I swore I'd never be one of those women that complained about being pregnant or the related side effects. I was never going to use being pregnant as an excuse to not do what I would normally do (other than things that are unsafe).
I'm now one of those women and it upsets me. I'm 29 and I've wanted to have a baby for as long as I can remember. I'd been trying with my first husband and found out we couldn't have children (a blessing in disguise), so now I'm absolutely ecstatic that my second husband and I are expecting. So I swore to myself I'd never complain because there are women out there that would give up their arms and legs to be in my shoes. I used to be one of them.
Lately I've been moving so slow, I've been so tired (throught the whole pregnancy, and now it hurts to do anything but just lay on my side. The pain while walking is particularly discouraging. Last night, by the time I sat on the couch I was actually crying. I only do that when I'm just so tired I can't cope with whatever is going on (which at the time was pain). I doubt that what I'm feeling is anything compared to labor because the pain is tolerable when I'm rested. I think it's just the persistence of it that gets me down and knowing that I still have about 8 weeks left.
Has anyone else been dealing with this (particularly the guilt for complaining/not being able to do what you used to do)?
Re: Tired and pained...anyone else?
I've been pretty good about not complaining to anyone but my husband. But, I still feel super guilty about complaining to him. I mean he has to put up with me every day as it is. The truth is though that pregnancy is hard on your body (even if we are built for it) and some people handle it better than others. My Momma had 5 of us and she said each time it was different. It was a hard pregnancy with me, but two of my brother's were super easy. So, I wouldn't feel too guilty. Just take care of yourself and I don't think there is anything wrong with using the pregnancy card every once in a while. Give yourself a break.
Make a pregnancy ticker
While a part of me thinks i should censor my complaints at the risk of seeming ungrateful for this amazing gift of carrying life, I remind myself of this:
As grateful as we are for the babies in our bellies, PREGNANCY IS HARD on the body. Even when you're having an "easy" pregnancy, it's still hard. Things hurt, or make us feel sick, etc. A little complaint every now and then, in appropriate company, is fine. I keep it to myself mostly when in the presence of someone I know is having trouble with/unable to conceive. I remind myself that it took a while for us to conceive, and there were times when I prayed for the awful nausea that might mean I was finally pregnant. But with my spouse, or close girlfriends who have already been through pregnancy, I let it out. You have to.