If you asked me 3 years ago what I thought my pregnancy experience would be like, I could not have even imagined what was in store for me. I thought I knew it all in terms of pregnancy, but my experience seems to be another way that God has taught me some perspective and humility.
I had very few of the common pregnancy "side effects." Almost no nausea or vomiting. Little constipation. Only mild, occasional heartburn (which I seem to feel only in my throat for some reason). No strong food cravings. No anemia, even with a mostly vegetarian diet. No trouble with gaining too much weight. I even had less back pain than usual.
Socially, I was amazed at the outpouring of support and love I received from friends and strangers alike. Strangers on the street would wish me congratulations and ask about the baby. Older ladies would give up their seats on the bus for me. If I mentioned anything about pregnancy or the baby on facebook, and I'd get 30+ likes. I've also found great comfort and support in online forums and a pregnancy support group.
Yet, I had some less common "side effects," most of which I never anticipated or even knew about. Loss of appetite for the first half of the pregnancy. Aversions to some foods I usually like, like pasta and chocolate. Ten nose bleeds after 31 years without ever having one. Being short of breath with exertion early in the pregnancy. Palpitations that heart monitors didn't pick up. Anxiety. Hip pain, and the trouble sleeping for more than 2 hours at a time that it caused. How inevitable it was that walking turned into waddling.
I can't complain, though. I needed to learn that I had a lot to learn...another life lesson to prepare me for motherhood.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
The incredible journey
As I prepare for the birth of my baby this week, I've been reflecting on the journey of how we got here.
While I can't say I'm glad we had such a hard time conceiving this child, it was a valuable experience. It taught me humility. It taught us how to deal with disappointment as a couple. It taught me empathy. It taught me to appreciate the blessings I have.
Who knows if my pregnancy would have been as awe-inspiring for me if I hadn't had to wait so long? All I know is that I cherish every little kick and hiccup. I adore the little whooshing sound of his heart when I hear it at the doctor. I fell in love with a blurry image of a face in an ultrasound photo. I still giggle when I think about being pregnant. I wonder at the fact that there is a little person growing inside of me. How is it possible that everyone in the world came to be this way?
As much as I will not miss the physical discomforts, I think part of me will miss being pregnant. I know there's no guarantee it will ever happen again for anyone, especially for me. Fundamentally though, pregnancy is a means to an end: having a baby. And perhaps I'll spend the rest of my life giggling whenever I look at my son, thanking God that he let me share in the wonder of creating a person.
While I can't say I'm glad we had such a hard time conceiving this child, it was a valuable experience. It taught me humility. It taught us how to deal with disappointment as a couple. It taught me empathy. It taught me to appreciate the blessings I have.
Who knows if my pregnancy would have been as awe-inspiring for me if I hadn't had to wait so long? All I know is that I cherish every little kick and hiccup. I adore the little whooshing sound of his heart when I hear it at the doctor. I fell in love with a blurry image of a face in an ultrasound photo. I still giggle when I think about being pregnant. I wonder at the fact that there is a little person growing inside of me. How is it possible that everyone in the world came to be this way?
As much as I will not miss the physical discomforts, I think part of me will miss being pregnant. I know there's no guarantee it will ever happen again for anyone, especially for me. Fundamentally though, pregnancy is a means to an end: having a baby. And perhaps I'll spend the rest of my life giggling whenever I look at my son, thanking God that he let me share in the wonder of creating a person.
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