Bemusings of a Baby Life

– written February 11, 2013 at 22 weeks.

So there are a good number of things I was aware about when it comes to being pregnant.  There are normal “symptoms,” body changes, and anticipation.  Of course, experiencing the reality of pregnancy is different than hearing about it, but besides that there were a couple additional surprises that came my way after I got knocked-up.

1. People don’t just parent your parenting style when you’re carting around a kiddo (because I’ve heard this is very common)… apparently that starts at pregnancy.

   I’ve gotten all sorts of private Facebook messages and otherwise unsolicited advice about how to be a good mom to your baby during pregnancy.  Unsolicited is the key word.  People tell you what you should and shouldn’t be eating, what you must buy, that you have to breast feed, that you have to use a doula, that you have to go to Le Le Leche meetings, that you have to take a birthing class… At first, I was livid.  Each time I received such doses of advice I would talk myself down from my boiling point by rationalizing that no one was actually trying to be rude or bossy (even though they were) and that they were probably just trying to help.  That works for me.  I have also found that the more selective I am with sharing my pregnancy via statuses the better.  Truth is, the more I thought about how much this bothered me the more I realized it was probably a matter of pride.  It always feels like a slap in the face to realize a matter of pride.  That being said, I have gotten much better about accepting advice, whether asked for or not.

2. Suddenly you will feel old.

   I understood that there probably would be plenty of times during pregnancy when I wouldn’t feel sexy and I would feel uncomfortable.  What I didn’t expect was to be having to rise slowly out of a seated or lying down position even this early in the pregnancy.  My lower back and abdomen protest in ways I didn’t expect to experience until far later into the pregnancy.  I watch older folks get out of their seats and realize all over again that I look exactly like that now-a-days.

Now you know.  You’re welcome 😉