Tips for the Pregnant Woman

When I found out I was pregnant I did what most women do. I got a copy of What To Expect When You're Expecting and devoured it as my months progressed. While this book among others did help me on most levels, it didn't prepare for absolutely everything. And quite honestly no piece of literature out there can prepare you for everything that you may experience during your very own pregnancy and even if something did you can bet the page length would rival a Harry Potter novel. So in the interest of helping fellow soon to be mommies, here are a few pieces of advice and tips I'd wish I'd had.

1) You May Always Be Tired
I was told after the first trimester you would get your energy back. I looked forward to this as during said trimester I was always tired. Everyone told me from friends who had been pregnant to all the books I read that the second trimester was a beacon for suddenly waking and feeling refreshed.
I was lied to. I was exhausted during my entire pregnancy. Any spare moment I had I was napping or at the very least laying down. Now while it could be argued that this was because my job was physically demanding (I worked in child care at the time) but whatever the case I wanted to sleep all the time. It may not be this way for you but if it is don't be alarmed. It doesn't mean somethings wrong with you or baby it just means that your pregnancy is going to make you want to sleep all the time. And on this level listen to all the advice givers and get your rest. You don't know when you will have the opportunity to rest like that again.

2) Warning! Extreme Emotions Ahead
I know that emotions and hormones run wild when you're pregnant. But I had only seen weepy females and had expected to be more sensitive and susceptible to bouts of crying. Quite the opposite. I got mad and I got mad very quickly. I've always had a temper but usually I had a pretty long fuse. During my pregnancy I snapped at the smallest offense and any offense at all. I yelled at the children a lot more at work and my husband received the brunt of my anger. One of the worst things about this was that I knew I was completely nuts and taking things to the extreme but that didn't stop my anger. You may be like me or like a close friend of mine who was extremely weepy; from what I see though whichever way you lean it's going to be extreme so figure out which one it is and warn your loved ones.
A side note; even though I got angry a lot quicker I did cry as a lot as well (so I had the best of both worlds). If you are like that avoid the following: anything having to do with pregnancies or delivers that can go wrong (such as a personal guilty pleasure the show Private Practice), movies like The Notebook or The Green Mile and anything else that might make you cry. You will be pretty much inconsolable leaving the father of the baby in a bad spot since he can't help you because you're going to cry no matter what.

3) The Tests
You would think that after the pregnancy test that you would be done but you are nowhere near. You have to get your urine tested at every single doctor's visit you have to get your blood tested and then there is the ultimately fun glucose test. This will occur sometime in your second trimester and it involves a long doctor's visit so bring a good book. They will have you drink this extremely sweet drink (usually orange flavored but apparently it also comes in Coke flavor as well) and have to wait an hour for them to draw your blood. This tests to see if you have gestational diabetes and making sure your sugar level is alright. This drink is awful and it will make you want to throw it all right back up no matter what flavor they give you. Honestly; when the nurse has to tell you to let her know if you are going to vomit so she can get the blood first you know it's going to be horrible. If you are/were prone to morning sickness (which thankfully I wasn't) be warned; this may bring it back.
There are also tests to take that are optional such as the test to see if your baby has any birth irregularities such as Downs Syndrome. These are completely optional and only take them if you can handle the news if it turns out to be bad. Other than that just be prepared to have to pee and be poked a lot.

4) Do What's Best For You
Whether they admit it or not your friends are still going to expect you to be the old you instead of the pregnant you and don't understand what you're going through. They will get upset if you don't want to go out or even (gasp!!) back out of plans because you are suddenly too tired. Yes this is selfish but sadly until they're pregnant and going through pretty much the same thing (friends with children will of course be completely understanding) there's not much you can do about their attitude. However, do not let anyone make you feel guilty for not going out and resting when you're tired. You have to deal with all the consequences your actions will have on your baby and believe me by the time you can feel the move they notice a difference between being in bed at 11 and being at a friend's playing games and then you're stuck with the new flurry of activity during that time frame even after you go back to your normal routine. You know what's best for you and your unborn child and your friends will either get over it or they weren't good friends to begin with. Stand by what you want to do and make sure your partner does the same because it's a lot easier staying inside against going out with party friends when your partner supports you. And for what it's worth realize karma is a bitch and that when they're pregnant and going through the same thing then they'll feel bad for all the guilt trips they gave you for staying inside.

5) Realize It's Not All About You Anymore
That should go without saying but sometimes it's hard to accept. Once your stick reads positive your life changes. You are going to have to sacrifice things from now on and it will be a lot easier if you don't spend your entire pregnancy whining about how you can't drink anymore or can't eat certain seafood (although a little whining is acceptable. I was 8 months pregnant on New Year's Eve and that sucked). Get use to these changes because once baby comes they don't stop. You sacrifice sleep to help them calm down; you sacrifice family outings because baby is sick and you don't want to risk it getting worse; you sacrifice going out even more because you don't have the time/inclination/money to hire a babysitter and go out. Your child depends on you and instead of bemoaning all you have to give up, think how much it will help your baby and realize that some sacrifices aren't forever such as social activities. Your children get to be a certain age and you will be switching up babysitting duties (or sleepovers) with their friend's parents. Other sacrifices such as drinking and what you can eat should end after the delivery depending on if you're breastfeeding or not. Plus you have a baby now and even though the sacrifices sometimes suck they're worth it.

Every pregnancy is different; you may be the Energizer Bunny or a sloth like I was. Your emotions may stay stable and sane. These are just some things I wanted to know or wanted more advice on (especially about that nasty ass orange drink). If you have any concerns that something isn't normal ask your doctor it's what you pay him for and it's what he's there for. Trust in the idea that they've pretty much heard it all. And above all be happy being pregnant. Even if you're completely miserable and on bed rest your entire pregnancy the light at the end of the tunnel is a baby who will love and adore you. As cliched as it sounds the first time they smile at you, recognize you, and reach for you makes everything you've been through worth it.

Have a happy pregnancy.