Before I start my bitching let me say I am so thankful to be pregnant, a day doesn't go by that I don't thank God for this sweet baby girl growing inside of me. Pregnancy is such a blessing and my heart goes out to any of you that are still struggling to get pregnant, I know what that feels like. It is amazing what our bodies do to accommodate the babies growing inside of us. It is a powerful feeling to know that you have housed and grown a baby for 9 months (really 10 but who is counting but us preggos).
I don't think Matt will ever fully understand the extent of how taxing being pregnant is on my body. Half of the time he looks at my stomach in fear and I know he is thinking is that really going to get bigger? Pregnancy is hard as shit and I don't believe anyone that says otherwise. You do have a short time period in the second trimester when you feel good and like yourself but that quickly fades once you reach the third trimester.
This pregnancy has most definitely been harder on my body, as I am sure any subsequent pregnancy is. I was very nauseous the whole first trimester. Now, I am beyond uncomfortable. Every time I sneeze I wet my pants. My boobs officially touch my stomach. The backs of my legs are covered in so many varicose veins it looks like someone beat me. Not only are they disgusting to look at they are painful if I am on my feet for too long.
Case and point; I actually just got fitted for support hose. They are that bad. Any tips for bad veins? Will they go away after? I had zero veins with Sterling so this all new to me.
I pee about 5-6 times every night. Poor Matt may never get a full night sleep because he has to hear me get up to pee every hour. I think the peeing is getting us used to being up all night with a newborn because I have not had a good nights sleep in ages. I get out of breath walking up 3 stairs, heck I am out breath just getting Sterling out of the car sometimes. I feel so much pressure in my back and groin it feels like this baby is going to pop out. I am beyond exhausted, having a busy 3 year old makes pregnancy that much harder. I am in bed most nights by 8. I have no social life, I am a hermit when I am pregnant. I would rather lie in bed than go out to dinner.
Oh and the drinking. I miss martinis and wine like crazy. I can not wait to have a vodka drink. I also miss my skinny jeans. I have about 10 outfits that still fit me right and I am just rotating between them. I refuse to buy new clothes til after I lose the baby weight!
I am starting to get major anxiety about delivering this baby which is funny because it is my second time you would think I would be more chill. But I think I am more scared this time because I know exactly what to expect, last time I was in the dark. Hospitals give me anxiety. I just pray everything goes smoothly.
All of these pains and fears are trivial and I know they are totally worth it to birth a healthy baby but I just want to say pregnancy is hard. I think the last month or two is the hardest because you are so uncomfortable. I admire any and everyone of you women who have gone thru this and especially ones who have carried multiples. I think the men in our lives will never fully understand the extent of pregnancy and how much our bodies change over 9 months. Pregnancy ain't easy, but once you hold that sweet baby in your arms for the first time you forget everything you went through. You just cherish that sweet child that you welcomed into the world and realize what a miracle pregnancy and childbirth is.
Ok, ranting is done. Go enjoy your Fridays. I will be not drinking and in bed by 8:)
52 comments:
I didn't love being pregnant, and people who say they do are liars. :-)
Love this post! SO honest and true! Compression hoes should help with the veins- but you may want to ask your doctor at your next appointment about them. They could get worse/cause more problems if not watched.
Thank you for being honest, it's definitely not an easy journey, and people make it out like it's always this blissfully beautiful thing! But my title would have to be "Motherhood, it aint for the weary"...because as you know, it's hard, really hard, and the more kids you add, the harder it gets. Being a SAHM mom is very monotonous, draining, and a constant 24/7 job. Some days it would be really liberating to "go to the office" for the day-eat lunch out, pee when you want to in private for that matter, and just not answer the phone if you're not up for it! Ha ha! Can you tell it's been a bad couple of days?!! TGIF!
After a "non functioning" epidural, I have not forgotten what I went through ;), but I've been hoping to go through it all again for over a year now. I'm so sorry about your legs! You are almost there and no one looks as fabulous as you preggo!
