Have you enjoyed your pregnancy?

QOTR

I was asked this last night, and I didn't really know the answer.   Physically, I've had a pretty easy time of it.   Emotionally, I've had a rough time with the loss of my mom and my beloved pooch during the pregnancy.  The pregnancy offered some distraction and coping through those hard times, while also adding to the grief/regret of losing my mom.   I think my biggest regret is that it took me so long to get to the point where I quit feeling like something would go wrong.  And I'm still not 100% there - I still get nervous about movement.  So while it has been a magical and amazing process to go through, I wish I could have enjoyed it more.  I wonder if I had a second child, if I'd feel more confident or if it is just my nature to fret. 

So, have you enjoyed your pregnancy?   And for ST+Ms, did you relax and enjoy your subsequent pregnancies more than your first? 

momthatlifts

Good question. To be honest, not really. Wasn't what I expected it to be. I guess that's just me being naive though. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely if it means I get this awesome gift at the end. But I was and still am a moody bitch and just want to feel like myself again.

MissLadyTay

No. I vomited - often multiple times a day - until 20 weeks. Got a reprieve until 30 weeks when acid reflux and heartburn meant more random vomiting. I do not feel "cute" as a pregnant woman - I feel big and awkward. I've had to give myself shots of blood thinner twice a day every day since last summer, and my belly skin is sore and bruised as a result. And honestly, knowing how painful labor and recovery can be is making me dread it during the last few weeks. Some women have easy recoveries - maybe I'll get lucky this time but last time I wasn't one of them.

mprtrdg

So sorry to hear about all the heart break you went through recently. I feel the same as you, physically had a pretty easy pregnancy ( even with placenta previa) although I was often worrying about the baby and something going wrong. I am also a first time mom so I am not sure if it gets easier or if it is just the negative due to an over-active mind. I wish you the best Of luck for the short amount of time remaining in your pregnancy and a lifetime of happiness for you and your little one.

spacepotatoes

There's been moments that I've enjoyed and maybe one month where I felt pretty good. Other than that, it feels more like something that has to be endured. It's more of a means to an end for me, I think.

lovey1

This pregnancy has been easier than the first one. However, the past couple of weeks have been harder on me than the first time around because I think this baby is larger. I'm feeling lots of pressure and the BH contractions are more intense.

And no, I'm not one of those women that just embrace and love being pregnant. It's definitely a labor of love for me.

cnbean

Not really. I loved being pregnant the first time. It was all so new and exciting, plus I had a super easy pregnancy. This time around I'm just ready to be done. I just don't feel as good this time, its all minor things and I've still had a really easy pregnancy. But with a toddler at home I'm too busy and tired to enjoy the experience. 

EmilyGolden1

Yes and no- my life has been a soap opera the last 9 months. I had morning sickness until week 32 only to be replaced with fiery heartburn. I have been in L and D twice for a day at a time--the soap opera part is more personal life and work but I can say that I am honestly ready for this baby to arrive. I should say and be whole heartedly grateful that I have a healthy baby boy in belly and I love him so much already.

ajsweeton

I'd really like to say I've enjoyed being pregnant. I worked very hard to get pregnant and I feel like sometimes I'm ungrateful. I was lucky enough to breeze through the first trimester with no nausea and I was able to be excited about being pregnant while also being a little scared about having another loss. Second trimester was hell. I was scared to death about everything. I had a complete mental breakdown at 22w (the same gestation I lost Elliott and Ryland) and I think it changed the way I looked at the pregnancy. I pulled back and tried to be less emotionally involved after that. Hitting the third trimester brought some relief from my anxiety to realize that even if my babies were born right then they'd most likely survive. Now, I'm just miserable. I hurt absolutely everywhere, breathing is a chore and I can barely get out of bed without having to rest for 10 minutes. Getting ready to go anywhere or do anything takes hours because of the need to sit and just breathe. I'm scared to death of having a csection. I worry about hemorrhaging or something happening to me so that I'm not there for these babies. I'm scared that I won't get to see them right away because they'll have some health problem. I just feel like this whole pregnancy I've been a great ball of anxiety and now that I'm nearing the end I just have more worries about how in the world I'm going to parent 2 babies. I honestly think this will be my last pregnancy because I just don't know if I can handle the mental anguish again.

SMM1986

I'm going to say yes. Even though this pregnancy was much, much more difficult and painful then the previous two, I am in a different mental space this time. My other pregnancies were unplanned at times that were awful to be expecting such a huge, life changing thing (I was 18 when I got pregnant with DD and 21 with DS). I let myself be miserable with the downsides to pregnancy (even though they were incredibly uneventful and really didn't have much to complain about...I always found something).
This time, we planned our pregnancy and we were ready for it financially and emotionally. Also, it's my last one so I'm trying to remember that and enjoy what I can. Although that gets hard to do at the end.

