Saturday, January 05, 2008

What I've Learned

This post is dedicated to my good friend, Shell, who just found out that she's pregnant. Congratulations, Shell!

I have A LOT of friends who have already had babies. For the last 11 years, babies have been popping out among close friends and family, so you'd think I'd understand more than I do...but when it's not happening to you, you tend to tune it all out. That's why the following things are NEW revelations to me.

1. Maternity pants rock! I will be so sad when I have to go back to pants that I have to button and zip and have no elastic at the top for when you eat too many brownies. Not to mention, the easy-up, easy-down feature sure comes in handy for those million times a day you have to pee.

2. I never understood why pregnant women were always touching, rubbing, scratching their bellies. What is the obsession?? Well, I think there are many explanations for this. First of all, your belly itches! And your boobs itch worse, but it's more socially acceptable to scratch your belly in public than your boobs. Second, the belly starts sticking out there, and you bump into things with it, and you have to protect it. Not only that, but you're wondering if it's really part of you...it feels kind of alien at first. I also find myself rubbing and pushing on my belly trying to get the baby to move so I know everything is ok.

3. I now count my life in number of weeks. I don't say I'm 6 months pregnant...I say I'm 23 weeks or 24 weeks pregnant. Non-pregnant people probably think I'm a freak counting weeks, but weeks matter now, let me tell you!

4. This is the ONLY time in my life that I get excited to go to the doctor. I LOVE hearing the baby's heartbeat, and I NEED to hear the doctor tell me that everything still looks great. Getting on the scale at the start of the appointment and peeing in a cup every time? Not the fun parts, but bearable.

5. Shell, don't think you're being a freak if you find yourself going to the bathroom even more times than you have to just to check and make sure you're not spotting or bleeding. This may not be as common as some of these other items, but I sure did it! Until I hit about 16 weeks, I checked EVERY TIME.

6. One final thing - this is just a warning, and one that I'm still following. DO NOT walk into Babies 'R Us or the baby section of any store at the start of your pregnancy or if you are by yourself. I did this, just out of curiosity, right after I found out I was pregnant, and I was overwhelmed! There are so many things that I know I need, but I am insisting on some of my more experienced friends taking me shopping so that I don't pass out on the breast pump aisle.

I know that the next 114 days (plus or minus a few) will bring many more new revelations and experiences...and I'm so thankful for my friends who have gone before me, so that they can teach me the way.

Signing off for now,
The Little Grasshopper

P.S. I can't wait to see what kinds of google searches this post shows up in!

5 comments:

Jayme said...

I checked EVERY time I went to the bathroom...the whole 40 weeks.

The first 30 or so you check to make sure nothings wrong...then you check for any signs of pre-labor...like the loss of a mucus plug or something. :)

Every time. :)

Love Bears All Things said...

Are you keeping a diary for the baby to read later?
So glad you enjoyed your massage.
Mama Bear

Terri said...

too funny; I remember all these things but they were ages ago. I really enjoyed my pregnancies and it sounds like you are too (haven't heard any real complaints!).

maddie said...

thank you, dear sally. all tips are helpful, as i really don't know anything at all!!!

Sally said...

Jayme - thanks for scaring me...I have to go check now! =)

Mama Bear - I'm using my blog as a diary, and I plan on scrapbooking for the baby. I already have a bunch of stuff to start the book - sonograms, cards from friends, pictures of Christmas gifts...in fact, I need to start working on it!

Terri - I have complaints, but they seem so minor compared to what some of my friends have and are going through, that I feel silly talking about them. I have a good friend in OH who's pregnant right now, and we gripe together. LOL

Shell - I knew nothing either...you just learn as you go along. And as long as it isn't harmful to you or the baby - ignorance is bliss! =) There will be NO watching a birthing video for me!!