Oh, the joy of pregnancy. And the discomfort. This one is definitely harder on me than the last. I'm no spring chicken, I know, which is probably why it's been harder. So, as this is my last pregnancy, I want to remember every bit of it, warts and all. At five months and three weeks, I now catalog the daily struggle. And being the positive person I am, I also am pointing out the upside of it all.
1. I can no longer bend over at the waist for any reason, and yet I find myself constantly having to pick up everything--toys, things I drop--off the floor (see #3). Not only do I miss the object I was trying to reach, but instead I get a rush of blood to my head that makes me nearly faint.
The upside: It's a great excuse for a messy house.
2. I cannot get up gracefully from my sofa, which has the firmness of Jello; it's probably like watching a walrus struggle out of the sea, but it has to be done, especially if I have to pee.
1. I can no longer bend over at the waist for any reason, and yet I find myself constantly having to pick up everything--toys, things I drop--off the floor (see #3). Not only do I miss the object I was trying to reach, but instead I get a rush of blood to my head that makes me nearly faint.
The upside: It's a great excuse for a messy house.
2. I cannot get up gracefully from my sofa, which has the firmness of Jello; it's probably like watching a walrus struggle out of the sea, but it has to be done, especially if I have to pee.
The upside: Staying put and having someone else do what I was going to do--unless it's time to go pee.
3. Suddenly, I can no longer hold onto more than one thing at a time without dropping at least one of them. Don't expect me to handle fine china, or anything breakable for that matter. And don't expect me to pick it up, either (see #1).
3. Suddenly, I can no longer hold onto more than one thing at a time without dropping at least one of them. Don't expect me to handle fine china, or anything breakable for that matter. And don't expect me to pick it up, either (see #1).
Is there an upside to this?
4. I don't even think about managing more than one thought at a time now. Chaos ensues. Mostly in my head, but to me, that's enough to cause a verbal collision or a brain fart--my thoughts up and vanish in the wind.
4. I don't even think about managing more than one thought at a time now. Chaos ensues. Mostly in my head, but to me, that's enough to cause a verbal collision or a brain fart--my thoughts up and vanish in the wind.
The upside: Everyone forgives me for my thoughtlessness. Even when I'm mid-sentence.
5. I can't watch an even slightly sappy or sentimental movie, television show, or commercial without bursting into empathetic tears. The same thing seems to happen when I'm laughing. Don't ask me why. And I can't even mention things that annoy me. Let's just say that now I fully understand the need for a 3 day waiting period to buy a gun.
5. I can't watch an even slightly sappy or sentimental movie, television show, or commercial without bursting into empathetic tears. The same thing seems to happen when I'm laughing. Don't ask me why. And I can't even mention things that annoy me. Let's just say that now I fully understand the need for a 3 day waiting period to buy a gun.
The upside: People are always asking how I'm feeling. Coincidence?
6. I can't stay awake one minute past 10:30 pm, or asleep one minute past 7 am.
6. I can't stay awake one minute past 10:30 pm, or asleep one minute past 7 am.
The upside: 8 hours of sleep a night, minus the 3 am pee break.
The downside: All those forgotten thoughts come to me during that 3 am pee break.
7. I can't walk, sit, or stand comfortably for more than five minutes. I can't carry a basket of laundry or anything large anymore: it just doesn't mold well to my watermelon belly.
7. I can't walk, sit, or stand comfortably for more than five minutes. I can't carry a basket of laundry or anything large anymore: it just doesn't mold well to my watermelon belly.
The upside: Everyone always asks if I need help.
8. I expect to forget at least one thing every day: an item at the store, a bill to be paid, and errand to run, a phone call, an appointment. Every day.
8. I expect to forget at least one thing every day: an item at the store, a bill to be paid, and errand to run, a phone call, an appointment. Every day.
The upside: Everyone is so understanding if I arrive without the promised item or appropriate positive response to: "Did you do so and so today?" I appreciate your patience! I'm sure you'll all get even with me later....
9. Too much or too little activity causes Braxton Hicks contractions, leg cramps breathlessness or light headedness.
9. Too much or too little activity causes Braxton Hicks contractions, leg cramps breathlessness or light headedness.
The upside: foot and leg rubs, back and neck massages, and a very good reason to put my feet up.
10. Everything I eat now causes indigestion.
10. Everything I eat now causes indigestion.
The upside: eating and drinking almost always evokes a response from the little one inside. She kicks, burbles and squirms, which reminds me how worth it all this discomfort is!
Great post. Oh how I remember feeling exactly like this, but soon it will be over and you have a brand new set of 10 (plus a baby).
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