Monday, May 28, 2012

What to Expect When You're Expecting

In the downhill slide of my fourth forty-week tour, I can tell you exactly what to expect. Expect the unexpected. As warm, fuzzy, and sometimes downright frightening as those pregnancy books are, I think they neglect a few details. At my current state, I'm experiencing things that I can't remember reading about in books. Want to hear my top symptoms right now? Okay, I thought you did...
  • We're experiencing 4th of July temperatures in May. Who could have called that? As a result, I want to do nothing other than sit in the A/C with a fan on high-speed blowing directly in my face.
  • Most of my pants  are too small and uncomfortable. I may wear yoga pants every day for the duration of the pregnancy unless I absolutely have to appear "presentable" somewhere. 
  • Every morning when I wake up, I feel like someone twisted my spine while I was sleeping. It stays that way for a good while afterward.
  • Those yoga pants I mentioned, it's really hard to get them on when you can't bend over. Tying shoes is also out.
  • I'm very thankful to somehow be able to still trim my toenails....somehow. 
  • I've learned that my heartburn is caused by eating ____________ (insert any food or drink item) or nothing at all. We're talking fire-breathing, people.
  • My hand falls asleep every time I talk on the phone. 
  • I can smell roadkill and raw sewage facilities about five miles from wherever I sit. 
  • I am exhausted, but my legs are restless. That's fun.
  • I saved the most unexpected for last; it's all worth it. 
The throes of pregnancy are just temporary. They are truly minor afflictions in the grand-scheme of life; and, besides, most of the 40 weeks isn't so bad! It's just the last few that are most challenging. Even still, it's my goal to maintain a pretty placid demeanor whenever possible as not offend my husband, family and friends by my current state of uncomfortableness. Instead of lashing out in hormonal rage, I've been praying and praising God instead and, it's working. Here are some things I've been practicing:
  • When I feel like complaining, I try to remember to pray instead.
  • When I start to dwell on my pain, I remember Christ at the cross.
  • When I want sit down and zone out for the duration of the pregnancy, I remember the many undeserved blessings I've been given that need my attention even though I feel weak. I praise God for those!
  • I praise God regularly for this blessing of a new baby! I can't wait to meet her and get to know her. I know that the challenges of pregnancy are worth this awesome gift!!
  • Every time I check to see how far along I am (and think it feels like I should be closer to 40wks than I am), I'm thankful for the virtue of patience that is being refined in my heart.
Verses to apply: 
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Grace Laced MondaysThis post is linked up to Grace Laced MondaysBetter Mom Mondays and Just for Fun Fridays

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7 comments:

  1. Tess! I can relate... I`m going on 38 weeks. I agree it is all worth the discomfort :)Hang in there.

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    1. 38wks! You're at the very end, girl! I wish you a blessed birth!!

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  2. great post! :)

    I'm 32 weeks, and very uncomfortable already! I love the scriptures at the end!!! I'm not one that enjoys or loves pregnancy. It hurts, and it's not fun, but remembering the blessing of life that God has given is fun! I'm just ready for this stage to be over :P
    I definitely need to keep those verses in mind for the next 8 weeks!!!

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    1. Thank you! Keeping faith ahead of complaints really does make everything more tolerable. It's so easy to get the "poor me" syndrome. :) It will all be over before we know it!

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  3. Yes, this is a great post! It's amazing how challenging the 9 months can seem, and how quickly we forget the difficulties in the light of the amazing blessing of a new life!

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    1. Exactly! It's all very quickly forgotten. If it weren't, none of us would have more than one child. :) I prefer non-medicated birth, also; every now and then my heart races a little when I think about doing it again, then I just remember that the worst part is the anxiety leading up to it. Hopefully I can keep faith front and center during the L&D process and all will go smoothly!! This is my first pregnancy that I've experienced free of chronic anxiety!

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