The Mommy Diaries: Pregnancy Woes & Wonders By Emily Eileen Carter
Dear “Little Man,” my 22ay you’re a boy at We found out Frid ll be a fun mom for a wi week ultrasound. I ures, you lots of advent e is om pr I y. little bo e not to is om days, and I pr rough and tumble uddy. We are so excited m get mad if you get t you! It was so amazing ee m to it wa t n’ and ca just you have grown in ad, to see how rapidly he , et fe little hands, sixteen weeks, your heart beating. My heart y and bones, your tin tched you on the wa leapt with joy as we fe is such a miracle! I Li . ultrasound screen y. pp ha am so peace, ntinue to grow in I pray for you to co health. love, strength and Love, Mom
During
pregnancy, the second trimester is often referred to as “The Honeymoon Trimester,” as the nausea and fatigue of the first trimester subsides, and the discomforts of later pregnancy have not set in. Fortunately for me, my fatigue and nausea did wane, and I was lucky to experience the return of most of my normal energy level. For the first time in three months, I stopped feeling as if I had been run over by a Mack truck. My aversion to coffee and nausea subsided, and my mountain-man appetite returned. Suddenly, I craved protein, sweets, and sushi (the veggie kind) like never before. Needless to say, during this time I was in the middle of transitioning jobs and moving. It was enough to zap anyone’s emotional energy, and the stress weighed heavy on my shoulders; but I made it a point to talk, write, and read to my baby and let him know how important he was to me, no matter how busy and long the days stretched on. As women, we are constantly comparing ourselves to other women, and that doesn’t exclude pregnancy. I tried my best not to scoff at the glowing glamorous pregnant movie stars in People Magazine, not a hair out of place, looking so completely unfazed by the woes of pregnancy. Not only do you compare yourselves to the movie stars, but you compare yourself to other pregnant women. You question your dimensions, how you are carrying your baby, weight gain, how much you are showing; and the hard truth is, it’s absolutely different for every woman. While some women do bask and glow from the love and miracle growing inside them, there are 26 • forsythfamilymagazine.com
many discomforts that women experience that they are often unaware of until they’re actually pregnant. These include, but are not limited to, raging hormones, constipation, gas, indigestion, varicose veins, insomnia, acid reflux and swelling. During my pregnancy, I have treasured this special time to bond with, and feel, this growing miracle inside me, especially those first little kicks! But as my pregnancy progressed (especially into my third trimester), I can attest I have experienced a number of these discomforts. As my belly and body has begun to expand, sleep has become more elusive. I feel like a rotisserie chicken at night, and the blue half-moons under my eyes have grown more apparent. My other big pregnancy foray has been swollen and tender varicose veins. I had to begin wearing support hose in my second trimester, and let me tell you, support hose are no joke. It’s like wrestling an alligator to get those things on each morning. However, when I feel weary or want to whine about these pregnancy woes, I think of my great-grandma who did this twelve times, and the many thousands of women that have done this before me. Though, I must admit the prospect of being a new parent is both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. No matter what, it’s all worth it! I can’t wait to hold my little one in my arms and whisper sweet nothings into his tiny ears. I feel assured these minor discomforts will be forgotten, as I am already abounding with unconditional love for my child and feel so completely blessed.
12-29-13 Dear Little Man,
So the time is growin g near. I can’t believe will get to meet you I and hold you in my arms in just a month. Da ddy and I are doing so many things to prep are for your arrival. We have set up the nurs ery your Auntie gave us with a beautiful crib and are arranging yo changing table and ur tiny clothes. I grow teary hanging tiny little jumpers and folding onesies, thinking of dr kissing your tiny ha essing you and nds. We love you so muc h and can’t wait to ho ld you in our arms! Continue to grow in health, peace and strength. Love, Mom