Girl, I feel you! I think I'm a couple of weeks behind you but I feel equally exhausted and drained. I'm working up until the baby is born and I don't know how I'm going to make it some days... waking up at 6am is becoming impossible!
We went on our hospital tour recently at East Cooper and I think that definitely increased my anxiety about the birth. This is our first so I have no clue what to expect, but I kind of prefer to be in the dark for now :)
With the veins, the hose should definitely help. Also, don't sit or stand too long at one time and don't cross your legs, as both those things can make the veins worse. And they say they may go away after, but if not there is a procedure you can get done by either a dermatologist or vascular doctor to get rid of them.
Ugh. I was the worst pregnant woman ever. I can certainly empathize. I hope things don't get worse for you! Those veins look painful. I had to wear compression hose due to severe edema in my legs and feet. Like I said before, ugh. Hang in there!!!!
I have never left a comment on your blog but I wanted to give you hope about your veins. I had REALLY bad varicose veins with my second pregnancy. I was embarrassed when I wore shorts and I was paranoid that they would never go away. My midwife and 'Dr. Google' told me that they might never be completely gone. Have hope because mine went away! Almost immediately they started fading and within a couple months they were gone. Also, my second birth was almost painless and super fast compared to the first. I didn't have any medication because my daughter was born 16 minutes after pulling into the hospital parking lot (I was in labor for 15 hours with my first child). I dare to say that I actually enjoyed her birth. Best of luck!
Word to your mother. You are in the home stretch. Isn't it amazing what your body can do and how it can change? It totally freaks me out when I think about it too much. I agree that it isn't for the weary!!
I LOVED being pregnant the 1st time and hated it the 2nd! It's a million times harder to be pregnant with another little one who needs (and zaps!) your love and attention. I don't think anyone properly warned me but I also think that's part of the reason that we second guess our ability to love that second one as much as the first. (But of course we do the moment we lay eyes on them!) You're SO close and we're all here for you to vent to because Lord knows that men do not get it and never will!
I did not enjoy being pregnant, but you are so right about it being worth it. Best of luck to you; that baby girl will be here before you know it.
Pregnancy is the hardest thing, especially the second time. I swear, with number two, all of the symptoms are about ten times more extreme. As soon as the baby is born you seem to forget it all though. I literally wrote down a list of things I was miserable about so I could look at it when I thought about a third and had delusional thoughts of how great it was being pregnant. Hang in there mama it is almost over and even though delivery is more scary when you know what happens, once it starts it is not scary at all! You're making all the bad parts look very glam :)
I definitely hear you! Am pregnant with my first right now - nearly 18 weeks, and it's been an interesting experience having my body change, feeling the most exceptional exhaustion of my life and other not so fun changes like frequent bathroom trips, etc. It's hard to convey to our male counterparts because they may live it with you but they're not physically feeling it. Thank you for being so candid and honest!
read up on this..great for Varicous veins! http://www.earthworkshealth.com/ hope you feel better and when you so those little twinkling eyes..you will be all better..oh and the vodka!!
You are so funny. Great...thanks for letting me know what to look forward to one day! Just kidding.
If it's any consolation, I just showed your photo to someone last weekend and said "I hope I look like this when I'm pregnant!" A few of us girls were talking about how we're probably all going to look like cows.
Not too much longer now. Hang in there!
I feel you! I am really over it! I have about 3 weeks left. I definitely think the second time around is harder. Way more aches and pains. I am having horrible groin pain too that comes and goes but when its here I feel like I can barely walk. You can do it! You look soooo good, its hard to believe you are miserable:) I know this will be our last one so I am really trying to have a better attitude. PS-my boobs touch my stomach and I pee when I sneeze too! Isn't it lovely.
