Twenty-nine weeks sober pregnant, and still no complaints!
Okay, that’s a lie.
I admit for the most part I’ve had a wonderful pregnancy, and if it weren’t for that pesky “no alcohol” rule I’d happily be pregnant forever–but there are a few things I’ve noticed that aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. Starting with a conversation G & I had the other day:
G: What’s that spot on your shirt?
D (looking down): Where?
G (pointing): Right there.
D: What are you talking about? I don’t see anything.
G walked up to me, put his finger on the spot toward the bottom of my shirt and said, “Right there.”
I looked down to where he pointed, and still didn’t see anything.
And then it hit me.
Oh. My. God. My belly has an under-side.
WHEN THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN??
As I’m digesting this blow straight to my gut, a second one hits me just as hard: “I CAN’T SEE MY TOES!” I yell to G. “If I look straight down, they’re completely gone. I have to lean forward to see them!!”
Ah yes, the first big shock of my pregnancy. I’ve been expecting it–hell, I’ve been downright in love with my growing belly–but it still threw me for a loop. There’s a difference between knowing it and actually having it happen to YOU.
Speaking of surprises, it turns out my body is growing more body parts than just the ones my daughter needs. I am now the owner of two chins–a little addition I’m not too happy about, and only recently noticed when looking through pictures from my trip to Alabama last month. My face has always betrayed me and showed the signs of weight gain faster than any other part of my body. It turns out pregnancy weight is no different.
Speaking of things only recently noticed while looking through pictures: I have back fat.
Moving on! Symptoms and side-effects which are less of a surprise and have pretty much been with me since I peed on the stick include bad skin and the feeling that I’m losing my mind. Let’s start with the skin. I’ve always had great skin–the kind that friends and facialists compliment. Hell, I’ve even had strangers in the grocery store stop to ask me what kinds of products I use. Well not anymore. My face now has these red splotchy spots, and my cheeks are pretty much constantly pimply. Luckily I don’t have any full-blown acne (yet) but this is bad enough!
Next up–losing my mind. This has got to be the hardest adjustment I’ve had with pregnancy. Prior to being pregnant I was always on top of things. Super organized. Excellent memory. You want to know who agreed to do what at that meeting we had a year ago? I was your girl. Do we have any plans the third Thursday two months from now? I wouldn’t even need to consult my calendar. But now? NOW? Forget about it. I can’t even tell you which day of the week it is without glancing at my cell phone. Correction: Without glancing at my cell phone three times before it actually registers what I’ve just read. A few months ago I was running errands on the other side of town and couldn’t find Target. Target, people–TARGET! I’ve been to that Target hundreds of times, but on this day its location alluded me. It’s like I had lost the signal to the Mother Ship! I drove around the same little section of town for 15 minutes (too embarrassed to call and ask for directions) before I finally decided that that particular Target must have closed down and been changed into a completely different type of store that made the building formerly identified as Target totally unrecognizable.
And while I’m complaining, let me just add that I hate sleeping on my side. I suck at it. Sleeping on your back is bad for the baby and could cut off her blood supply–but it’s the only position I want to sleep in! I used to be such a good little side sleeper and NEVER slept on my back, but a few years ago I started “training” myself to be a back sleeper. (I was worried my face would get wrinkly faster with the sides of it all scrunched up against the pillow at night. It’s all about the vanity, people.) Well my training worked and sleeping on my back has become my favorite and most comfortable sleeping position. But now it’s off-limits. So I’m back to side sleeping, getting wrinklier by the night, ON TOP OF all the grey hairs that sprout every time I wake up to find I’ve rolled onto my back, potentially cutting off blood supply to my poor child! Right now this is my only problem with sleeping at night. It’s not that I’m uncomfortable. Or that I have to get up multiple times to pee. IT’S THIS DAMN SIDE SLEEPING!
So there you have it–the (current) woes of my pregnancy.
Re: sleeping on your back, my midwife told me that you will feel uncomfortable and move long before it’s a danger to the baby, no matter how you sleep – nature’s defence mechanism, I guess. (She told me this when I asked if it’s safe that I was sleeping on my front and did so throughout both pregnancies.)
I feel you…
I see that you are a few weeks behind me and sadly, it just gets worse. The only thing that I hate is that my skin now gone completely crazy and hormornal. Everyone told me it wouldn’t probably go away after the first trimester, but it’s still still here…blotchiness and all!
I put a feather pillow under my belly and one behind my back so, you are not completly on your back–yet not on the side~~I loved it soooo much that I still sleep that way–10 years after my most recent pregnancy. The sacrifices you make~~~glad to hear that all else is well!!
Pregnancy Brain takes a few months to wear off, and I’m not sure the child ever gives your entire brain function back to you.
Also, I’m a fan of pillow-propping to help keep you on your side. I did that too.
*sigh* it does just get worse. I am 38 1/2 weeks right now and the peeing just get more and more frequent and annoying and then at week 37 you begin getting the phone called from EVERYONE asking how you are progressing. Like I am going to forget to call them when i go into labor or something. just recently they are asking how dilated I am. Do they know what body part they are asking me about? Seriously? LOL You’ll get through it though. -Katie
I too was going to suggest pillows. Never been pregnant, but did have breast augmentation about a year ago. Sleeping was very difficult and VERY uncomfortable. I too used the half-on-my-side-half-on-my-back position the pp mentioned and it worked great.
