When I thought of pregnancy, I imagined the some of the uncomfortableness that comes along with it. I imagined the morning sickness, waking up and running to the bathroom. I imagined getting bigger and getting less sleep. That's not to say that I'm having a super terrible, horribly uncomfortable pregnancy. I think I've had a pretty good pregnancy so far. Mostly, I think I just never really considered how uncomfortable I would get (and still will get). I tried to focus on the positive aspects. Like the fact that I would be miraculously carrying a child inside of me. Getting excited every time they moved. Somehow I missed the step where I would need to remember that I would get kicked in the ribs. I firmly believe that women with shorter torsos are beat up most often during pregnancy. :) While I'm thrilled to be pregnant and that I finally know I'm able to be, it's not all sunshine daisies either.
Sleeping is difficult as I have to find the most comfortable position, but when I do chances are it doesn't last long and I need to re-situate myself. That task has taken on a whole new meaning. Even though my belly isn't full term, it's still carrying a larger than normal load in front and it makes turning from side to side an event. Not only that, but I also have to take the extra pillows I use to be "comfortable" with me. I have four pillows total when I go to bed. The regular pillow for my head, a small rounded pillow for neck support (used whether pregnant or not), a pillow for underneath my belly for support, and my body pillow for between my legs for hip support. Imagine all of this moving and shuffling about just to switch sides to sleep on. It's quite the spectacle I'm sure. Unfortunately, more than once has this escapade has disturbed my husband's sleep. He's wonderful though and tries to help me as much as he can.
The hardest part might be that I'm no longer able to use those ab muscles I worked on for months and months. They are idly sitting back waiting to be used after the baby is born. It's a sort of strange phenomenon to consciously not use a part of your body you thought you almost never used regularly. Sitting up, getting off the couch, picking things up off the floor, moving things around, laundry. I'm a pretty independent person and I've always enjoyed that I can do things for myself. However, I'm more and more relying on Ty to help me or flat out do things for me. I can't bring the laundry down or up to our room anymore, nor can I lift the basket to put in a load into the washer. Sometimes, getting off the couch by myself requires scooting or laying on my side and sort of rolling off. There are times where I absolutely am not able to put on my socks and shoes, without Ty pretty much doing it for me. I'd go for the flats, but baby it's cold outside.
I love my little girl, but I'm excited for her to be out of my body where we can hold her and see her and I'm able to function normally. It's funny the things you miss. At the moment I'm fighting off a cold and I'm only using home remedies to cure what ails me. (i.e. Lots of oranges, soup, honey & cinnamon, and tissues.....a LOT of tissues.) What I wouldn't give to take some Mucinex! I'm looking forward to being out of this illness so that I can focus and concentrate on baking up a storm.
I will admit to you though, that I've used being pregnant as a crutch to not do things. Something I really need to get out of the habit of. I'm pregnant, not broken. Lazy, but not broken. ;) I CAN do things. I was reminded of this when I read CJane's post on her latest birth experience. The woman is amazing and reinspired me for my own planned home birth. There are definitely days (like right now because I'm sick) that the energy to do anything has left me completely. However, I have to remember that labor and birth are going to be physically draining and not a breezy walk in the park. Yoga, yoga, yoga.
Anyone else have a false sense of what pregnancy was like before getting pregnant?
Just a short week Ago I was doing the push and roll to get myself out of bed.... I sure don't miss that! :)
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