Marcella05

The only enjoyable part for me is feeling my sweet baby move. Everything else... SUCKS.

amroke

Not really. But the end justifies the means, I guess.

Mimaloo

I was asked this question so many times and actually started to feel guilty about answering it because yes, I have loved [almost] every minute of this pregnancy. I wrote about it here. 

Even now, in the final two weeks when sitting too long hurts and standing too long hurts, and turning over from one side to the other in bed has gone from a 3 point turn to a 10 point turn, I really love it

cindythelou

i really loved being pregnant up until about 2 weeks ago when the aches and pains really kicked in. my groin hurts, my back hurts, i'm waddling everywhere, nothing is really comfortable to wear, and i'm sick of having the same conversations with everyone:
-due may 20
-no we don't know the sex

-i feel good (starting to become a white lie)
-yes i am excited

blah. 

before all this, i was feeling GREAT! i looked cute, felt good, had a pretty boring pregnancy and i was enjoying it. i guess overall i give pregnancy a B on a grading scale.

BKD1386

I'd have to say that I have really enjoyed pregnancy for the most part.  It's been pretty easy so far (with the exception of the heartburn and horrible acid reflux).  I didn't think I was going to be able to get pregnant... let alone 4 months after finishing chemo.  And so far he looks healthy, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and enjoying the whole experience  

ksyknelvr73

Yes and no. Like you, OP, I have had a pretty easy pregnancy and physically all has been fine and baby is healthy which is all I can really ask for. However, being a loss mom has scarred me forever and I worry from beginning to end, therefore not really being able to enjoy it as much. I was the same way with my son's pregnancy as well. Couldn't ask for a better pregnancy, but worried sick.

usernewname

At the end of the day, yes I have enjoyed it. My year has been hard in general with my job and getting settled after a move, but I like to think its separate from my pregnancy.

I was very fortunate in experiencing minimal symptoms, just mostly mobility issues (hip and back pain) and some congestion.

However, the fast that this pregnancy was uneventful, terrifies me that my next one could very well possibly be the opposite. But will I do this again, I think so. DH is set on 2 kids anyway, and I think 2 will be good for us.

LabbyLove

@QOTR‌ - I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom last year and I have missed her so much through this pregnancy. I can't imagine what you must feel like having to experience such a deep loss during pregnancy. I spent the majority of my pregnancy depressed and didn't start to enjoy it until around week 32. Now I wish I had a little more time to just enjoy the experience.

jfletcher3113

I've some issues, but nothing super serious so I've actually really enjoyed being pregnant.

That is ... up until yesterday. Haha

The baby dropped and I am so uncomfortable now that I understand why some women at the end are like, "Seriously? Get out!"

fatbarbie0226

This is an interesting question. Usually people just ask how you're feeling and you can get away with a small smile and say something like "Fine. Just ready for him to be out." But have you enjoyed your pregnancy is a little thought provoking.

With Shorty, it was 100% yes. I definitely had the pregnancy glow. Never sick, felt great the whole time, no acne, no aches and pains, loved feeling her move, loved the way I looked... just an awesome pregnancy. Loved every minute of it. I was so grateful that I was actually pregnant (tried for a year and a half) that I just reveled in it.

This little guy is different. Sick all first tri, really achy, back hurts, can't sleep, and I have a toddler to run after. I feel huge, not cute. Just a different pregnancy. But he was a surprise and it actually took me a long time to be excited about having a baby. Newborns are just so hard, I do not look forward to that stage again. I enjoy Shorty sleeping from 8:30 to 7:30 all night every night!

So at first, no, I didn't enjoy this pregnancy. It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that I am having another baby.
But now... I think I enjoy feeling him move and knowing he is safe and being taken care of inside of me. I am excited to see him, to meet him, to hold him and to kiss his squishy cheeks.
I am worried about having a 2 year old and a newborn and living so far away from any family. I am nervous about Shorty and about not having enough time for her. I'm scared about taking care of this baby. It's so hard. I worry I'm going to be zombie mom.

