I’m not sure if all of you know this or not, but Jake and I were NOT planning on having a baby at this point in our life. Life is just way too unsettled right now. Way too unknown. Way too sub-poverty level. And yet here we are. Because we weren’t trying to get pregnant, I wasn’t was trying to educate myself. I went into this thing pretty naive. I’m still kinda there some days, to be honest. It’s all just a little overwhelming…
I have another good friend who recently found out that she’s expecting. I was trying to think of something nice I could do for her (I have something in mind), and I also wanted to think of some things I might would have liked for someone to tell me right at the beginning. I decided to brainstorm here on the blog. I’m going to list some things I would have liked to have known, and if any of you much more experienced readers have anything to add (from the dad’s perspective too!), please leave a comment. After all, I’m only about 4 1/2 months into this thing. :-) Here goes…
-Things you used to love (ice cream & coffee, in my case) will become temporarily repulsive to you. Don’t worry, give it about 3 months or so and you’ll be able to enjoy them again. Probably…
-Never underestimate the power of mashed potatoes.
-Go ahead and prepare your husband for the fact that you’ll be stealing his t-shirts as yours begin to get too tight. Maternity clothes are cute and all, but there’s just nothing as comfortable around the house as a cotton t-shirt.
-It IS possible to be hungry again only an hour after breakfast. And lunch. And snack.
-It is ALSO possible to have to pee again just 15 minutes after the last time you peed. Even if you haven’t drank anything since then. It makes no sense…
-”If I could only just throw up already, I’d feel better” is a lie from the pit of hell.
-Even if you feel like crap and only want to lie on the couch and moan, getting out and going for a walk actually does help.
-Cord blood registries are worse than Nigerian millionaires wanting to give you all their money and “men’s enhancement” drugs about sending you emails.
-Don’t EVER walk into Baby’s-R-Us with the intent to register by yourself. This is an ENTIRE store the size of Walmart with nothing but baby stuff that they say you need. On top of that, even the basics become difficult. Who knew there were 50 DIFFERENT KINDS of bottles all claiming to be the best for your baby?! I’m not kidding, take someone with you who has recently had a baby. I know you love your mom and all, but A LOT has changed in the last 20-30 years since she had a baby. Look for a friend with a 2-year-old or younger and bribe them into going with you. For your own sanity’s sake. Trust me on this one.
-Some women love their pregnant bodies and feel totally cute with the extra bulge. I’m not one of those women. You may not be either. Or you may love it. Either way, you’re not a bad person. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
-Your husband (and pets) may have to shower/apply deodorant/brush teeth way more often than usual. Your sense of smell becomes uncanny…in a bad way. You will smell the garbage from the house 2 doors down and it will make you want to hurl, while your husband smells nothing and thinks you’re crazy. Along the same lines, you may find yourself switching lotions and deodorants because you can’t stand the smell of your old ones anymore. It’s really weird.
-The first doctor’s visit is NOT a breeze. Get over your delirious “I’m so happy to be pregnant” state and prepare yourself for some unpleasantries. I had NO idea what I had coming at that first visit…
-Prepare your husband for the fact that his dinners may be his own responsibility for a while. A nauseous woman with a heightened sense of smell (that only makes the nausea worse) is not the kind of person who wants to be cooking or filling the house with food smells. Don’t worry, this won’t last too terribly long. When the nausea subsides (around 14 weeks for me), you’ll enjoy cooking (and eating) once again.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now. All of you women who have been pregnant before (and men who have been married to pregnant women), please feel free to comment. Maybe your experience was different than mine. Maybe you’ve got something to add. Maybe you think I’m just weird (if you say that, though, I’m going to point you to articles on BabyCenter.com, theBump.com, etc., that all say I’m perfectly normal for my experiences…just so you know).
This post is past our “one scroll” limit, Diana. Consider yourself warned.
So cute :). I never had morning sickness although I did have some “gag attacks” during the first tri…you poor thing…I can’t imagine being that sick. Glad that it sounds like you are feeling better. I guess the one I would add for later is that when your belly gets huge around 7-8 months, don’t be surprised when strangers stop you everywhere you go and tell you that you look like “you are going to pop” or that “you are going to have that baby today” (when you are still months away). And everyone will stare at you too :).
You look so cute with such a sweet bump! I remember feeling Henry for sure (I felt flutters before) the day we had our big ultrasound, which I think it was right at 18 weeks. So it won’t be long before it starts to feel more real :).
Congratulations friends! And thanks for being honest Diana! We moved to Huntsville in March and life is unsettled for us as well. Is graduation in your new future – like next weekend? Give us an update.
@Kristin – Graduation is happening this Saturday!!
Congratulations!
Take it from one who has a great deal of experience, with the pitter patter of many little feet…..
This child will be a blessing that brings great joy!
Mrs. Maggie – Thanks for the encouraging words. :-)
Kristin – Yep. Jake’s graduation is this weekend…hooray!
Courtney – I was hoping you’d show up with some wisdom of your own. :-) I have yet to feel anything at this point, but I’m hoping it won’t be too much longer.
Jake – Your mom’s past the one scroll limit. Oooooh….burn! *giggle*
Prepare your siblings that you will not be naming your child after them. I was devestated. I mean, Nicole or Nicholas would have been perfect. However, you and Jake are welcome to use my name if you like.
LOVED this post! All so true!!! I smiled when I read the one about being hungry an hour after breakfast…you’d no longer make fun of my “snack drawer” at work now, would you?! :) I also totally agree about registering at Babies R Us…I was so overwhelmed at how many different kinds of pacifiers there were!