Today I am exactly 30 weeks pregnant. This is my first pregnancy, and it has been both an amazing and interesting experience. There is something about pregnancy that I noticed brings out a type of longing in other women, specifically mothers, not just to touch your belly, but to share stories and bits of advice from their own experiences. I have heard from so many women how they “loved being pregnant.” I’ve been told the many difficult stories people have experienced during their pregnancies, birth and after. Frequently I hear when I say I am looking forward to actually having my child “just wait” or “enjoy it while you can.”
Well, I don’t love being pregnant. For me, it is a means to a beautiful ending. I genuinely enjoy feeling my baby move (I opted to keep the sex a surprise) and find it very reassuring. I do not enjoy the hip pain and leg cramps I experience at night that wake me or feeling stretched and uncomfortable. Yet that really has been the worst of it. The initial fatigue I experienced that I just couldn’t even begin to explain subsided after a few weeks. I wasn’t overly sick in the beginning although brushing my teeth for some reason induced an unpleasant gag reflux. My health is good, my fibroids in sufficient check, and I passed the 3 hour gestational diabetes test after an initial high score. Despite the fair-weather experience, I am really just looking forward to meeting my newborn infant and motherhood as a whole. I know it will be difficult, I know I am going to be exhausted; I’m okay with that. At least I will be waking up to care for my baby versus because my hips ache.
So today I am reaching out to ask for some positive and practical advice from all the moms out there. Tell me about your joys in the first weeks and months of having your first born. Share your challenges and how you overcame them. Help me to embrace my soon to be future with your experiences and words of wisdom, while I wait for my soon-to-be bundle of JOY. After all, there is a reason we call babies just that!
I have been through this 6 times. I never did enjoy being pregnant. But I looked foward to the little one every time!!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing is right after that final push and they lay the baby in my arms! It's tough going through labor.....but SO WORTH it when you see that little one, and feel them close. They never cried once they were laid in my arms, even tho they might have been crying when they "arrived".
Challenges with my first born were not many. One was with the baby getting "colic" at about 4 weeks old. She would cry for 2 hours each night....between midnight and 2 am. Nothing consoled her. That was hard, but I just kept singing to her and rocking with her. Patiently waiting til she was done throwing her fit!
It was so nice tho. Just she and I all day. I rested when she slept. Took naps with her.
I wish you and baby the best. I kept the gender of all of mine a surprise too. :) We have three boys and three girls. You are welcome to e-mail me if you have any questions. uhmewzing1@yahoo.com
Christie
I wish you the very best! Remember to laugh at all the funny things that you, the baby and others do at this time. Trust your instincts and remember that you are uniquely gift to be this baby's mom! Rest when you can and let things go a bit, this is only a season. We have four kids, three birth children and one adopted. So relax and enjoy this time it is a short season, but then they all are.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed being pregnant, it took us 11 years to have a child. Enjoy every single second of your baby. The smell of their breath as they are sleeping is intoxicating. My mother use to tell me when a baby smiles while they are sleeping, it means the angels are talkiing to them. The first time they reach for you, smile when you walk into the room, the first time you catch them standing in the crib and the belly laughs. It is the single most frightening thing I ever experienced and yet the most joyful, wonderful thing in the world. Your heart will be broken a million times over the next few years, but they don't need to know that. Love this child with everything you have, listen to them when they speak, make them feel important, punish them when necessary and you will be amazed what God can do with such a tiny tiny person. Congratulations on the gift you are about to receive!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I did love being pregnant until that last week... then I just wanted that baby OUT! One bit of advice that I didn't get... if you breast feed you have to eat bland food or your baby will cry cry cry! My daughter was 5 days old and I had a piece of pizza... oh the next day we both cried all day. Also pick up some gasX for infants... it helped us a lot. More advice... sleep when you can! The housework can wait and you need your rest!
ReplyDeleteI have 4 kids and never enjoyed being pregnant. I hated labor. It was so painful and harsh. But, when they put that baby in your hands it will all melt away and you will be consumed with this new kind of love that only comes from having a child in your arms. Hope that helps. :)
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing I can say that would be more wise & wonderful than what Bonnie (bountyofbeads) just said. Take every word to heart ...
ReplyDeleteI have two daughters, and didn´t enjoyed be pregnant. I haven´t a good english to write a lot about that, but I want to say you a suggestion that was very useful for me: bodies (underwear for baby, hope they are named there in this way) and night suits OPEN AT FRONT, really you could understad this later...
ReplyDeleteAnd really don´t understad how you could wait to know the sex, I bought lot of pink clothes before the first daughter arrives... I couldn´t resist.
Congratulations! You don't have much longer to wait. My best advice after going through it twice would be to accept all of the help that is offered once the baby comes.
ReplyDeleteIf a relative wants to stay and help for a while - let them. It may mean a few extra hours fo sleep. People may want to bring you meals. Bring it on!
And by all means, if you don't feel up to having visitors, tell them so. They can see the baby at another time.
Enjoy your new bundle of joy, but know that any help you get will only make things easier.
I am a mother of two and really didn't mind being pregnant. You will soon understand what people mean when they say babies are a gift from God and being a family will flip your world upside down in such tremendous and positive ways! My advice...take some time to enjoy your HUSBAND before the baby arrives. You two need some time to just enjoy be married before your little bundle arrives. Get dressed up, feel pretty, sexy and loved and go on a fabulous date night before you deliver. It will do you both a world of good! Take lots of pics b/c you will not fully remember what they look like in infancy! My daughter is 8 I can hardly remember her daily like as an infant now...just the big milestones. ENJOY!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I would love to give you advice and helps....but I've never been pregnant. I'm still a newly-wed...only married 17 months!
