. “It’s all worth it to have a healthy baby,” she says.

Can you relate to Lara’s experience? Read on to see her pregnancy photos, and don’t forget to share the story and tell us your experiences in the comments!

During her pregnancy, Lara gained just over 88 pounds and was forced to buy clothes five dress sizes bigger than her usual size.

Two months before the birth, her unborn child weighed nearly 6 pounds. Her bump grew so big that the mom thought she was going to be crushed by the weight if she lay down.

“At just 12 weeks people were asking me when I was due – I was that big,” she tells The Daily Mail.

Lara Carpenter-Beck / Instagram

Lara had trouble sleeping because her bump was so incredibly big.

“Even sleeping was a problem and my bump was so big I couldn’t lie on my front, and when I lay on my back I felt like I was being crushed under the weight,” she tells The Daily Mail.

Caused by diabetes

Lara has type 1 diabetes (which isn’t caused by weight). Although she knew this diagnosis meant she was prone to gaining more weight during pregnancy, she was still shocked over how big her belly grew.

Lara Carpenter-Beck / Instagram

Despite the unusual weight gain, Lara managed to return to her normal weight just 12 months after the birth, thanks to a special diet.

“I couldn’t believe how big I became, but it hasn’t put me off having another one. It’s all worth it to have a healthy baby,” she says.

And sure enough, two years later she was pregnant again.

Lara Carpenter-Beck / Facebook

Today, family of four is healthy and happy.

Pregnancy is most definitely full of suprises for every woman. How was your experience? Can you relate to Lara’s story?

Lara Carpenter-Beck / Facebook

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