So if someone asked me if I enjoyed my pregnancy, I would smile and say "I've liked it just fine. Just ready for him to be out, now."

bookishnerd

This is usually how I put it when my husband asks me this: Am I happy to be pregnant? Yes. Am I enjoying being pregnant? Noooope. I feel kind of like a whiney jerk when compared to ladies who are having real medical hardships with their pregnancies but it just hasn't been an enjoyable experience for me.

ho11yday

I've enjoyed this pregnancy more than my first and overall, I enjoy being pregnant. This pregnancy has been more enjoyable due to correct expectations, not being so emotional, less pain, not being disappointed by lo's sex, knowing how to handle ILs better.

lrmrtn

I enjoyed most of the 2nd tri. I got my appetite and some energy back. It was fun to feel the baby move and I wasn't too uncomfortable. Ist tri I was too nauseous to enjoy it and now I'm always uncomfortable and tired and some health issues have come up. I still like feeling the baby move but sometimes I'm like, kid give it a rest!

ckennedy116

I loved being pregnant. I also have had a very easy and nice pregnancy. The past week I've been an emotional rollercoaster and cry at everything good and bad! I've been told I'm all belly but I feel huge and unattractive. But overall, yes I really have enjoyed my pregnancy. I love feeling my boy move around and I will miss that no matter how hard those rib kicks are.

jenb_99

cnbean said:

Not really. I loved being pregnant the first time. It was all so new and exciting, plus I had a super easy pregnancy. This time around I'm just ready to be done. I just don't feel as good this time, its all minor things and I've still had a really easy pregnancy. But with a toddler at home I'm too busy and tired to enjoy the experience. 

This is pretty much me, except that I've had some major complications in addition to an increase in minor symptoms. My first pregnancy was a breeze. It was practically a magical experience, and I absolutely loved every second of it. But this one has been a beating. I'm kind of sad about it, actually.

haylo33

Yes I have enjoyed it overall. I had a bad 2 weeks after my A/S waiting for my maternity 21 results and then was stressed after finding out I had severely swollen kidneys. But during all this, I felt great and had no idea anything was wrong. As a FTM, I was relieved to feel so good during the pregnancy because I was scared I would be miserable and never want to do it again

Helmink0804

I'm a FTM and I can honestly say that I've enjoyed my pregnancy. I've been very lucky where I haven't experienced morning sickness- that the only nausea I did experience went away as fast as it came. I've only experienced a little tiredness here and there and now the swelling is starting to show when I get really hot. I've enjoyed all the moments I get to feel and see.

I feel bad for all you ladies that have had it so rough.

QOTR

Thanks for all of the responses.  It's reassuring to know that I'm not "doing it wrong" just because I can't gush about it.   I think if asked again, I'd be prepared to say that I've enjoyed being pregnant, even if I haven't enjoyed all of my pregnancy.  

Junebug060609

Overall, yes...but there are moments of beingscared mixed in.

1st tri was terrifying (history of miscarriages, iincluding à mmc) but i was blessed both to make it thru and to have no m/s.

2nd tri was good after the à/s, but was nervewracking up to that point. Loved the movement.

3rd tri has been good aside from having GD and getting freaked out by à possible heart issue with LO that turned out fine..

Now onto facing my next fear: If DD will face the same developmental delays as DS does.

ThereBeDragons

I think it is entirely safe to say that I have not enjoyed the physical process of pregnancy. At all. I also didn't enjoy the process of getting pregnant. It is worth it a hundred times over to be sitting here feeling baby wiggle and knowing that we will most likely bring her home safe and healthy. But that doesn't mean that I enjoyed the process.

First trimester I was just depressed and so sure that this was another loss in progress. It was really hard to feel excited or even happy- just perpetually cautious. Then, second trimester it was like all the things I had expected to go wrong- actually did. Short cervix, infection scare, doctors debating the possibility of making it to viability... even if we did make it to viability- would she be disabled due to such an early birth. Were we doing what was best for her, or just selfishly wanting the baby that had been so often promised and denied. 

It hasn't been until now- midway through the third trimester that I've had any sense that everything might really be okay. And even now, I've been on bed rest so long that I'm worried that I won't be able to properly care for baby when she gets here.

I love my baby and I would go through this all again if given the chance. And I wouldn't deliver a day sooner just to end the discomforts of pregnancy. But I do not love being pregnant. I love Elisabeth and she is worth it.

FlemDance

Overall, I would say I've enjoyed being pregnant. First tri was hard as shit - I still don't know how I made it through. Pretty uneventful second tri, and other than the more recent issue of my cervix shortening, I've felt really good during the third tri. I still have 6ish weeks left so I'm sure there's still plenty of time to change my mind, though!

momo214

Can't say I'm ready to go for baby #2 right out of the gate but I'm not deterred from having a second. As a FTM and one that got pregnant easily, quickly, and without complication I know I feel grateful for what we have been blessed with. Although on the flip side we expected it to take a bit longer and maybe we're not emotionally prepared enough. We kind of just let nature take its course and if it was meant to be, we would have a baby. Now I'm still kind of in denial I'm even going to be a mom and still don't believe I'm pregnant. I feel fortunate that I have not had complications like other have and I feel good, look well, but I wish I had the strong loving "mom" feelings of adoring my baby already. I love her but still don't accept that she's real yet.

kat8805

No. I have not enjoyed this pregnancy. My mind and body are exhausted. DH has mostly been an ass, and I figured he would be more on the level this time around since we've done this before. DD1 is 3.5 going on 13, with an attitude the size of China. She has been utterly exhausting on top of the typical exhausting that growing another human being is, and then add in that DH has been a complete douche because I haven't been 100% and I could just sleep for a year. I've had back, hip, and ligament pain that takes my breath away. The heartburn has been nauseating. And the level of IDGAF that I've maintained this entire pregnancy has been slightly depressing. I'm ready to be done.

