I thought I would post a positive thread where we can share the JOYs of the beautiful changes that occur due to pregnancy. After reading the negatively started closed thread many, MANY people were offended by some ignorant statements so lets be clear to stay off that closed topic, this is about sharing how awesome it is to conceive, carry and deliver a child, or if it was not possible naturally, the beautiful things you learned from your child’s delivery, history and the life you’ve shared since he or she has entered your world.
I have been unbelievably lucky. I haven’t suffered sickness or had breakouts. My skin is glowing, my husband is obsessed with my “new” breasts (please dear, we’re not rabbits!), and I haven’t peed my pants. I have had headaches and backaches, my hips get sore and sometimes I get dizzy and every time I want to cry of happiness! I never thought an uncomfortable thing can get me so excited. I hope I continue to think this was as I am still only in the 2nd trimester and this is our first. I am also totally elated at the bonding I am experiencing with my baby, he/she has just begun movement and every time it happens I cannot believe it. I have booked to deliver naturally with a birth center in order to reduce medical intervention and possible negative side effects to have a quicker and cleaner recovery, and the best part, less chance of tearing I know this isn’t everyone’s idea of a happy way to delivery but I am actually looking forward to it. I learned labor isn’t something to be scared of, we are taught it to be scary and painful but it can be a happy and enjoyable experience if we remind ourselves that. I am sticking with that mentality.
Looking forward to learning how other women have embraced the changes by pregnancy, what you love, not so love about it and everything in between.
I wish I could say my second time around has been just as smooth and easy as the first (it hasn’t), but I will say that there is nothing in the world like feeling a baby move inside you. Absolutely nothing. This for me has always been the most miraculous, bizarre, and beautiful aspect of pregnancy. From the first early flutters, to the alien-like rolls, to the strong kicks in the ribs (yes, even those!), I delight in fetal movements. It is what I think I will miss most about being pregnant (that and having people offer up their seats on the subway).
I’m not pregnant, nor do I have any children, but I cannot wait to embrace the changes pregnancy will make to my body. I can only imagine, but I think there is no better feeling in the whole world than knowing you are growing another person inside of you, that you and only you can protect them, nourish them and be responsible for their growth during those 9mos.
It must be the most empowering, beautiful feeling.
I know that every pregnancy isn’t plain sailing and I’m prepared for that, but I see it as the first of a thousand sacrifices you make for your child. Sure, you’ll gain weight and get stretch marks. But a few too many pies have the same effect!
[name]Just[/name] wanted to share my views on pregnancy as someone who is still WTT, I can’t wait to read about everyone else’s experiences with it.
Though pregnancy is extremely rough for me physically, I enjoy it so much mentally. There is nothing more miraculous than a life growing inside of you. I agree, feeling the baby move is the Best part of pregnancy. And including the anticipation of the unknown…is it a boy or a girl? When will be the birthday? Whats the personality going to be? So much Fun!
Each little gift has taught me something. I believe God gives us children so He can teach us.
[name]Tess[/name] is my grace
[name]Kaia[/name] is my faith
[name]Jasper[/name] is my courage
wow tina what a great idea for a thread! [name]How[/name] wonderful to hear women share their stories of growing a life. [name]Even[/name] though my pregnancy so far hasn’t exactly been joyous - terrible nausea - i don’t really care, in fact I’ve never been so excited to feel so awful. My body has started changing, boobs are even bigger then usual which my hubby loves & definitely feeling fuller round my hips/lower abdomen. I think its amazing how this tiny little group of cells sets off this huge reaction & our bodies know exactly what to do. I can’t wait to get a proper bump & start feeling movement. I’m probably biased as I work with pregnant women all day but to me pregnancy is a beautiful special time for a woman & I am so happy that I am able to experience it.
I enjoyed pregnancy very much up until the last 2-3 weeks of it. Mostly because at the end, all I wanted to do was sleep but I couldn’t because finding a comfortable position to sleep was basically impossible. The first movements were amazing, they made my heart race every time. I also loved thinking about the baby’s personality, eye and hair color, birthday, etc., it was very exciting.
I didn’t even think of what the baby will look like, act like, is it a boy or girl… we should know soon even more to get excited about! Before becoming pregnant I kept very positive. Telling myself I wouldn’t have morning sick or feel bad like that. There was a bit of spinning going on that first week post implantation but other than that I cannot believe it. Apparently my aunt was the same way and she has similar way of thinking as me. [name]Ever[/name] since I could remember I imagined myself as someone never having m/s and having a smooth labor. Lets hope I get 2 for 2. My mom had very severe symptoms with both my brother and I, and difficult labors but she still adored it and is more protective of me now than ever. It’s like she is going through it (the emotional side) all over again.
I am currently pregnant and physically it is going quite well. I struggled with my weight from puberty to most of my adult life, so I never had the perfect body. That’s freed me maybe to just enjoy it all. I was exhausted during the first trimester, but otherwise it’s been great: no morning sickness, heartburn that was easily addressed by avoiding a few foods, my husband loves the changes, and I love seeing the bump getting bigger.
