With less than 40 days until my due date (yes, it is 38 days away, but saying “less than 40” sounds a WHOLE lot cooler)
I’ve been reflecting on how most of my life has changed. Now to all you women who have had babies (particularly to my dearest mother and sister in law Katie who both delivered twins!!! You are both absolutely amazing!) I’m guessing you have war stories that can kick the pants off of mine. So, no sympathy required, just simply logging away the details and entertaining myself (and hopefully a few of you out there as well!)
Sleep
Pre-pregnancy: I’ve never been one to struggle with sleep. Sleeping through the night is what God intended mankind to do, and so I did it. On my belly, back, side, you name it, I could sleep in any position and count on waking up refreshed in the morning
Pregnancy: If you ever had the joy of owning a turtle you have most likely seen that turtle on its back and its valiant attempts to flip itself back upright (and let me take this moment to apologize to Truman, the family turtle, for the times you escaped your tank only to be thwarted in your retreat by landing on your back. Being left to the mercy of some Pennock child to place you back in your home, but only after watching your amazing determination and flexibility for a few pain-staking long minutes was probably not best.)
Cue Lindsay. Flipping from one side to the other while lying down takes the SAME amount of effort as actually getting out of bed and then lying back down on the other side. Maybe even more effort since I make lovely sound effects as a heft my belly from one side to the other.
Getting Ready for the Day
Pre-pregnancy: Lots of options. I have a closet full of clothes that fit, multiple ways to wear my hair, and all the energy in the world to enjoy preparing for the day.
Pregnancy: Between my two pairs of jeans and 5 maternity shirts, a core body temperature of a bazillion degrees (give or a take a few) which no longer allows me to wear my hair down without having it plastered to my head in sweat, and the energy of my 80 year old patient who just went through a total knee surgery, I’d say getting ready hasn’t really happened in a few months…
Potty
Pre-pregnancy: At work we joke that “you know you are a nurse if the only times you pee are at 6 in the morning and 6 at night.” I used to pride myself on my bladder. When we made our annual Mecca out to Utah/Idaho from Michigan, I was never the one that made our car pull over for a pit stop. 28 hours of driving provided all the scenery I could want, no need to add the view of various gas station bathrooms to the itinerary.
Pregnancy: On average I have to get up to go to the bathroom twice a night since my bladder can only expand to the size of a tennis ball. And I only add to this problem since I drink all day long and have yet to quench my incessant thirst. Seriously, no one warned me that I would have to refill my Britta filter at least twice a day to keep up with this unquenchable need for water. I think my baby has a future as a swimmer.
Work
Pre-pregnancy: 12 hour shifts? Piece of cake! I’ve been doing this for almost 3 years now. My body is trained for this!
Pregnancy: Once 2:00 in the afternoon rolls around I may or may not be contemplating asking my patient to scoot over in bed and make room for me. I’d promise I’ll give a double dose of pain meds! :) C’mon, look at these elephant ankles! No soul should be forced to walk on these for another 4 hours!
Weight Gain
Pre-pregnancy: What are a few pounds gained or lost? It’s probably water weight, so no stress!
Pregnancy: What’s wrong with weighing more than your husband? :) And even though the baby probably won’t weigh more than 9 pounds, for some reason the docs say to gain 3 times that.
Marks
Pre-pregnancy: The only marks I’d ever get are freckles in the summer, a bruise after a clumsy mistake, and the occasional zit after a stressful event.
Pregnancy: Oh the lovely stretch marks! To you blessed souls who don’t have them, you are missing out. “Because once you pop the fun don’t stop.” But not just on the belly. Oh no! Be thankful that clothes cover the parts they do, because I know I sure am.
Date Night
Pre-pregnancy: racquetball, hikes, dinner and a movie, and just getting out of the house.
Pregnancy: anything but leaving the house. Mostly just reading out loud and watching the first 10 minutes of a movie before falling asleep sums it up nicely.
Eating
Pre-pregnancy: Eat anytime and anything I want. If I woke up and skipped breakfast, not the end of the world. Just eat an extra big lunch, there’s room for my stomach to expand.
Pregnancy: Even though I have been known to have late night snacks with my nightly runs to the porcelain throne, the second I wake up for the day I am famished. Probably from all the energy I expend by trying to turn myself and get comfortable… And as for eating big meals, NO WAY! I haven’t finished a meal at a restaurant for a loooong time. Got to have something to eat at 2 in the morning right?
Cuddle
Pre-pregnancy: used to cuddle with Kyle.
Pregnancy: Cuddle with my pillow under my belly, between my knees, and one behind my back. Don’t worry; I still wave over my mountain of fabric so he knows I care.
Dishes
Pre-pregnancy: Put them off as long as possible.
Pregnancy: Put them off as long as possible.
And I guess with that said, not everything has changed, just a lot of non-important things. I’m sure baby cakes will be worth all these changes and bring a few of his/her own.
