Pregnancy is definitely a one of a kind experience. The last eight months have been some of the most challenging months of my life. In the best and worst of ways. There have been agonising moments that I've wished would go away, and then such happy moments that I've wished would never end.
Pregnancy is a rollercoaster. There's no other way to describe it. Especially as every woman has such a different experience! You would think that it would pretty much be the same for everyone, just like in the movies.
You pee on a stick > spend 3 months throwing up > eat like a pig > get super emotional and grumpy > get this glorious glow > water breaks > rush to hospital JUST in time > few screams > baby arrives!
But it's not like that at all.
When I think about it, I've had a really good pregnancy actually. There's a few things that haven't been too much fun, but really, when you look at it as a whole, I can't complain.
How amazing are our bodies? When you think about how it all happens, from conception to birth, it's a little mind blowing. Miraculous actually.
I've learnt a few things over the past eight months, however the following are more 'third' trimester based.
// Pillows are necessary //
I remember the days when I used to go to bed at night, and actually just wake up in the morning. Those days feel so far gone, and so far away. Since the second trimester, I've found that I need 3 large pillows stacked on top of each other, and then squished between my legs to get comfortable and to help with hip pain. But then I also need one behind me to stop be from rolling onto my back. It's a tricky balancing position. But if you think it's a myth, think again. Pillows are absolutely necessary!
// Getting a nosebleed does not mean that you're dying //
Before I became pregnant, I had never had a nosebleed. However, I have now had more than I can count. It's not particularly fun, especially when you're out and about or talking to someone, and then blood starts flying everywhere. At first, I thought I must be dying. After all, blood is meant to stay inside the body! I googled it (as you do) and found it to be very common! Along with a whole heap of other delightful pregnancy side-effects.
// Don't be offended if hubby ends up sleeping on the couch in the middle of the night //
Sometimes I wake up, and much to my dismay, Joe is gone! This used to really upset me, but I've learnt to accept it now. I'm not the easiest person to sleep next to anymore! I used to be relatively quite, I'd sleep right up against the edge of the bed taking up no room at all, and I would sometimes wake up in the exact same position that I'd fall asleep in! That feels like a lifetime ago! Poor Joe has been kept awake for countless hours on end with my recent half hourly tossing and turning, snoring and being booted to the edge of the bed. After all, with all the pillows I need, it's a mission to turn over, and it takes up more than half of the bed.
// Waddle with pride //
I've always seen pregnant women in their later stages of pregnancy waddling along, and a part of me never understood it. I didn't know why they couldn't just walk normally. Now I do!
Fact: You will waddle, and it will hurt if you try to walk without one. Embrace the penguin. Own it.
// Food is your best friend //
Enough said. It's comfort, it's delicious, it's what you need to get you through each ache and pain you feel.
// Food is your worst enemy //
This is also true. Having been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes during this last trimester, it's been a real challenge to stick to a strict diet, pricking my fingers to test my sugar levels four times a day, and keeping to specific times of when and how much I can eat. Not want you want to have to focus on during the last trimester! I would much rather just like to eat what I like, and when I'd like it. However, staying positive, maybe having Gestational Diabetes has been a blessing in disguise. It's really made me eat healthier for our little girl and after she's here I'll hopefully be able to fit into a lot of my old clothes a lot quicker than I would have been able to if I had just been eating anything and everything in sight!
// Sneeze with confidence //
I won't go into too much detail here. But let me just say that it's amazing how much pressure there is on your bladder at this stage in pregnancy! Laughing, coughing, sneezing, and even just standing up all become a little dangerous. Kegel exercises are key.
// Your knee length dresses will become your tops //
With the growing belly, comes the realisation that you can no longer wear your 'knee length' dresses anymore. They are now just a little too short to be able to get away with, especially if there's a light breeze! However, for the first time ever, they start to look good as tops! So throw on some shorts, leggings or jeans with them and you're good to go.
There are plenty more things that I've learnt over the last little while, but those are probably the ones that stick out to me the most.
Pregnancy is not always easy, but when you look at it as a whole, it's beautiful. Joe and I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity. We're going to be parents in just three weeks time! Which is a little bit hilarious, and a whole heap of amazing.
It's going to be scary and overwhelming! But also beyond our wildest dreams, it's going to be magical, and worth every sleepless night.
We are already totally smitten with our little lady. Those lips, that little chin, her cute little nose! We are counting down the days till we get to see her, and if we're lucky, she'll surprise us and be here even sooner!
Have a beautiful day,
- A M Y D A V I S