When I first lost a ton of weight after having struggled for so long to lose it, I wondered how I would feel when I gained weight due to pregnancies. But I love my growing shape. It’s all in my belly and I look in the mirror wearing only a bra and underwear and feel beautiful. I also absolutely love feeling kicks. Partly because it’s just sweet to feel him and partly because I like him checking in with me that he’s okay.
If other things come up, such as from having a vaginal birth (which is what I want), I think I’d be fine with it. I love my little guy so much already and I think he’s worth it.
I struggled with my pregnancy mentally because of my family throwing fits about it and trying to ruin it at every turn. I had really bad nausea for 20 weeks, and it was awful, I lost 10lbs. I ended up gaining 50lbs back in 20 more weeks and I loved my pregnant body. I was unnerved by my stretch marks at first but after I got used to them I have my confidence back. I would give anything to have kept an extra 10lbs in pregnancy weight. I don’t have an eating disorder, but due to an autoimmune disorder I have constant excessive thirst (polydipsia) and no appetite; but when I was pregnant I had a huge appetite and I loved it!!
I loved feeling her move and kick and watching my belly grow with her. I loved knowing it was ME growing her alone, and that I alone had the task of ensuring her safety and well-being. I liked knowing that for just a short time, I could really keep her safe and ignorant to the heartache of the world. I literally felt like a goddess, even if you aren’t religious…there is just something divine about making and growing life. I prayed to the Gods for a girl with red hair and green eyes, with one eye brownish like her daddy’s, I prayed she’d be taller than me and prettier. I had dreamed regularly about this “daughter” long before I was ever pregnant and it never had meaning until I did get pregnant. I truly believe they gifted me with her. She has red-brown hair, green-blue eyes (with a brown spot, of course) and is already half my height and twice my beauty. Her birthday is even the reverse of mine (7/8 and 8/7). I really am so blessed and thankful to have such a beautiful soul in my life.
My husband loved my body changes and still does. I have much wider hips (which I [name]LOVE[/name], I hated feeling so tiny) and a much larger bust (not in cup size, but shape, weight, etc which comes with breastfeeding). I can’t wait to have another; but we’re waiting until our home sale is finalized and we’re moved in.
I had a really terrible vaginal birth (birth ‘abused’ since I am keeping the term pg-13) almost resulting in the death of my daughter due to negligent and abusive medical staff; and all of my next pregnancies (provided we are healthy) will be homebirths. I would do it all over again if I had to, but I will not do it again since I don’t; which is good for my growth as a person, mother, and midwife (to help others avoid what happened to me). Good things came out of a nightmare.
[name]Even[/name] with all of the negatives of my pregnancy and delivery, I would do it all over again ten times, and I will. I love pregnancy as it is a completely beautiful thing, there is nothing to top it for me. Thankfully hubby has the same values as I do on it!
I’m not expecting, but I totally agree with your birthing philosophy! It’s one my mother adopted with my brothers, and she had both of them at home with midwives. (I’m the first born, born naturally in hospital)
My mom learned about this course called Hypno-Birthing with my second brother, and it gave her the best experience. So much so that she went on to study it and teach it. She’s helped many of her friends as well at deliveries in terms of moral support/teachings.
I think that something so natural, so required in nature doesn’t have to be this “horrible, painful” experience, and so I’m not worried, or scared of it. I think a woman’s mental state and expectations has a lot to do with the experience, and I speak from stories I’ve heard from my mom and others.
[name]Giselle[/name] Bundchen said that her birth experience wasn’t painful. I’ve heard of other women say the same thing, that they felt no pain, just lots and lots of pressure.
I’ll ask my mother again about her experience with my youngest brother and report back here what she said.
I’ve also heard of women’s hair improving a lot during and after pregnancy as well, and the skin thing is a common one too.
I haven’t had any children,am a couple of years away from it,but just wanted to say to nice your post was. It really comes across how excited you are. Nice to read after the (slightly terrifying)negative thread! [name]Hope[/name] all goes well!
I second this comment [name]Tina[/name]! Thanks for starting the thread. I don’t have time to add comments right now, but I love that you are promoting the [name]Joy[/name] of pregnancy and motherhood and helping others (whatever stage they may be in right now) to see that many changes are GOOD!
The only thing I will add right now is that any negative symptoms or changes to my body physically were pushed aside by the empowerment I felt giving birth and raising my daughters. Watching them grow and thrive is amazing!
I know this isn’t everyone’s idea of a happy way to delivery but I am actually looking forward to it. I learned labor isn’t something to be scared of, we are taught it to be scary and painful but it can be a happy and enjoyable experience if we remind ourselves that. I am sticking with that mentality.
even more to get excited about! Before becoming pregnant I kept very positive. Telling myself I wouldn’t have morning sick or feel bad like that. There was a bit of spinning going on that first week post implantation but other than that I cannot believe it. Apparently my aunt was the same way and she has similar way of thinking as me. [name]Ever[/name] since I could remember I imagined myself as someone never having m/s and having a smooth labor. Lets hope I get 2 for 2. My mom had very severe symptoms with both my brother and I, and difficult labors but she still adored it and is more protective of me now than ever. It’s like she is going through it (the emotional side) all over again.