SIZE: Girl is hovering right around the 2 lb. mark and is measuring around 15 inches. According to baby center, she is looking like a head of cauliflower (yuck, cauliflower that is, not the baby).
YAYS: Hello last week of the 2nd trimester! While I understand that the 3rd trimester may bring a whole new set of pregnancies related yuckies, it also definitely represents the approaching finish line.
NAYS: To be it delicately, I miss pooing on a regular basis.
Happenings for the week: So I came to a realization this week and it's one of those things that you just aren't supposed to say. But I'm going to say it- I don't love being pregnant. Let me be clear- I love my daughter, I am thrilled to become a parent. I am grateful that I have the ability to be pregnant when so many women struggle with infertility. I am grateful that my pregnancy has been relatively normal and fairly easy. But I just don't love it.
There are all the physical symptoms, which play a part. I don't glow, I have acne, and I feel huge. I am constipated and my belly itches. I am exhausted (no 2nd trimester energy surge for me). But really, all those things are minor. They are just physical things that I can deal with.
The real problem is the emotional toll. I like to push myself, to push my body. And that is just not a reality while pregnant. I haven't been able to run since January and I miss it. I've worked hard over the last year to loose the wedding related happy weight and it is hard to see the number on the scale go up (even though I know that my weight gain is still in the healthy, normal range). I miss having a glass of wine when we are out with friends. I miss having enough energy to want to go out with friends. But mostly, I miss feeling strong and independent (wording by babycenter). I can easily relate to all the things that women have posted in this section of the 12 things you miss while being pregnant.
I hate to sound like Debbie Downer because there are awesome things about being pregnant (I mean really, I am growing a PERSON and all). But I have also noticed that since I have started to saying to other women that I don't love being pregnant, so many have said back to me "I didn't either, but I felt like I couldn't say that." So here's to all the women who are excited for the things to come, who are trying desperately to stay positive and not fall apart every other second, and who just don't love being pregnant.
I didn't love being pregnant, either. It was so hard to scale back on physical activity, especially when working an active job. I had a hard time asking for help, but I needed it daily to get things done. I tried to view it as good preparation for all the other (totally worth it) sacrifices of motherhood. But I will say, now that pregnancy is over, I do kind of miss it. Maybe that's the hormones talking, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a pregnant lady, but I live with one and she doesn't love it either. We're both really excited about the baby, but the daily body aches, mood swings, cravings v. aversions, and tiredness make it really hard to enjoy anything except the anticipation of the next ultrasound, the next stage, and the big day itself. From my perspective I don't think there's anything wrong with not loving every moment because, like you said, you're growing a person and that's a long and difficult process.
ReplyDeleteEmily- I didn't realize Leigh was pregnant! Congratulations- y'all will be amazing parents.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you both for your support. The more I say I don't like being pregnant, the more I hear other women saying back "me either." I think there is something freeing and powerful about acknowledging that pregnancy is not the best time of our life, that is does not make us more or less feminine, and that whatever experience we have is valid and should be recognized as such.