Lizmullen

I've definitely enjoyed my pregnancy. I won't go into details but physically it has been very easy and I'm grateful. Mentally it has been hard. My mom passed when I was 19 and then my estranged dad actually passed last week. I have never been one to be the center of attention so it was awkward to have a lot of the attention being pregnant brings.
Healthy pregnancy I just can't wait til she is here to actually bond with her, it's been hard for me to 'feel' a lot emotionally so that really has been the worst part with my lack of parenting examples.
This sounds like a pity party but I'm
Glad to have my husbands close knit family for all of this!

eghulse

Yes and no.  I have blessed with very easy pregnancies both times, and each was uncomfortable in different ways.  So in that way, yes, I love being pregnant.  However, the anxiety has been a challenge this time, and I feel like I'm splitting in half from the crotch, so in that respect, I'm really ready for this to be done.

Craved1

Yes! I have also gone through all of the physical ups and downs that most moms do and while working 55-60 hours a week, mostly on my feet. However, I try to keep my frame of mind in check. In the grand scheme of things I only have 9 months to enjoy this time with my LO that no one else can. It's only a small % of my life, got to enjoy it before it's gone!

awc1986

I've been pretty happy with my pregnancy. By no means has it been easy, but this board has been great for reminding me how lucky I am to not have had any complications or physical problems. My MS was pretty manageable and went at about 16 weeks. I only vomited 3 times and those times were largely self-induced (insisting on eating the wrong thing/gagging on a pill). Working through 1st tri exhaustion was hard, but I didn't have any bleeding or pain and was able to conduct a pretty normal life.
I'm struggling now in late 3rd tri, but I've finished work and can take it easy. Moving is getting hard and I don't have much energy, but baby is fine and I'd expect to feel pretty shitty at this point anyway.
Providing the birth goes well, I could probably do this again.

Emotionally it has been tough. I lost my mum 6 weeks before getting pregnant and I've done this whole thing without her. I feel a bit short changed as I always thought she'd be there. I'm an only child and don't have many other women in my life, so it's hard getting by mostly on the support of men. They've been amazing, but there's certain things they can't really discuss with you. It's been hard, but I know that mum is looking after me and @QOTR‌, I'm sure yours is looking after you too.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for you ladies who have had complications, bad MS and other difficulties. You guys are warriors and you remind me to put on my big girl pants and suck it up whenever I'm feelin sorry for myself.

andoll8

spacepotatoes said:

There's been moments that I've enjoyed and maybe one month where I felt pretty good. Other than that, it feels more like something that has to be endured. It's more of a means to an end for me, I think.

what 'Taters said. i just want Peanut in my arms.

Peaceb0ne

I've enjoyed it, for the most part, but I'm just ready for it to be over. Like others have said, it's a means to an end, for me. Gimme my baby already!

Sdufort1216

I feel as though I've been lucky to feel better then most yet I still haven't enjoyed pregnancy besides feeling him move which is amazing. I truthfully feel guilty admitting i haven't enjoyed it because the gift at the end is so worth it. I've had a very hard time with my body considering I struggled with body image and dieting my whole life and this new body doesn't help. I've gotta get over it somday though

gutsysneakers

FTM here. Overall, I've enjoyed my pregnancy. Like @mollynicole214, we got pregnant rather quickly and honestly, I wasn't expecting it to happen the first month off BC so I was more terrified than excited when I found out I was pregnant. I didn't allow myself to actually be excited until after 20 weeks - I had so much anxiety every time we went into an appointment. I had convinced myself the baby would have no heartbeat, etc. I had placenta previa from 18-28 weeks and couldn't do my normal gym routine, which for me was a huge deal. I didn't feel like myself and gym time was my "me time". Since I got the green light to go ahead and resume my normal workouts, I've felt great. I had no nausea in the first trimester - really the only symptoms I've had were congestion, mild heartburn, and recently the wonderful "lightening crotch". I'm pretty happy with the way I've gained weight and know that I'm growing a baby - which is awesomely terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. I love feeling him/her move inside me and know that I'll miss that in a few short weeks. So overall, yes, I've enjoyed being pregnant - I've loved the new curves and am so excited to meet this LO.