Oh Natalie, I feel (felt) your pain girl. Pregnancy IS hard. Really hard. I think I really only had had a little energy in my 2nd trimester and that lasted a couple of weeks and then it was gone. And I couldn't breathe throughout my whole pregnancy. The minute I found out I was preggo I was really congested and that lasted my entire pregnancy. And the last trimester Owen was on top of my diaphragm the entire time. So uncomfortable. But oh so worth it. Hang in there. It will be over soon. And you will have a beautiful little girl to hold and snuggle. Also, look on the bright side. You have looked gorgeous throughout your pregnancy. I was a mess lol. Take it easy and nap as much as you can! xxoo
Girl, I feel ya! I have been suffering from sciatica for about 3 weeks now and it is just brutal. Almost to the finish line... we can do this! And men will never understand. :)
Oh Natalie! I feel your pain! I have a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old, and my second pregnancy sucked the life out of me. Honestly, my husband and I have never fought as much as we did in my last trimester (which, I would be lying if I didn't say it put serious worries in my head!). I had such bad pregnancy-induced insomnia- I was a walking zombie...completely miserable/irrational/uncontrollable! Enter our sweet little princess...and things have never been better!! In fact, my insomnia was SO bad, that I got more sleep when she came home from the hospital than I did when I was pregnant. Not only that, the delivery/recovery/etc. was SO much easier the second time around. Honestly, she just carved a niche into our family so easily. Pregnancy is so taxing on your body, but I feel like she just somehow knew to compensate for that by being such a perfect little newborn. Have faith that everyone will return to "normal" and the end is in sight!! The prize at the finish line is AMAZING.
I feel your pain regarding the vericose veins. Mine were even worse than yours and unfortunately they did not go away. They certainly don't bulge out as much and faded a little but it looks like I'm stuck with them. I had them pretty bad with first pregnancy and horrible the second time around. Maybe yours will go away since this is your first time experiencing them. I hope they do. I too am insecure about how they look but I have two beautiful children so that's all that really matters. Thank God for self tanners! :)
Delivery should be a breeze the second time around. I got to the hospital at midnight and my daughter came at 2:30. It was quick. Certainly not pain free, but quick!
When you see that baby girl all will be forgotten. I was so sleep deprived while pregnant too, I actually got more sleep once my baby arrived. You'll work it out...because let's face it, you have to! My son, also 3 has actually been a big help (when he isn't pushing her down)...
Looking forward to following along on your journey with two kids.
Have a great weekend!
I could not agree more girl! I love my baby and think it was so worth it but damn it was hard. I was pretty much miserable all 9 months- I never got the veins but my swelling started around 32 weeks and just got worse. It's awful to walk around as a puffy fat version of your former self. Hang in there- you're in the home stretch and you won't even remember once you hold that little girl in your arms!
I love your honesty! You are an adorable pregnant lady! I got varicose veins with my second pregnancy. They subsided quite a bit after I had the baby. The stockings are not fun. They gave me some relief, but added 10 minutes in the morning when I was getting ready, the ones I had were hard to get on. Hang in there!
Well obviously I cannot comment on pregnancy at all, but literally as I was reading this post, my friend, Katie, texted me saying that she was being induced today!!! SO EXCITED!!
This is such a true and real post. I had bad veins when I was pregnant and for the most part 90 percent of them went away. Sigh.
I have come to the conclusion that all my girlfriends who said they loooved being pregnant are efing liars! Good luck in your final months of pregnancy!
Awesome post love, I haven't been pregnant but I can only imagine what you are going through! But in all seriousness you really do look gorgeous!! Can't wait for our October Charlotte date!
You are sure a beautiful woman. The end.
Perfection. The peeing comment cracked me up. And yes, the second pregnancy for me was SO much harder in a million different ways! But the second delivery was SO much easier!
Love this post!! You are doing an awesome job, Natalie and you have to be the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen! Starting at 30 weeks with the twins I would just weep at night, because I was so uncomfortable and didn't think I would make it. Now that they are six months old I can barely even remember how I felt! You will rock this...
I was JUST where you are (had baby #2 early Aug) and it sucks. I feel like the second pregnancy hurts more! But there is hope! My delivery was 100 times easier the second time. Like night and day. And your veins will totally disappear. I had them just like you (support hose and all) and they literally disappeared by the time I left the hospital. You are going to feel so great when you have that baby!
