39 Weeks!
My daughter is now 39 weeks old, and as of today, nine months old! I still love her just as much and even more than I did nine months ago!
I thought about the last time India was 39 weeks or 9 months old, when I was 39 weeks pregnant, and didn't have very fond thoughts. I know some women sail through pregnancy with very few problems and love being pregnnt, but for whatever reason, the curse of Eve was hard on me.
Before I got pregnant, I considered becoming a surrogate, and would still consider it, but with more careful consideration because I now know how much work is involved with growing a little person.
It wasn't easy: nausea my entire pregnancy, horrible swelling, hips that twisted out of place (seeing the chiropractor every other day at the end otherwise I wasn't able to walk), and the worse thing of all, PUPPP.
I tried not to complain over the course of my entire pregnancy, being grateful and trying to cherish every minute. In fact, only 3 or 4 people knew that I had PUPPP, because I was so worried about complaining, that I didn't like people to know anything was wrong!
It wasn't until I gave birth that I said, "OH MY GOODNESS, THAT WAS MISERABLE"! India was worth it, but I'm SO glad that we're on the other side now, as this is much, much, much easier!
Surely, holding a yummy-smelling, squishy, baby like this...
...is better than 9 months of sickness.
And this little coo alone was worth...
...ridiculous swelling!
These kissable cheeks and cheesy smile...
...was much more desirable than PUPPP.
To say I'm thankful that India is now here and not ^^there^^ is an understatement.
I know to get to these nine months, I had to go through those nine months - and I am thankful for every day and every moment as painful as they were.
How did your body handle being pregnant? Would you consider surrogacy?
Labels: growth, India, love, milestones, pregnancy, PUPPP, question
posted by Uniquely Normal Mom @ 3:28 PM
13 Comments
13 Comments:
So far, to be honest, my body has not handled pregnancy all that great. Or maybe its just my mind. Either way, while I always had this idyllic sense of pregnancy before I actually got pregnant, the number of children we are considering having is steadily declining because of how hard pregnancy is on me physically and emotionally. Oh I wish I could have been one of those who just sailed through the experience, gaining 20 lbs, never getting sick, etc, etc, etc.
And oh my goodness, Gen, your poor feet! Was the swelling painful?
Like you BEFORE I had kids I considered it. After having kids, NO WAY! I had some issues with both pregnancies. At about 8 months prego with Abram I had to have a surgery and the dr. suggested no more babies out of mu body! I was ok with that.
I did not like being prego, not one bit! I did however LOVE giving birth, both births were incredible to me, probably b/c I knew birth would be shorter that 40 weeks and after giving birth I'd have the best gift of all!
(((hugs))) Rachel! :) I'm always a little, OK a lot, jealous of those who do all the things you said - have no sickness, gain 20 pounds and feel good. The swelling wasn't painful, but it felt at times, that my skin was going to burst. It got to the point where I couldn't bend my knees because I was SO swollen. :( I tried to hide it because I didn't want any sympathy but I couldn't even fit into flip flips!
Salena - Same here. Being pregnant: no. Giving birth: yes. Maybe we could just give birth for people instead of carry their babies?? :D
I'm with Rachel. The number of children we wanted greatly decreased after struggling through two pregnancies. Of course, my pregnancy with Zoelle was much like your pregnancy with India. It was better the second time around, but I'm not going to lie, I don't look forward or desire to ever be pregnant again.
We actually have discussed surrogacy many times (even before having kids and since), but it again goes back to how much my body can handle. It would also depend on how many little kids I had at home at the time, as pregnancy and little kids do not go hand in hand for me! :(
I knew that your pregnancies were tough too, Vanessa! I'm hopeing and praying that with any subsequent children, my body won't take such a beating. :)
Wow--I don't know if I should even comment...but I will.
I am "that" woman: I LOVE being pregnant. I feel GREAT while I'm pregnant. I feel better while pregnant than when I'm not. I typically LOSE weight while pregnant and GAIN weight when I'm not. I have some swelling near the end, but it's bearable. I feel lovely, I feel more energized--pregnancy suits me! I look forward to many more, and this is my ninth! Here's the "true confession" though: I enjoy the nine months of pregnancy more than the first nine months that baby lives on the OUTside. The constant nursing...trying to get the groceries knowing the baby (in the van with my oldest and the other kids) probably woke up 2 minutes after I entered the store and is now screaming, never making it through a church service without having to step out, not being able to just plain hold the baby because any time they are in the vicinity of my chest they want to nurse, never sleeping, etc. etc. etc.
