What Not to Say to A Pregnant Woman

Last week, I read a small article about what not to say to a pregnant woman. Naturally, I read it to see if I can relate. Sure enough, I could relate to half of the article. I would have never thought that the smallest things could get so annoying or even offensive. I guess you got to be pregnant in order to completely understand these things that drive us pregnant woman crazy.

One of the most annoying things that really bug me is when someone comments on my size. Yes, I realize I wasn’t the fittest when I got pregnant (I blame my weight gain on marriage, school, work and Texas food), but most of us in general are not in the best shape to begin with, so I don’t know why people have to bring up the weight issue. Anyway, yes, I have noticed towards the end of my second trimester, not only has my belly gotten bigger, but so has my thighs and arms. Yeah, seeing the flab is not thrilling, but what are you gonna do? I can’t do a high intense workout session every night and when your body is constantly changing, it’s hard to keep up. I have come to realize that’s just how it is and honestly, for once I am not ashamed of how I look. How could I be ashamed? I am growing a baby. I love looking at my baby bump and knowing that in almost 2 months I will be holding my baby in my arms. So if I’m okay with my body, why does everyone have to put me down about how I look? I get a lot grabs of my flab, funny jokes about my weight/size and the “don’t worry, you will lose the weight” comments. I wasn’t even worried to begin with. I know it will take time and hard work, but I am not worried. I also know that I will never be how I was…ever. I mean, how could I be? Things are getting stretched to the max and I’m 32 years old and I don’t have the elasticity of a 22 year old. 

The second annoying comment that I am asked is “should I be eating that?” My answer: “probably not, but…” No, I shouldn’t be eating cake, ice cream, candy bars, cheeseburgers, sandwiches and hot dogs. Here’s the thing about pregnancy cravings that only pregnant women who have experienced cravings will understand. When you get a craving in your head, you just have to have it and it has to be exact. I can be craving a chicken quesadilla from a specific restaurant, but if I’m taken to another Mexican restaurant and order a chicken quesadilla, it’s just not the same and the craving has not been met. At the first part of my pregnancy, I would have cravings, but I could go without. Things have changed since I hit my third trimester. Now, it’s not a question as to whether I should have the food, it’s I NEED the food and I will put up a fuss if I don’t get it. I sometimes day dream about the foods I crave too. It doesn’t help that I found out I don’t have gastric diabetes either, so now I feel like I can have the sugary foods too. That is not good I know, but it’s hard not to get the cravings when just a simple commercial about food will put a pregnant women into a food frenzy.

Another annoying comment is “should I be doing that? Again, my answer: “probably not, but…” No, I shouldn’t be lifting and pulling things out to the dumpster at work or moping the floor, but it needs to get done. Which in all honesty, I won’t be doing that again because that almost killed me, but that’s beside the point. But bending over to pick something up that isn’t heavy is something I can do, well kind of, but I get treated like I am disabled and can’t do anything. I still can do stuff, I just got to do it more strategically. There is a perk to this though. Since people know your pregnant and know that we can’t do heavy lifting and such, we get out of doing things. It’s like we can pull the damsel in distress card and get away with it. It’s nice.

Not all comments have been annoying. Some have been a bit humorous too. Like last weekend as I was leaving Walmart, the greeter who was a teen boy smiled and asked if it was a boy or girl. When I said boy, he just smiled and acted like it was the coolest thing. Also, I get a lot more smiles from men of all ages. Not sure why. Maybe it’s because I have ginormous boobs and they like what they see or they like extra curves, haha.

I am sure there are more comments and funny things to come in the next two months and I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t any after the baby is here when I’m drooping and leaking. I don’t care that my body is being transformed. People can say whatever they want, but they will never be in my shoes and understand the joy I have being a pregnant woman and knowing that soon I will be holding a sweet baby boy. 

Third Trimester Countdown

So today I entered my third trimester. I can’t believe I have 3 months to go until I give birth, yikes. Knowing that babies come when they want and a baby is considered full term at 37 weeks, I’m figuring I should have everything ready to go at the beginning of August just in case baby Jonathan wants to come at 37 weeks, which would be mid-August. So really, I have about 2 months to get everything done. We still have a lot to do!! We are still working on the nursery and up keep around the house. It seems that every weekend we are busting our hump with something at home, like the lawn, cleaning and organizing and painting.

Last week we were able to buy a few things for the nursery, like a crib and a bed set. My owl nursery is coming together and it’s starting to become official. The colors of the nursery is light yellow, brown, blue, green and gray. Now I can focus on decorating and making the room cute and cozy. We are still in need of some items, so if you want to check out our registry, that would be great. We are registered at Target http://www.target.com/c/baby-registry/-/N-564tn  and Walmart http://www.walmart.com/babyregistry

I am amazed at all of the baby gear that is out there. I literally got sick and had to leave when I went to Babies R Us one time because I was so overwhelmed with everything they had. There have been times where I've had to stop and think, what did our parents do? In the 80’s there wasn't a zillion types of bottles, car seat and stroller choices. Then there is a list of recalls and items that was considered safe, but now dangerous to babies.  It’s way too much to take in and we have had to think realistically what would be best for us in the long run.

Not only am I trying take care of the baby and get things he will need, but I also have to think about what I will need postpartum as well. I mean, this is my first time having a baby and I don’t know what to expect, but I know it’s not going to be pretty. I don’t want to wind up finding myself without the necessities that I know I am going to need to be able to recover from delivery. What necessities did you find helpful when you were recovering from labor/delivery?On top of that, I have to develop a birth plan, which I think will be easier once we take our birthing class next month and we get to check out the maternity ward and learn about whatever we need to know about labor and delivery. Then I have to get all of the paperwork for the hospital finalized and well as finding a pediatrician before I go into labor. So many things to do just to have a baby!

This experience sure has been a learning one for sure, but also exciting. It doesn't seem like I am 7 months along. This year has flown by really quickly and I know the next 3 months will be here before I know it. Then we can think about baby #2! HA HA HA.