Oh sweet Natalie girl, I feel like we are one and the same right now, I could've written this post *word for word*! The veins, the extreme discomfort, just desperately wanting my body back...but soooo very excited for this new little addition to our family. I'm sure after she's here I will just be so in love that I won't be focused on this 9 months of misery, right? Right?!?!? (c; Hang in there! The days are SO long but the weeks will pass and before we know it we'll be all exhausted with our new little bundles of joy! 😘
OYVEY! Pregnancy is for real isn't it? My husband will never understand what I went through with our son and why I may never be the same. Yes it's worth it, and amazing. But it's still horrifying what it does to your body. I'd give my right arm to look as fabulous as you do in the THIRD TRIMESTER. I had one vein sprout it's ugly head during my pregnancy.. and tons of little broken blood vessels around my ankles. Those seem to have faded.. but I think a doctor may need to remove the vein. At least it'll be all over soon. Best of luck for the rest of this.. and let us know how the compression hose work!
Oh, Natalie...I know your pain. I am now just 6 weeks along with my THIRD! So I'm just now embarking on this crazy adventure again. I am sorry about the vericose veins...those are from the Devil, I swear God cannot be that mean. I have large veins in the back of one of my knees anyway, not vericose, just my damn vein, so I can't even get it lasered away. That being said, it does take treatment to rid of those things, and it's expensive. It sucks what our body has to endure, and some of it being permanent, a la stretchmarks. But yes, it's definitely worth it...and not really about US in the end. I hope you have a great last couple of months despite the "growing pains". Wish me luck for the next 8 or 9!!! Gah! PS - your belly looks great preggers, I get big fast and it sucks...even though I stay in the 25-35, I look huge. Ugh.
Right there with you girl! And my husband wonders why I look at him like he has 5 heads when he asks me if I like being pregnant. Seeing your compression hose gives me hope, I've been thinking about getting some too, especially for when it's cooler and I can hide them under jeans. Hang in there!
Right there with you girl! And my husband wonders why I look at him like he has 5 heads when he asks me if I like being pregnant. Seeing your compression hose gives me hope, I've been thinking about getting some too, especially for when it's cooler and I can hide them under jeans. Hang in there!
I completely agree... The only thing that may be harder is all the stuff your body goes through post-baby. I didn't enjoy pregnancy at all... But it is amazing what our bodies can do. Hang in there, mama!!
Such a powerful post!! I am worried about the second time around delivering as well, mainly b/c Ethan had a rough delivery and I was so blissfully unaware! Now I know the risks...and knowing can be a dangerous thing!! But I have to also say thank you for being real because you have made this pregnancy look so great...and you look awesome!!! It's nice to know it's not all sugar and spice!! Hang in there...she'll be here before you know it!! XO
Um, thank you for your honesty. I feel so guilty complaining, but it sucks! I have a 14 month old and am in my second "feel good" trimester. I know the worst is yet to come.
Girl, you've got this! That little miracle is going to be beautiful, and well worth everything, and you've been waiting a long time for her.
P.S. That pregnant pic you posted of mom and baby is Giselle Bundchen (sp?) only five weeks after she had her first baby. Now if that doesn't make us all sick, I don't know what does?!
This is such a lovely post. I have been a long time reader and follower and love coming to your blog everyday. Thank you for sharing all of this today! Have a lovely weekend.
Hi Nat! I have 19 days to go MAX and boy and i hearing you about the sneezing and peeing! This is probably my LEAST favourite thing about being pregnant. It really gets me down! You're looking beautiful and fabulous and it will be over before we know it. When I feel down I always concentrate on those tiny little movements that baby is making in my belly - and think how MAGICAL that is! No one else gets to feel that! And for me, it will more than likely be my last time feeling those, so I am cherishing those kicks and punches and rolls:)
I'm not preggo and I will be not drinking and going to be early tonight too. I'll try and drink extra water to fully join you in the discomfort. :) Hope it eases up and gets a little better for you. And congrats on the wee one!
