Pregnancy Brings Out the Stupid

Pregnancy really did a number on my self-esteem. I gained 27 pounds, my feet were so swollen that I could only fit in "fat shoes," and I hated maternity clothes so I desperately tried to avoid them. I spent months feeling fat, clumsy, and unattractive. I did go from maybe an A-cup to a little more than a D, but I discovered that big boobs are one of those things that I think are better in theory than in reality.

Seeing a pregnant women seems to bring out the stupid in a lot of people and I heard a lot of lousy things while I was pregnant with my son. For some reason, other mothers feel compelled to scare you with their labor & delivery horror stories. I was told that I was being a silly martyr for wanting a drug-free vaginal birth and "no one" does that anymore because the epidural is so wonderful. Well, I had a spinal with my c-section and I think it totally freaking sucks to be paralyzed from the waist down. Unless I require another c-section, I will never again submit to another regional nerve block.

Nothing freaks out a pregnant woman quite as much as the idea that her baby will die. While I was in my sixth month, a woman felt the need to tell me that she had delivered a stillborn child at 6-months gestation. Thanks for sharing, that really made my day and I didn't worry about suffering the same. Nooo, I didn't worry one little bit.

At work one afternoon, I was asked when I was due and I replied that I had eight weeks to go. B*tch of the Century (bet you didn't know there was a title!) responded with a surprised, "Are you sure? You look like you're due right now." Thank you for that, it was just the boost I needed as the pregnancy began winding down and the aches & pains increased. She wasn't exactly a waif, if you know what I mean, and I kinda hope that people badger her all the time with questions about her "pregnancy."

I can't be the only one who looks for something positive or encouraging to say to people. No one wants to hear anything that can be remotely negative about themselves and pregnant women in particular are sensitive about such things. Pregnancy is a tough time and, like I said, it can be rough on someone's self-esteem.

Pregnant women have the most lovely nails, glossy hair, and, though I didn't see it in myself at all, I do see the special glow that pregnant women get as the pregnancy progresses. They may be tired, exhausted really, but they do emanate a special kind of expectant joy. They also tend to have great boobs, but I don't really recommend that you mention it!

Pregnant women don't often receive sincere compliments and, all too often, they get the opposite. You lose nothing by sharing kind and loving words and it will really brighten another person's day. Whose day will you brighten today?