I also have terrible post partum depression, which looms over me as "what's coming" as baby's due date approaches. (I'm hoping to try to combat this nutritionally this time.)
When people see me toward the end of pregnancy, they say things like "ohhhh, I bet you can't WAIT to be done, huh?"
I always tell them babies are a lot easier to take care of on the inside than on the outside!
Regarding the surrogacy--I just don't think I could ever do it. I feel SUCH a closeness with that babe who's kicking around inside of me...the rolling around, the hiccups...I don't think I could give that child up.
I certainly feel for those who have a tougher time during pregnancy. My sister-in-law threw up so much while pregnant with my nephew that she actually split her trachea. Yikes.
Great post, Genevieve!
I WANTED to love being pregnant SO BADLY... spent many nights crying over how guilty I felt for hating being pregnant. I had HG (hypermesis gravidarum -where you're really sick all 9 months) and spent countless nights in the Er getting IVs. It was so bad my mother thought surely I shouldn't have any more children (and she's a doula/lactation consultant/OB RN...etc) but despite efforts not to (at least not in such short sequuence) 3 1/2 years after the birth of our first, we have three children. All pregnancies were just as miserable. Sometimes harder even than the first (because then you have a little one, or two, to chase and care for on top of it!)... I'm with you girls- even after my first I said I'd rather give birth for a week than be pregnant for 9 months!
Melissa - That is fascinating to hear all that about you. I would imagine that watching/taking care of several kids WITH a newborn is more work. I have it easy right now with only one! :)
Labor - I've heard about the terrors of HG. ((Hugs)) to you for making it through on the other side, and with 3 beauties to show for it!
After trying so long to get pregnant, I wanted to love every minute of it. I can't say I hated it. I had a very easy pregnancy (again, one of "those" women): no sickness, no cravings, no swelling, gained exactly 25 pounds. But I'm not one of those women who absolutely loved being pregnant. It's not the most comfortable situation by really any stretch of the imagination! I do think, though, that by the time #2 comes along, I'll have forgotten all about the discomfort (and pain of contractions...YUCK), and be excited for a new little one.
Although I am in awe of reproduction and birth, I don't particularly like being pregnant. I don't love the morning sickness, aches & pains, weight gain, and other symptoms. I much prefer my non-pregnant body and self. :)
That said, I completely acknowledge what a blessing it is to be pregnant and to give birth to a little life. It is, as you said, unquestionably worth it.
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
P.S. My sister had PUPPP for her 1st pregnancy! She said it was miserable!
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
After trying so long to get pregnant, I wanted to love every minute of it. I can't say I hated it. I had a very easy pregnancy (again, one of "those" women): no sickness, no cravings, no swelling, gained exactly 25 pounds. But I'm not one of those women who absolutely loved being pregnant. It's not the most comfortable situation by really any stretch of the imagination! I do think, though, that by the time #2 comes along, I'll have forgotten all about the discomfort (and pain of contractions...YUCK), and be excited for a new little one.
Wow--I don't know if I should even comment...but I will.
I am "that" woman: I LOVE being pregnant. I feel GREAT while I'm pregnant. I feel better while pregnant than when I'm not. I typically LOSE weight while pregnant and GAIN weight when I'm not. I have some swelling near the end, but it's bearable. I feel lovely, I feel more energized--pregnancy suits me! I look forward to many more, and this is my ninth! Here's the "true confession" though: I enjoy the nine months of pregnancy more than the first nine months that baby lives on the OUTside. The constant nursing...trying to get the groceries knowing the baby (in the van with my oldest and the other kids) probably woke up 2 minutes after I entered the store and is now screaming, never making it through a church service without having to step out, not being able to just plain hold the baby because any time they are in the vicinity of my chest they want to nurse, never sleeping, etc. etc. etc.
I also have terrible post partum depression, which looms over me as "what's coming" as baby's due date approaches. (I'm hoping to try to combat this nutritionally this time.)
When people see me toward the end of pregnancy, they say things like "ohhhh, I bet you can't WAIT to be done, huh?"
I always tell them babies are a lot easier to take care of on the inside than on the outside!
Regarding the surrogacy--I just don't think I could ever do it. I feel SUCH a closeness with that babe who's kicking around inside of me...the rolling around, the hiccups...I don't think I could give that child up.
I certainly feel for those who have a tougher time during pregnancy. My sister-in-law threw up so much while pregnant with my nephew that she actually split her trachea. Yikes.
Great post, Genevieve!
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