I just read an article on FitPregnancy.com, and thought I'd comment on their list of the top 20 reasons you'll miss about being pregnant. I've cut the article down a bit in some spots. The original is here: http://www.fitpregnancy.com/yourpregnancy/sex_relationships/20-reasons-youll-miss-being-pregnant-40728997.html?page=1
1) having a secret Before anything shows on the outside, you know something's happening on the inside. For the first few months you might look like your same old self, but you know something that no one else does.
Agreed. And knowing the sex when everyone's guessing is an even bigger fun secret! Even though I didn't want to know and won't get that big surprise in the delivery room, I have to admit that it's fun listening while everyone makes their predictions based on my belly.
2) smiles from total strangers Once you start showing, you might be surprised at what a friendly place the world has become. You've joined the sorority, sister, and your stunning silhouette brings smiles, questions and congratulations.
Agreed – partly. I love the smiles and sweet comments… but I won't miss the "wow, you're so big already!" bullshit.
3) naps In our go-go-go world, there may not be another time in your life when you don't have to feel guilty about sneaking in a 30-minute snooze after lunch. In fact, when you're pregnant, naps are practically prescribed. So slumber away blissfully: Soon enough you'll be sleeping on your baby's schedule — in other words, naps may be the only sleep you'll get.
I do love naps, and I will definitely miss being well rested.
4) that rosy glow The pregnant woman's glow might be more myth than reality. You do get some increased blood circulation, but it generally doesn't show on the face.
But just as we're about to cross this off the list, Lichtman offers another explanation. "I do see wonderful smiles and happiness, and that emotion is translated onto the face." Aha — an inner glow. Even better.
I don't think I have a glow – other than the shine on my face from my over-active oil glands. So I won't miss this. I'd like my old, acne-free skin back.
5) calories, calories, calories Women can eat more during pregnancy because they're eating for two. The exact number of calories will depend on how active you are and what your metabolic rate is. If you play your cards right, you can potentially extend this benefit for another year or so by nursing your baby — you'll need the extra calories to produce all that milk.
I love not really thinking about what I'm eating. I'm eating well and pretty healthy (I've never drank so much milk in my life1), but I don't say no to sweets and bread like I used to. This is the first summer where I haven't been on South Beach in a long time, and man, am I ever loving the fruit.
6) the anticipation There's a certain excitement in looking forward to events — it allows us to extend and savor our enjoyment of them. The anticipation phase is pure enjoyment It's like waiting for Christmas.
Agreed! And along with that, I can't wait for baby's first Christmas, complete with a newly monogrammed stocking and presents under the tree from Santa!
7) indulging your cravings sans guilt It's important for pregnant women to listen to what their bodies want. A woman may be craving a food that is high in a nutrient she really needs.
This is your very own pregnancy, and you get to indulge whatever cravings your hormones concoct. Mangoes? Chocolate chip cookies? Steak? Go for it.
I haven't been having any 'typical' pregnancy cravings, but as I said above, I'm really loving the summer of guilt-free fruit!
8) feeling special The humdrum of daily routine can suck the feeling-specialness out of the best of us. But is there anything more special than creating life? "Making a person!" Nothing humdrum about that.
It is pretty incredible – I mean, I have a tiny human growing INSIDE MY UTERUS!!!
9) being the center of attention Pregnancy may be the last time in a long while that you are the center of attention. Once they have the baby, so many women are so instantly wrapped up in — and overwhelmed by — caring for their infant that they immediately forget the recent experience of being pregnant. Also, the outside world pays attention to you when you're pregnant and to the baby once it's born.
Yes and no. It's great to an extent, but sometimes I'd just like to walk through the halls at work and not have everyone stare at my belly and start speculating about the gender based on how high I'm carrying.
10) the shopping New clothes for you. New clothes for baby. New furniture, new gadgets, new linens. Yellow and green if you don't know, pink or blue if you do. Socks smaller than your pinkie finger, whimsical hats with ears attached. Just remember that you do still have to save for college.
