The best and the worst!

Why pregnancy is for the birds . . .

1. Your boobs, they get bigger. This is good news for you small breasted ladies like me and not so much if they are already huge. However, along with this growth comes extra veins and sensitivity. Sorry fellas, these gals are off limits. And don’t even get me started on what they look like post baby/breastfeeding!
2. Nothing fits. Nothing. Your pants, shirts, underwear, bras, even your shoes and your husband’s XL t-shirts.
3. Discharge. Lots of it. Enough said.
4. If you drop something on the floor, it stays there until someone else picks it up and most likely, that isn’t going to happen. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to pick up once your baby arrives. Not.
5. There is no room for modesty. Your vagina basically becomes public property.
6. Braxton Hicks contractions . . . they’re just mean. Especially at the end when you really want to be in labor but they keep teasing you.
7. Your need to pee will be insane. The tiniest dribble will come out. Repeat 25 times a day.
8. Rolling over, standing up, and sitting are uncomfortable, even painful. You can forget about crossing your legs. Laying on your side is the only way to go and unfortunately, you can’t spend your entire day like this.
9. Carrying other children becomes increasingly difficult. First there’s the bending over to pick them up. Then, you no longer have hips so where do they sit? And their legs, do they go above the belly or below the belly? Help!
10. You will experience a level of tired in the first and third trimesters that can only be matched by having a newborn.

Why pregnancy is truly miraculous . . .

1. You are literally growing a human being in your body. Nothing is more amazing than that.
2. Hearing your baby’s heartbeat every month at the doctor’s office is like magic. These visits remind me of the miracle and help me focus on my purpose.
3. Your husband will likely think you are a goddess (and he’s right!). It can be a truly special and sacred time between two people who love each other.
4. Foot rubs mama! Get ’em while you can; like at least every single night.
5. Feeling your baby move inside your belly is about the coolest thing on earth.
6. Getting to rest, guilt free.
7. Giving in to food cravings, within reason. Cravings are your body’s way of telling you what it needs. Don’t feel bad about eating that ice cream – you might need the calcium!
8. Pregnancy is a time for leaning in. I’ve always felt the need to focus on myself and my family and let the rest go.
9. In fairness this could be on both lists, you have the perfect excuse to get out of any obligations (good or bad) . . . the “obligation” to look nice and wear clothes that fit. The “obligation” to stay up late hanging out with your husband or friends. Admittedly, at the end of nine months, I am pretty ready to wear my regular clothes and hang out as long as I want with friends while enjoying a cold beverage but I can also appreciate the slow down and hibernate side of pregnancy.
10. People are genuinely nice to pregnant ladies. I can’t even tell you how many people have looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Take care of yourself” with all the sincerity in the world.