Rebornne Baby. American Baby
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
Pregnancy Surprises
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What were you most unprepared for during your pregnancy?
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"I never
imagined how difficult simple tasks would become due to my size toward
the end of my pregnancy. While grocery shopping, I actually got stuck
a few times between the cart and a shelf while trying to reach something!
I had to squeeze myself out, praying that I wouldn't hurt my unborn
child! Customers would stare and chuckle. But to have the cashier
and bag boy ask if I needed help was beyond humiliating."
--Christie Lord, Berlin, WI
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"Overall,
I felt very prepared for the birth. I had read numerous baby books
and attended most of my prenatal classes. So I was stunned when I
was told I needed a cesarean. Needless to say, I'd skipped all classes
on this topic because I had planned on delivering vaginally. I guess
Mother Nature had a different idea in mind for me!"
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"Nobody
could have prepared me for my cravings during pregnancy. As a vegetarian,
I had always eaten well. However, during my sixth month, I went through
a phase where I needed mayonnaise on everything. My family was horrified!
It actually got to the point where I would eat it right out of the
jar with just a spoon and a smile."
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"My 39-week
checkup was two days before my daughter's birthday, and I joked that
I refused to have my baby on her birthday. My doctor responded, 'Want
to have your baby today?' I was shocked to learn that I was dilated
to three centimeters. I had the baby and was out of the hospital in
time for my daughter's special day."
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"Being pregnant
during the summer months was difficult. I always felt hot. As an elementary
school teacher, I would usually try to seek refuge in the bathroom
during recess, with a portable fan and unbuttoned blouse. One day
after lunch, one of my students came to my desk. Grinning, he said,
'Mrs. Barter, I think you forgot something.' I looked down and was
horrified to see I'd skipped the first three buttons on my blouse."
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"I had no
idea how bad my balance would get as my pregnancy progressed. I never
had a bad fall, but I would inexplicably find myself on my hands and
knees, surrounded by strangers. I would be walking along, and the
next thing I knew I was being helped up by people who looked like
they expected me to go into labor at any moment."
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"I was very
unprepared for the memory loss. I am usually a very organized and
detail-oriented person, but while I was pregnant, I couldn't remember
a thing. I'd go to the grocery store and forget not only my shopping
list but also my purse or even my shoes."
