Hey mamas,
We're working on a piece now about how to deal when you feel like you're the only non-glowing pregnant lady in the room, why you might be feeling this way to begin with, and why, yes, it's all totally normal. But we wanted to come to you first and see what you had to say on the topic, before we put our questions to one of our experts.
So please weigh in on our quick poll below. And if you've got a minute, share some thoughts/feelings/etc about what exactly it is you're not digging about pregnancy so far -- and why. You can also email me directly at kstanford@theknot.com if you'd rather not post here.
TIA!
Kaitlin
Re: Poll: Do you actually like being pregnant?
I love being pregnant. I definitely can't wait for our little girl to arrive, but, I wouldn't mind being pregnant for longer. My pregnancy has definitely had some difficult times, but, none of it compares to the kicks, the ultrasound views, etc....I love talking about her, I love my growing belly, I love all of it.
I can see how some women hate being pregnant and can't wait for it to end, I'm just one of the lucky ones who's had it relatively easy so far.
Katy and Brett ~ Runaway Bay, Jamaica ~ October 4, 2008
I'm going to be completly honest, pregnancy SUCKS for me. I am not blessed with carrying babies well. I will also say that after 2 losses and struggling to get pregnant, I love both of my children more than life itself. Just because you don't LOVE being pregnant, doesn't mean you don't love your children.
With all 4 of my pregnancies, I suffered from hyperemesis until around the 16-20 week mark. Not to mention, living in constant fear of any spotting, cramps, twinges or aches. It's the life I live as a PgALer. I also suffer from debilitating (sp) migraines that the strongest (safest) narcotics can't touch. I live with going to the labs every two weeks for extensive blood tests for different things. (Then comes the regular pregnancy stuff.) Not being able to get comfortable to sleep a full 4 hours a night makes me look like a walking zombie.
So, I think, if someone ever made a comment about me not having that "glow" I'd have to punch them...hard. Pregnancy isn't all puppies and rainbows for me. Sure I'm excited, just don't be suprised when you get a death scowl from me in the store instead of the "I'm so happy I could burst" look.
Eh. Puking sucks, being tired sucks, pelvic rest sucks. That being said, I love being pregnant w/ a healthy baby, and I'll take whatever comes along with it if it means this LO is coming home with us in April.
Looking around at my pregnant friends I can say I have had a pretty easy pregnancy. Yes I have some symptoms that suck but I would say I have had it pretty easy when I hear other peoples symptoms. Even in being this blessed I can say I hate being pregnant. I get so tired of listening to my BF and mom talk about how much they loved being pregnant (if Im going to puke its while they are gushing on this point). Im tired, sore, gassy, large and overall feel like hell. On top of it all maternityt pants suck.
Like a lot of new mommies out there...I definitely drank from the kool-aid where being pregnant was going to be awesome.
The 1st trimester was rough. I didn't throw up a lot, but the nausea kicked in around 3pm. I was tired ALL THE TIME and when I got sick...i just wanted to die. I didn't want to take any sick days because i was saving it for maternity leave.
Even though people say I look so cute with a pregnant belly, I am just horrified and how much my body has expanded. I have back fat that is not at all attractive. My legs are huge now and I can't wear my nice pumps anymore. My coworker yelled at me because she doesn't want to hear me call myself a fatty anymore. Well tough woman! This is my first and I am not used to this entire body transformation.....and all the cellulite.
I miss running. I was a marathoner and still ran a half marathon up until 3 1/2. I miss running so hard and long that you get that awesome runner's high.
I do have energy now and am able to hit the gym 5 days a week. However, what the pregancy Gods taketh....they giveth. So yeah..the tailbone pain, sciatica, lack of breath when I have to bend over...and the night sweats.
So last week, I was in TJ Maxx and this cashier that was probably 18 said that she was so jealous that I was pregnant. She wanted to be pregnant so bad because it would be so much fun. I was like...WHAT? Poor naive girl.
I think for me it's the way that I look at my body that makes me enjoy pregnancy more. There is SO much pressure on women to be thin and perfect, and I feel that weight has been lifted for me in a way. My body is doing exactly what nature designed it to do and while I am not taking the "eat everything in sight" approach I am embracing my body as it is today.
I'm just hitting second trimester, so I'm hoping I'll feel better soon, but first trimester was tougher than I imagined, like many have said above. I hardly get sick and it's been hard to deal with feeling crappy for weeks on end (going on 7 weeks for me now, though it does seem to be letting up a bit now). I have only thrown up once, but in general, as much as I enjoy the act of eating, food disagrees with me and for weeks caused me major indigestion and headaches.
I'd though I'd just feel tired all the time, not sick.
But, if this is what it takes to bring a healthy baby into the world, I can handle it.
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!
I think that when you are experiencing pregnancy for the first time the road can be a little rocky to say the least. I had awful morning sickness in my first tri, but now that I'm in my second tri I feel fantastic! The biggest challenge, I feel, is the transition new moms make. Before becoming pregnant I was always on the social scene; going out, partying, doing crazy (probably even irresponsible) things...but now that I'm going to be a mom, my entire outlook on life has changed. I see things and make decisions based on a whole other level because from here on out my decision not only affect me, but they effect my baby.
It took us a long time to get here and a lot of heartache so I feel guilty on the days that I don't love it. I have had horrible sickness-morning noon and night for the first few months and then randomly throwing up every week or so since then. I am tired all the time and achey, I struggle to feel pretty or look cute in my clothes and my complexion has gone haywire again but seeing our baby girl on that U/S screen made all of that worth every second.
I love feeling her kick and showing my husband my belly moving from the outside, I love the smile it puts on his face and I love knowing that we have created this beautiful life together.
I was hoping for all sunshine and rainbows and to be one of those perky pretty mom to be's that are portrayed on TV but in reality I am just happy to be me and so thankful for this blessing:)
Make a pregnancy ticker
I have had a complicated pregnancy but I enjoy it nonetheless. Getting and staying pregnant was not easy for me and so I was determined from the beginning to stay as positive as possible and try and enjoy as many aspects of it as I could. No it's not always easy and there are parts of it that I would trade but what I would never trade is this feeling that I am doing something amazing that I never thought I would be capable of. In fact, as I get closer to my due date I am slightly sad that I might miss this feeling of having my baby all to myself and feeling that deep connection but I look forward to the connection I will be gaining.
I LOVE BEING PREGNANT.
And yes, my ribs are killing me, I'm up all night tossing and turning, I am completely exhausted after working full time as a pre-school teacher hauling one-year-olds around every day, but nonetheless I absolutely love being pregnant!