A Pregnancy Review

As baby's birth approaches, I wanted to put together a quick post about some of my (and Matt's) thoughts related to the last several months.

1. I had no idea how AWESOME pregnancy would be.  Seeing that positive line on the pregnancy test, feeling all of baby's little stretches and kicks, seeing her during the ultrasound, watching my belly grow (and move!), to witness the outpouring of love from our family and friends...It has been amazing.

2. I had no idea how much I'd miss stuff.  One of my favorite foods is steak, and I really prefer to eat it medium rare, so the last several months have been difficult whenever I venture to Texas Roadhouse.  I also really like carnival rides, and I had to sit one out in the fall.  It broke my heart to tell my niece that I couldn't go on the ride with her (and it was one of my favorite carnival rides, often known as the Zipper), but I knew it was for the best.  I will probably have some steak shortly after giving birth and we already have an amusement park trip planned for July, so it won't be long before I get to do some of those things I've missed for so long.

3. I had no idea how weird people would think we are.  Matt and I knew going into this that we wanted to try the Bradley method, a partner-coached method of childbirth that utilizes relaxation during labor.  We took classes, read the material, and did the exercises.  I had no idea how many people would think we are crazy and a few were downright rude.  Also, I have a low-risk pregnancy and see a midwife, and a lot of people think that's totally weird.  A few assumed that I was having a home birth or going to a birthing center, which are not things that I'm opposed to, but we'll be delivering in a hospital.  Also, I'm in a 42-week practice, meaning that I could go until 42 weeks before baby is delivered.  Matt and I are extremely determined to go into labor on our own, and I will do just about anything to avoid induction, and this has been surprising to many people.  I am blessed to still be feeling pretty awesome at 39 1/2 weeks (and still sleeping through the night), so I am in no rush to meet my little girl before she is ready.  Anyway, although Matt and I are trying to stay as natural as possible, I have been surprised by how many people have been rude or have been lacking support of our decisions for our family.


4. I had no idea that I'd hear everyone's (EVERYONE'S!) opinions.  I have heard that, when you are pregnant, you get to hear everyone's opinion about everything, but I had no idea just how true that would be.  "You're so small!" "You look like you're about to pop!" "You're huge!" "How can you be full-term?"  It's so strange how differently everyone sees me. 

5. I had no idea how annoying people would be.  I would like to apologize for anyone this may offend, for I know that comments and questions are spoken with the best of intentions.  Yet I found so many people annoying!  They would ask questions related to my pregnancy and then answer with their own stories before I could respond.  Um, please don't ask if you don't actually care.  Additionally, I heard waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more birth stories than I ever cared to hear about, often from strangers.  Our waitress last weekend was particularly graphic, and I wasn't even sitting down yet.  However, the most annoying thing is probably (well-intentioned) comments of "sleep while you can."  Hold the phone, are you telling me that having children might interfere with our sleep?  My life won't be my own anymore?  This is BRAND-NEW INFORMATION.  I had no clue.  And sooooooooo many people seem to think that's actually helpful advice.

6. I have no idea how this will go, but I'm very excited.  I'm not quite ready to meet our little one yet, but I'm so excited to see what she looks like and hold her and kiss her...And put her in all the cute little outfits in her drawers!  I'm excited to see Matt with his firstborn child and see our friends and family get to interact with our special blessing.  I know that this is going to be a challenge at times, but I also have no doubt that it will be the most wonderful and rewarding thing I ever do.