The child within

As you can probably tell from this photo or if you already knew, I am expecting my first child in about 6 months. My husband and I are very excited and can't wait to meet our new baby! I find this cover to be hilariously out of date. It was a book given to me by my mom when she found out the news. It was a thoughtful gift regardless of the clearly 80s cover since this is the book my mother read when she was pregnant with me. No what's to expect when you are expecting for her!

So how did I find out I was pregnant?

Well, it's funny because the top signs for pregnancy are what they have been for many years.

1. Missed period
2. Sore breasts
3. Nausea
4. Frequent urination
5. heartburn
Oh and the famous disclaimer: Every pregnancy is different, lots of people don't have any trouble at all.

I even remembered my friends and mother mentioning one or more of these symptoms. I'm not sure though that I ever really thought about the fact that you could experience all and many more symptoms at the same time, or how extreme they actually were.

So, I have devised my own list so that if by some chance I become crazy or forget what it felt like in the first three months of my pregnancy.

1. Marathon runner's fatigue.
I am a runner and this is the only way I can think to describe it. I felt fatigue as if I had run a marathon that day. (Keep in mind I currently work, and run 3-5 miles 6 days a week.)
2. Sore breasts.
So sore that it's excruciating to even wear a bra much less run in a sports bra. (which I did)
3. Nausea/morning sickness. ( most days in the first 3 months)
morning sickness is not always in the morning and could last all day. This is nausea that is only treatable with pregnancy prescription pills. Eating a few crackers did not help nor did sprite or ginger ale. It woke me up every morning and was there some nights before I went to bed as well.
4. Vomiting. ( I know pregnancy is so glamorous) It was only in the morning for me, and it didn't seem to matter whether I ate or not. I actually threw up sprite and crackers one morning.
5. Increased sense of smell.
I first noticed the smell thing when I magically could smell my students gum as if it was right under my lip.
6. Slowed digestion
now this one was interesting for me because I always thought that the pregnancy symptom with digestion was heartburn. (I haven't experienced that yet, I hear that will come later.) With me, it was a constant feeling of being full as if I had just eaten a huge meal. This did keep me from overeating which is a plus.
7.and last Moodiness.
All the books say that moodiness is expected. Your body is adjusting to all the hormonal changes and happy days and sad days are expected. For me this was one of the hardest symptoms to deal with. I am someone who is active and likes to be in control. The moodiness made me feel out of control at times and that was and is frustrating. Luckily my husband is very understanding and can recognize when the hormones are talking, so he hasn't left me yet.

I believe now at least that pregnancy and labor is as God said in the bible and in the book my mother gave me.

John 16:20
And Jesus said, "Your weeping shall suddenly be turned to wonderful joy. It will be the same joy as that of a woman in labor when her child in born--her anguish gives place to rapturous joy and all pain is forgotten."


Forgotten being the key phrase here. This explains why every women I have ever spoken to about pregnancy describes it as a wonderful and amazing experience. The truth is that it's not easy all 40 weeks, but it is worth it and every horrible symptom is completely understandable. I am currently taking care of another human being inside of my body. Now I think it was silly of me to expect it all to be a breeze.