I hear you on SO many levels! My second pregnancy was just awful with the varicose veins. I went to a vascular surgeon and wore support hose(almost every day). I did refuse to wear them on our vacation to T and C though! My hose also cost as much as a pair of Chloe shoes. Such a rip off for something far from fashionable. Not to scare you, but mine did get better for a short period after delivery, but now they are really prominent and unbearable. Going to bite the bullet and have them removed soon. All that said, you are in the home stretch! She will be here soon and your heart will be bursting with so much love for both of your babies!!
I am so thankful to have my 2 year old son. It took us a while to get him and we're still trying for #2 but...pregnancy is HARD! I hated being pregnant. I was sick the whole freaking time (and not just nauseous, can't leave the bathroom sick). Was it worth it? Absolutely. Did I love it? No, definitely not. I never had the second trimester feel good time. I just felt like poop the entire time. I have a coworker who still brags about how wonderful she felt and how she loves being pregnant and it just makes me sick to listen to her.
I love the honesty here! Baby girl will be here soon! Hang in there! And no, men will never understand.
Oh girl. Yes. It's hard and uncomfortable and amazing all at the same time. You deserve to vent :) Let's do lunch or brunch this coming week or the week after. That way you're not asleep. xoxo
I had varicose veins like that with my second pregnancy. ..I cried to my husband that my legs were so ugly and I would never be able to wear shorts again. ..I couldn't believe it but they completely went away after baby girl was born! Hope the same happens for you!
I completely feel your pain regarding the varicose veins!! I had them very bad with my second pregnancy...and they do HURT!!! Not to mention, I got a major complex with how they looked. I too had to get fitted for support hose and to say they are uncomfortable was an understatement. I would cry, break into a sweat and break nails while trying to put them on. We traveled a lot though in the car, so I had to make myself because otherwise I would wake up the next morning and have a whole new patch on my leg. I will say, they do go away after birth. Almost immediately mine did...and I also had them in my groin- UGH!! I do still have bright blue veins, but no where near what it was!! Hang in there...your almost there!! You look amazing, and I just had to remind myself (as hard as it was) it was totally worth it!!!
You have all the right to vent, it is pretty hard to get used to all the body changes. You're almost there, hang in there Natalie!! :)
Ahhh!!! Thank you jeebus for this post. I had seriously "easy" pregnancies both times and yet it still sucked. It's so taxing on your body. And dangerous to your health. I'm too scared to get back for a third. You are so close and soon you'll be snuggling that precious girl and your heart will be so full. All worth it! xoxox
I feel your pain Natalie! The second baby made me gain about 50 pounds. I was so swollen and uncomfortable my last trimester and I was moving from South America back to the USA. Moving us into a new house, feeling like a whale. And all my two big bricks of feet could fit in were crocs!!! I hate crocs! They are okay on kids, but not a grown woman. I actually slept in a sitting position for the last two months of the pregnancy. I was in so much pain. And I just kept getting fatter. The doctors recommended that I rest and put my feet up, but having a preschooler running around and moving us to the new house while the husband worked, well that just doesn't make sense. I loved my first pregnancy but the second one, left me not wanting to be pregnant ever again. Thank God for healthy babies though! Good luck and the rest of your pregnancy Natalie and I hope it alls goes smoothly. My delivery did go so much better the second time around.
Love your honesty! I felt the same way during my pregnancy. It's great to hold that baby in your arms in the end. Totally worth it!
Hang in there! Ditto to all of this. My second is 4.5 months old, and his pregnancy was much harder on me. The good news - for me at least - is that it gets better after baby comes. Seriously, I was shocked at how much more energy I had and how much better I felt with a newborn than the last weeks/months of my pregnancy. Caring for two took some getting used to, but I found the newborn phase - on the whole - to be easier this time. I think I had more confidence in caring for the baby, and was generally able to stay in a better place mentally and emotionally because I appreciated how quickly it would pass. Like I said, hang in there!!!
Oh, and don't dawdle if you think you're in labor, baby girl will most likely come much faster. I barely made it onto the hospital bed ;)
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