What has pregnancy taught you?

JoMunson

I know we've had a few "what will you miss?" threads, but I wanted to do something slightly different. 
I feel like pregnancy is such a long experience it really changed my outlook on a lot of things. First, it changed how I feel about my body. Even though I've always been naturally thin I also always tended towards making disparaging comments about my body or thinking I could be better. What could be better than making an entire person? I have so much respect for my body and what it can do!
Second, pregnancy changed how I feel about my money. As someone one who grew up not very wealthy and now is solidly middle class, I have a hard time NOT spending money. Now it feels like every cent I spend on myself is money I'm taking away from my kid. I even got a huge kick out of stocking his entire wardrobe from 0-9 months from goodwill or freebies from friends. 
I know this is just the start of the changes in my life to come from becoming a mama and I'm already so grateful! What has pregnancy taught you about yourself, your life, your SO, anything! 

and_peggy

*Trigger warning*

Last May I had a m/c, and it was obviously devastating. I had so many things planned out in my mind and just envisioned what life would be like with my little baby. I was mad at the world. In a very weird way, it's been a blessing in disguise because I've truly been able to enjoy this pregnancy in a way I don't know that I would have prior to the m/c. This pregnancy has taught me not to worry about all the details and it's okay if you don't have a plan. It's actually really liberating to be able to figure things out as I go, instead of getting upset that my initial plan isn't going to work out. And it's been a positive thing in my marriage because we enjoyed the experience together and I wasn't so focused on tracking everything. Also, I've always been a pretty free thinker and typically don't have any problem with opinions but my goodness, has it been annoying to get all the unsolicited advice. I've learned to be more confident in what my husband and I decide is best and it's okay to not answer to anyone. We both believe there are a lot of decisions we aren't going to make until we know what our daughter is like and what works for her and our family.

Charla1224

Pregnancy has taught me that I don't control shit. 
I haven't had the easiest 10 months. I struggled with HG in the beginning and from there I felt like my body became a machine. It's purpose was to create and care for another human. My favorite foods, drinks, workouts... They all became dependent upon if my body was in the mood on any given day. In some ways it's been really healthy for me to give up control and in other ways I miss those little parts of myself.
Related. I also learned that I'm no super woman. I need help sometimes and I deserve it.  

kitandcat

I've really learned a lot about strength. I've had a really tough time physically... I feel like I've got every physical symptom to the 10th degree and even though I've complained and had my moments, I can't believe that I have been able to get myself out of bed and get to work everyday, and just keep going with a *mostly* positive attitude :-)  it's also amazing to balance everything we have emotionally going on. We are so strong!!! 

Pregnancy has also taught me not to take my body for granted. I can't wait to get to the gym and get back at it!! I can't wait to eat cold turkey sandwiches!! I can't wait to sleep on my stomach! And drink beer! The other day I was struggling to get off the couch and DH said, "You won't ever think about getting off the couch in the same way" - so true!! I can't wait to be thankful and grateful for all the positive physical changes I will experience when I'm not pregnant!!  

rlworzalla

I think the biggest thing I have learned is just how valuable my relationship with DH is.  Initially after finding out we were expecting we went through some serious changes that rattled our relationship, at times to the point of discussion of divorce.  We have learned to communicate better, to see the other person's point of view, and to show each other love when it isn't "convenient".  We still have our rough days, but as we have progressed towards the EDD, it has been more about our relationship together transitioning into a family and the changes we have to look forward to.

I have also learned to accept change.  I'm pretty much all belly, and worried that when I lose the belly that it will turn into a muddled mess of wrinkles, but it's out of my hands.  I have stretch marks on my back and thighs and breasts - and nothing I do will take them away.  But they are a part of a blessed journey that have been taking, and though I know there will be days where I will break down crying about them, frustrated that they are there, I hope to be able to look back on the days when I looked in the mirror and said "I'm beautiful no matter what". 

NinnyJean

Before being pregnant I've always had issues with body image as I've always been a little on the bigger side but being pregnant has made me love my body. It's taught me that it has such a bigger purpose than being skinny and needing to be bikini ready. Seeing just how much my body is capable of has really made me realize that even if I'm never the size I want to be, I was able to carry a baby and nothing compares to that! 

lionstigersbears

I guess this pregnancy has been teaching me that everything is a phase. It's something I've told myself since becoming a mom the first time around, but growing a human while raising another has been a whole new challenge. When I get wrapped up in the details, overwhelmed, or really anxious about how the hell I'm going to do this (especially now that DS stopped sleeping well...) I'm trying to really internalize what I've learned -- it's all a phase and we will all be okay!