I’m just ITCHING to comment on this post. You are right–there are definite woes to pregnancy. They completely fade into memory by the way, but it inspired me to dig up this pregnancy brain post on my blog: http://adventure-gal.blogspot.com/2009/01/not-myth-of-pregnancy-pregnancy-brain.html. Enjoy!
Also–I noticed with my own body that my back would gain fat just before a big belly growth spurt. It was like my body was prepping the skin and fat to accomodate the belly. I had very few stretch marks, and maybe the back fat is the reason why? Silver lining!
A few weeks ago my hubby commented that I’m probably going to spend my entire pregnancy with something on my shirt that I couldn’t see because of the belly. He said it was ok, though, because he thinks it’s cute That made me laugh.
Good morning. I’m jumping on the bandwagon and say that pillow-propping did help quite a bit.
I’ve been pregnant twice and the first time when I had my son, my skin was radiant, no stretch marks and no blemishes. The second time around…completely different story, my face was a mess. Personally, I think girls steal the Mother’s beauty. It’ll go back to normal (can’t promise how soon) but it will.
BTW, you are very stunning.
lol — poor thing! That’s a whole lot of adjusting to do! Hang in there!
Hang in there, and just imagine how all this will be worth it when you have your new baby!
I totally feel you! I’m almost 30 weeks and I haven’t had a full nights sleep in 2 weeks. I hate side sleeping too! I even have all the fancy pillows and it doesn’t help.
I’ve offically moved to sleeping on a recliner to get (close to ) a full night’s sleep.
The chins and back fat! Yup got that too! Grrrr…..
But at least we only have 10 more weeks to go. š
~crystal
Nuts – I wish being pregnant was my excuse for being a space cadet…or peeing a lot…or having a pooch…but sadly I have no excuse.
BTW, I really enjoy reading your blog. This is my first time commenting!
Hey, been a reader for awhile, first time commenter. Have to say that I was really glad to read this post – not because you feel bad (sorry) but because every other post about pregnancy was how great it was, and I HATE being pregnant! So I was wondering what was wrong with me. I’m only 14 weeks along, but with our second, so I know ALL about it!!!! I’m a stomach-sleeper and I remember finally getting to sleep on my stomach again after I had our daughter and how blissful it was. Trust me, sleep will come again. I also remember a month or two after delivery actually feeling like my old self again – good, strong, and energetic, and it’s a good reminder to me (and maybe you too!) that this too shall pass.
D, this post cracked me up.
Don’t you know that’s what happens when you cross the Alabama state line? You automatically grow a double chin (or two?) It’s our dirty little secret that we keep from you Yankees up there in the Great White North.
At least you have fabulous hair and nails! For now… HA!!
:unsure
I hear you D on all your complaints. The forgetfulness is the worst, especially when it rears it’s ugly head at work. I think my boss thinks I am turning into such a flake!!! Hang in there, only one more trimester to go!
Karen
LOL. You crack me up. Welcome to mommy brain. Oh, how I was sharp as a tack before mommyhood. Now I can barely finish a sentence.
You’ve just reminded me how uncomfortable sleeping became in that last trimester, especially for a belly sleeper like me.
I am loving watching you go through this process. Can’t wait to meet your offspring !
And FYI – I drank champagne in celebration about 1hour after my kid was born. It was awesome.
Ugh, I can so relate–and I’m only 12 weeks! Monday as I got in my car after work (with cell phone in one hand and keys in the other), I tried to put the phone in the ignition and the key in my ear. Yeah. Pg hormones make you super smart…
I can definitely imagine the sleeping positions being hard to change. Most of the time I’m a side sleeper however there have been nights that I’ve only been able to fall asleep because I was on my stomach or my back. And it’s so hard to control after you’ve fallen asleep!
Thanks for all the pillow tips for sleeping everyone! I have a body pillow that I use now, but I will try to incorporate some of your tips and hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks everyone!
@Jen M–That’s a relief to know. Thanks!
@Anonymous/Katie–You’re warding off dialiation questions? Oh you poor girl, lol! I’m not there yet, but will be soon enough!
@Kelsey–That post was too funny, thanks for sharing! I also very much like your theory about back fat and will be crossing my fingers it holds true for me as well.
@Sabrina–Thank you so much; that was so sweet of you to say!
@Roses/Crystal–You’re sleeping on a recliner? Oh my goodness, that does not sound comfortable! But it sounds like you’re at least getting some sleep now, so that’s good. Good luck with the next 10 weeks!
@Sarah–Hi, and thanks for leaving your first comment!
@Anonymous–Thanks for your first comment, too! I always had a feeling I would love being pregnant and that’s really been the truth. For the most part it’s been a breeze, but like I said, it hasn’t ALL been sunshine and rainbows, lol! I’m happy to hear you felt like your old self a month or two after delivery–that gives me hope! Congrats on your second pregnancy–I hope it goes well (and quickly) for you!
@Beth–Well damn girl, had I known that I may not have came, lol!
@CG–Champagne after the delivery? You’re a girl after my own heart!
@Sarah–LOL! Yep, sounds like baby brain for sure!