I can't wait to really shop for the little brownie! As soon as we have the house (and Nick signs another contract), let the baby shopping begin!
11) tiny hiccups & big kicks There is simply no substitute for the wonder of feeling your child move inside you. Ultrasounds are wondrous but distant meetings with your unborn child. It's that first squirm in your belly that signals a personal hello.
The first time your baby has the hiccups after she's born will be a sweet yet sad reminder of what you used to feel inside.
I will miss that, for sure. I haven't felt hiccups yet, but I can only imagine how unreal that will be!
12) being taken care of You're led to the front of the line, the door is cheerily opened for you, and your sweetie even offers to bring you a snack and rub your feet. Isn't this the way life should be? So what if it isn't PC — it sure is fun. Let's face it, after your baby's born, you will be the one carrying the bundle and wiping up messes wherever you go.
Nick definitely enjoys the expectant mother parking more than I do, and I'm pretty self-sufficient overall. But ya, I'll admit that I like getting the special treatment.
13) all that motivation When pregnant, you're motivated like never before — you watch what you eat, eliminate unhealthful habits, get plenty of rest and stay physically active. "Pregnancy is a good opportunity for a woman to develop a sound nutrition plan and healthy habits for the rest of her life," Kundrat says. Cutting your daily dose of caffeine, eliminating artificial sweeteners and increasing your water intake are all smart moves for baby. If you can stick with them, these better habits will serve you well for years to come.
Eh, I guess.
14) fabulous follicles Some women will get thicker hair during pregnancy and some won't, says Shangold. (Changing hormone levels can synchronize hair growth so it is all in the same phase, meaning more hairs might be on your head at a given time.) Like everything else on the list, enjoy it while it lasts.
I haven't experienced this at all – my hair is exactly the same as it was before – except that now I seem to be growing fine hairs on my belly too, which I will be glad to get rid of!
15) who cares if your clothes fit? This may be the only time in your life when you're supposed to expand like a balloon. But don't use that as an excuse to inflate beyond reason: A steady, gradual and not too extreme weight gain is advised during pregnancy.
Agreed – It was so liberating being in the Bahamas in the maternity bathing suit, knowing that my belly isn't supposed to be flat! But…. I do miss feeling thin, and rolling over in bed easily. And having pajama pants that fit.
16) you're never alone Of course, you will have your bundle of joy when it's all over and done with. But sharing your body with your child provides an intimacy unmatched by any other relationship.
Um, I guess?
17) a better body image Pregnancy brings countless changes to your body. Paying attention to the nuances of that child growing inside you means you'll feel everything from your breath to your belly with new appreciation. A lot of people are more aware of their bodies during pregnancy. But, some women are not so happy with the way their bodies change. "It would be nice if all pregnant women would think of the pregnant body as being beautiful," she says.
I feel pretty good about myself – until people speculate that I must be almost full-term. Jerks. But otherwise, it's been fun!
18) having pregnancy as an excuse Forgot where you parked? That's OK — you're pregnant. Need to walk slowly? That's OK — you're pregnant. Just want to sit and daydream? Of course you do — you're pregnant. Behaviour that raises eyebrows in "real life" seems universally excused for now.
Funny – YES.
19) the newness of it all When was the last time you were truly surprised? Or experienced something completely new? In this day of Internet information, television, fax and instant everything, there isn't much wonder left in the world. Until you become pregnant, that is. For 40 weeks, almost every day brings something new. In a way, both you and your baby are experiencing a birth.
I am really enjoying this – every week is a new milestone. Everything is new and exciting!
20) taking part in the miracle of life
It sounds like a cliché — until it happens to you. During the course of your pregnancy, it's hard not to marvel at the little bit of destiny growing inside you and follow its progress with acute interest: two cells, then four, then eight. The size of a pea, then a peanut. A heartbeat, fingers, toes. Inside you. Inside you.
Seriously. Yes. How can my uterus grow a person?? Honestly?? That's freaking mental, and it's awesome.
