As I’m writing this post, I am officially 37 weeks pregnant with my first child. Nothing in life prepared me for the feeling of carrying around a burgeoning, beach ball that is now my belly. At my doctor’s appointment yesterday, she gave me my hospital papers which I am supposed to carry around with me in case I go into labour. My doctor told me that anything past 36 weeks is considered “term” so I guess I am a ticking time-bomb.
When I reflect upon the past nine months, there are a number of positive things and challenges that I experienced (as well as things I would do differently). Let’s start with the good things.
Highlights
- Taking naps without feeling guilty. As modern human beings, we often feel like we need to fill up every spare moment in the day for fear of being called lazy, or *gasp* not busy. Pregnancy forced me to slow down and listen to the cues my body was sending me.
- Eating without feeling (too) guilty. There is no other time in a woman’s life when people condone eating more. Two servings? Sure! Although many people say you are “eating for two” you really only need a few extra calories a day (something equivalent to an extra chicken breast a day) as the fetus is such a tiny little thing. But this technicality did not prevent me from having an extra piece of dessert now and then.
- Receiving positive vibes from others. I never thought a baby bump could bring about such a happy environment. Strangers on the street smile and say, “Congratulations!” Women lining up to use the restroom let me go ahead of them. People on the bus willingly give up their seats for me. Friends and family buy or cook food for the “baby.”
- A reason to take better care of yourself. I have no problem in admitting that I was not the healthiest person pre-pregnancy. Eating fast food several times a week and not exercising was the norm for me. While I am still no health-freak, I do eat more fruits, veggies and dairy while cutting down on greasy foods. Never one to hit the gym, I enjoyed walks, the occasional yoga session and my all time favourite workout – the hula hoop.
- Having an excuse for almost everything. Being pregnant is one of the best excuses to use to get out of social gatherings or doing unwanted chores. “Sorry, I would love to make it, but I’m feeling very ill today.” Or, “Honey, I would help you with the yard work but I need a little nap first.” Pregnant women everywhere should milk it while it lasts.
- Not getting checked out by guys. Not that I am the sort of girl that needs to beat them off with a stick, but sometimes it’s nice not to receive unwanted attention. A baby bump is the best guy repellent around.
Lowlights
- Not getting checked out by guys. A baby bump is the best guy repellent around. Gee…I may be pregnant, but I’m still a woman, okay?
- Fill in your pregnancy ailment(s) here. Pregnancy affects everyone differently, so while I escaped the horrible morning sickness phase, I was inundated with acne from the changing hormones and poor circulation which caused pooling of blood in my ankle.
- Cutting out certain foods and drinks. Inevitably pregnancy changes what you can or cannot eat. The two things that I gave up and missed the most are caffeine and sashimi. I looooove coffee and tea; not being able to drink more than one cup a day was difficult. And my Japanese meals just didn’t feel complete without a little bit of salmon sashimi.
- Being babied too much. While I agree that pregnant women should take it easy, I think most pregnant women are still capable of doing most things on their own. My husband and my mom (with the sweetest intentions of course) refused to let me drive during my last 2 months of pregnancy for fear that I would get in a car accident.
Things I Would Do Differently
- Research obstetricians. I just accepted the first obstetrician that my family doctor referred me to. While the obstetrician is very knowledgeable and experienced, she is not the friendliest and provides minimal information. This is something to consider, especially if it is your first child. There are several websites where you can check out how patients have rated their doctors. I would also suggest talking to other moms to hear about their experiences and suggestions.
- Research birthing options. There are so many options available to moms nowadays such as water birth, midwives, etc. While I have chosen the hospital route, I just found out that another hospital in my area specializes in childbirth while the one I am going to does not.
- Get more sleep. I have a bad habit of getting around six hours of sleep a night. While this may have been fine pre-pregnancy, I am definitely feeling the effects of it now, especially during the last trimester. Why do I stay up so late? It’s partly due to habit and partly because I’ve been working two jobs for the past year. So if you can afford to get more sleep, do it! Might as well rest up before the baby comes.