ReplyDeleteSavor every up, every down and every moment in between, they grow up way to fast.
ReplyDeleteI love reading all of your great advice and encouragement! One side effect of pregnancy is that I tear up VERY easy, and am getting misty as I read. I will share your thoughts with my hubby and look forward to reading more! Thanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any children, but I am looking forward to it! Congratulations on your new child!
ReplyDeleteLeah, my youngest is almost 3 and I still tear up at everything! I thought that would ago away but it doesnt (at least for me).
ReplyDeleteI have 2 that are 15 mos apart. Everyone here has pretty much nailed it. My advice is do whats right for you and your family. Dont compare to other moms and other babies. And you dont have to take every piece of advice thats dished out ;)
I have two kids but it's been so long ago. I love being pregnant and I had natural birth both times and I was under 100 pounds. I am sharing that I exercised almost right up the the time and labour with both and that I believe made my labour so easy. Each woman is so different so just take it one day at a time,, keep positive, eat right, exercise and I know everything will be perfect. Good luck girlie!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I smiled the entire way through your post. I have 3 boys. The oldest is 16!!! Wow! All I can tell you is love them to pieces because the time disappears very fast!! After delivering my first, around dinnertime, about 1 week overdue, I couldn't sleep that night at all! I was flooded with emotion that just overwhelmed me with joy......I"m a mom! WOW! Even now, all these years, later that is one of the first things I think of when I hear of someone close to the arrival of their baby!
ReplyDeleteI wish you every happiness with your new precious one on the way!
Carol from Carol's Jewelry Orchard
I'm happy for you, even with the pain. We have 3 furry cat children.
ReplyDeleteWish I could give some advice, but since I am still unmarried, obviously I cannot. ;D I wish you many blessings at the birth and always!
ReplyDeleteWish I could comment. Congratulations though!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! sorry I can't give you any advice...all my kids have four legs, fins or scales. lol
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your pregnancy...I've had some rough pregnancies that didn't end as I'd like them too, but the beautiful children I have, I treasure every day! They truely are a blessing from God!
ReplyDeleteThe first few weeks you'll probably want to nap when he/she naps. Interact with him/her, enjoy every moment. Take your baby where ever you can as they are only small once! (I try not to use babysitters if I don't have too)
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or convo any time!
Congratulations on your little bundle of joy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, enjoy every minute of being a mother!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post!! I am not a mom, never been pregnant but my sister just had her 1st baby in November. And I can relate to what you wrote because everyone wanted to share the negatives. Almost like these badges of honor they had to share to prove they endured more.
ReplyDeleteMy sister was so frustrated by it all, she just wanted to try to enjoy it and could not wait to have her baby Olivia. Olivia is 4 months old now and adorable! She is rolling over and getting her knees under her... ready to crawl I think SOON. Her smile just lights up a room.
I am helping babysit for her 10 hours a day, Monday-Friday while my sister goes back to work. And I could be so exhausted and not want to face the drive to her place, and then Olivia cracks the most wonderful smile and it is all worth it :)
I can't wait for you to see your baby too! And to enjoy all the little things they do. I hope you will update your blog when you have your new baby :))
All I can say is, take some pictures.
ReplyDeletePregnancy may not be bliss - but trust me, you'll like having the pictures of your fabulously extended mid section. :)
Leah, I had a wonderful pregnancy...never sick a day, did everything I usually did and only gained 17 pounds, my son only weighed 5lbs 2.5 ounces but was very healthy but I am a wimp and hated the pain....I still remember it 30 years later but would never give a single minute of it up!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say thank you again to EVERYONE for all you kind words and for sharing your heartfelt wishes and thoughts with me. My husband was equally impressed. I would have liked to respond to each and every one of you individually. Thank you so much for all you have shared with me! It has touched and warmed my heart....and my round belly.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!!! I have one daughter who will be 31 in 12 days. It was a long time ago to remember details, but I did not mind it just did not like that morning sickness. You'll forget all as soon as you see your baby. Congrats and have an easy delivery!
ReplyDeleteWish I could give you some advice, but I'll be looking to you for advice instead :) Good luck and congrats on your 1st pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteAwwww...many congrats! My step-daughter is at week 22. We're all excited for her and her husband!
ReplyDeleteAwww I've never had a baby. I am very excited for you, though!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I wish I had experience to share but I have no children. From seeing friends who are wonderful moms the best advice I can give it all through your childs life be sure to make time to have fun, be silly and laugh together!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That's amazing! Though I have never been pregnant so I can't give you any stories. But I wish you all the luck in the world. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I was coming by to see my "shout out" post,I read some of your blog posts. I felt happy just knowing that you are going to experience the joy of motherhood! I have given birth to 5 kids and for me being pregnant was like Christmas Eve for 9 months... with the anticipation of the best gift I've ever received. My advice to you is, hold your sweet bundle as much as you want. To me, there is no such thing as "spoiling a baby". I snuggled, held & loved on my 5th (and last) baby as much as I could get away with, and spoiled is not a word that would fit him at all. Rascal maybe...but spoiled? No. Best wishes for your wonderful, joyful journey through motherhood.
ReplyDeletexo