I'm practically Kim K
Growing a human is by far one of the most incredible experiences a woman can have. The butterflies of feeling your baby move for the first time. The tiny hands and feet that push your belly from the inside. The hiccups that make you giggle. It's all so sweet, and magical, and exciting, and exhausting, and sickening, and horrible. Oh wait. What just happened? That's right. Reality. Now I know women who honestly love every bit of pregnancy. I have a theory that there is something in these women's genes that is meant to be carried on. Pregnancy is delightful for them so they will continue to reproduce. According to my own theory, my genes are happy right where they are and would prefer not to be touched.
I was nauseous morning, noon and night for the first 19 weeks. I didn't vomit a single time, although I felt like I was on the verge all day long. In fact, I wished that I could vomit because I was convinced that it would bring some sort of temporary relief. My husband was recently sick and was very nauseous for about an hour. He turned to me and said, "You have no idea how debilitating this is." Oh, really? In his defense, he tried to swallow the words as they flew from his mouth. He knew he had barked up the wrong sympathy tree. That's the thing about nausea though. As an outsider you can't see it, so you think suck it up and get on with your day. It really is, in the words of my husband, "debilitating."
As if the nausea wasn't enough, add extreme fatigue to the table. I had to quit working and would feel accomplished if I could get my dog to the curb to pee. Getting dressed was an all day event and sometimes didn't happen. Why was it so exhausting to grow a baby when it was only the size of a pea? And then I remembered the placenta. Not only was I growing a human, I was growing a new organ to support that human. Apparently that took all my energy and then some. My husband would get home after a hard day of work and I would feel awful knowing that I hadn't moved from the couch since that morning. When he would ask what I did that I day, I would simply reply, "I grew a human."
Fatigue and nausea would be enough for any person to throw in the towel, but why not sprinkle the experience with hormone swings, sore breasts, constipation, a constant urge to pee, hating the smell of almost everything, only stomaching beige carbs, and bloating? Did I mention this is only the first trimester? No wonder Kim Kardashian called it the worst experience of her life. I feel you Kim. I feel you. It is so strange to feel imprisoned by your own body. Now don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful that I was able to get pregnant and carry a healthy beautiful baby. I am beyond blessed and I don't take any of that for granted, but it's also important to be honest about the experience so other women know that they are not alone.
A friend of mine is currently in the trenches, and she called me crying yesterday. She is so nauseas and so tired she can't even function. I cried with her. It triggered that first trimester for me. Why does it have to be so hard for some? I reassured her that feeling this sick is usually a good sign of a healthy baby, which does alleviate some of the worry that comes with being a mother, but it does nothing for the physical. So if you know someone who is pregnant and having a hard time, go to her house and clean it for her. Take her dog to the curb, and brush her teeth. Don't wear perfume, or bring food into the house unless it's a chocolate peanut butter shake. Offer to watch her other children for an afternoon, or binge watch her favorite show with her. Be a friend.
How about you? Are you one of the lucky women who is supposed to spread their genes far and wide, or are you on team Kim K with me?