By Anna Gracia of TheSnarkyReviewer.com
A recent survey of new moms showed divisions over which aspects of pregnancy they most enjoyed. Though “enduring frequent reminders at the doctor’s office to gain no more than 35 pounds” was a popular choice, it was outstripped by more glamorous options such as “abstaining from alcohol,” “leaking pee while sneezing,” and “being asked if their pregnancy was ‘planned.’”
As one mom puts it, “I love how majestic I felt with my larger body. My husband and I went to the beach when I was eight months pregnant, and he told me I reminded him of a manatee. Manatees were once believed to be mermaids. I felt like a goddess when he told me that.” After a pause, “I might have been slightly offended if he had called me a whale, but a svelte sea cow? I couldn’t wait to get back into that swimsuit.”
Another mom notes the unintended benefit of lingering varicose veins: “My toddler just adores using the lines snaking down the back of my legs as a racetrack for his toy cars. It’s a great activity for him while I prop up my swollen ankles!”
For Maria Gonzales, all the physical side effects have been the key to bringing her and her husband closer together. “Before, we would sometimes run out of things to talk about from our day. But now, I’ve got hemorrhoids, constipation, bloating, acid reflux, morning sickness, cramps—you name it. Even though I’m on bed rest and my days might seem boring, I always have something to talk about over dinner.”
Ling Xiang has a different take. “I really appreciate the sense of community my pregnancy brings. Not only do strangers at the supermarket rub my belly and predict how many babies I’m carrying and when I might ‘pop,’ but I just love how fellow restaurant patrons look out for dangerous foods I might eat.”
She explains that, thanks to her local barista, she is no longer consuming coffee or even tea because he caringly explained all the possible side effects of caffeine on the developing fetus. “My next-door neighbor also told me to beware of mangoes. She doesn’t actually have kids of her own, but I’m sure she’s done research on the matter, so I’m going to trust her judgment.”
Other moms highlighted the more nuanced side effects of pregnancy. “I am grateful my mother-in-law is so concerned with when I’m having my next baby,” Caroline Welseley coos. “It makes me feel like she’s really invested in being a grandmother.” At only 4 months pregnant, Welseley is carrying the first grandchild on her partner’s side of the family.
“I can completely understand she’s anxious to have a baseball team’s worth of kids, as she has repeatedly told us.” Though Welseley has mentioned to her in-laws their intention to have only one child, she welcomes their repeated questioning. “How could we possibly know what I want at this point? Their opinions and desires will obviously help my partner and I clarify our reproductive decisions in the future.”
Architect Jacqueline Spears appreciates how much her pregnancy has brought out her coworkers’ maternal and paternal instincts. “Hearing the other associates whisper about how they wish they were having babies so they could go on leave just reminds me how lucky I am to be having a child —everyone wants one!”
Spears says she feels no apprehension about the effect her time off will have on her career and is certain the partners at the firm will admire her dedication to exclusive breastfeeding for the first year of her baby’s life. “I’m sure my clients will be more than understanding if I have to reschedule a meeting or two so I can pump or pick up my daughter from daycare,” she states with confidence.
Preeta Singh sums it all up by saying, “I am just so happy to be pregnant, which is great since that’s all anyone seems to talk to me about. And every time someone says, ‘Don’t you just love being pregnant?’ I get to exclaim, ‘Yes!’” She continues, “Even if there were one or two things I didn’t love so much, like people criticizing the names we’ve already chosen or not being able to take any sort of medication because my baby’s comfort and health always comes before my own, I’m sure most people would find them trivial in comparison to the miracle of life I’m growing.”
A version of this article was previously published in the March issue of GGMG Magazine.
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About the Author
Anna Gracia was a CPA and a teacher in her former life. She is now a writer and tennis coach because she apparently never wants to be rich. She runs the movie review and commentary website TheSnarkyReviewer.com. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.