SunnySurprise

Pregnancy has taught me never to get pregnant again  

In all seriousness though, with this being my first, I went into it with many preconceived ideas about what a pregnancy should be like. I believed that I would have this great bond with my unborn child as I rejoyce in feeling the little kicks. Yeah, didn't happen. Which made me feel very guilty on top of feeling generally crappy both physically and emotionally most of the time. In retrospect it was unneccessary guilt; the second DD was in my arms for the first time, this magical bond that I'd been missing throughout pregnancy was suddenly there and greater than I could've imagined. I learned that just because you experience pregnancy differently than you expected, doesn't mean anything is wrong with it. Don't pressure yourself into having the perfect experience.  

I also learned that in those nine months you are faced with many significant choices for the future of your child's and your well-being. These choices aren't always easy and you will get judged for some of them no matter what you end up deciding. Sometimes you just have to let criticism go. What is right for somebody else might not be right for you. And on that same thought, I learned not to be judgmental of other people either. As long as nobody is endangering anybody, pregnancy has really given me a "live and let live" attitude. 

Along those lines, I've been taught that it's okay to keep a pregnancy low-key and disappoint people who wanted to make a big production out of it. For a multitude of reasons, I didn't really feel like advertising mine. At first I felt pressured into sharing something that I would've much rather kept private, until I decided that I don't owe anybody details and I'd be much happier enjoying the few tidbits with them I felt like openly sharing. 

Last but not least: in order to be fully capable of taking care of somebody else, you also have to take care of yourself. 

Dasha420

 I learned that I could feel stable and secure. I've learned not to worry about what other people think but to be happy with myself and my child. 

KyleeWaller

Pregnancy has taught me a lot about how I spend my time. Before I conceived, I often spent my time outside of work unproductive (scrolling on my phone and computer) and now, the just the thought of that makes me itch. I wake up earlier, have become a more dedicated housekeeper and, most importantly, have had so much more time to dedicate to my relationships and personal projects. I still use my computer for about 20-30 minutes a day, but I could do without (and will, once LO is here)!

Throughout this pregnancy, I have also learned that people will think what they're going to think about my family, and that's okay. I used to get caught up in whatever comment an in-law or family friend made about the way my husband and I chose to do things, but now I just let it roll of my shoulders. 

mrstmoose

That you should always expect the unexpected. Pregnancy hardly ever goes how you envision it going. 

jenashawn

There are many things I could type here, but the one big thing is how truly loving and amazing my husband is. It might just be all the pregnancy hormones talking, but every day I look at him and think how truly blessed I am to have him by my side. It's going to be so awesome raising this little guy with him.

amberraysofdawn

Pregnancy has taught me how to have better self-esteem/control over my own mind (I can really be my own worst enemy sometimes.)

I used to have these really horrible intrusive thoughts - mostly memories of myself doing/saying something stupid or that I regretted - and I'd linger over them and agonize about how I could have done better and hating/berating myself for not doing so. And then sometime after the first ultrasound, when I realized that this thing was real, I remember thinking long and hard about the kind of mom I want to be, and the kind of example I wanted to set for my future child. After that I started to actively make an effort to change my way of thinking - if a certain song on the radio reminded me of something, I'd change it immediately instead of dwelling, for example. Anytime I found myself thinking a certain way, I'd try to change my mental subject to LO, or sometimes to the writing project I've been working (there's nothing like distracting yourself with a plot hole that needs resolving). 

Like any habit, it's been tough to break, and I still catch myself thinking negatively every once in awhile. But it's a lot less as often as before, and I'm a lot better off and happier for it. I hope it stays this way after LO is here.

BabyL52716

First and foremost pregnancy has shown be how much I appreciate my DH. I have a sister that is also pregnant and her DH does nothing for her.  He is lazy and leaves my sister to do all the cleaning/shopping/and caring for her other two children 3 and 2. When I am to the point were I could cry from exhaustion he will work come home and do dinner.laundry.dishes and still offer me a back or foot rub. He is truely amazing!

It has also taught me how lucky I was to be able to work out and really push myself. I am excited to work out again without the thougt of pushing myself too much and harming my baby.

I miss being able to just lay flat on my back!