Thursday, June 2, 2011

Pregnancy is just so Inconvenient

During my TTC journey, I occasionally come across some negativity. Lately it's been about timing. Someone will ask when we plan to have another baby, and we tell them that we are TTC. This is sometimes followed by "Now?! You don't want to be pregnant during the summer do you? You'd waste your whole summer with morning sickness and fatigue. How miserable. You gotta at least wait til fall." What do people think they are going to accomplish by saying things like this?!


This got me thinking. When is a good time to be pregnant. I've decided that there isn't a convenient time to be pregnant. Major life changes always do just that, they change things. So if a pregnancy changes some summer activities, so be it. No matter when you become pregnant, it is going to affect your daily life. Last time I was pregnant (with my 3 year old) I was due in late January. January happens to be prime time for snowboarding which is one of my favorite past times. Was I sad to miss out that season? Nope. Not a bit. I gladly sent my husband off to the slopes without me. I happily stayed home preparing for my baby's arrival.


While there isn't a completely convenient time to be pregnant, I also believe there isn't a wrong time to be pregnant. Most TTC moms would agree that they would be happy to be pregnant no matter when it happens, or when their baby is due. I often hear women talking about how they wouldn't want to be due during the hot summer months because of swelling and being uncomfortable. I've heard women say they wouldn't want a baby born within a month of Christmas because that month is expensive enough. I've especially heard people say they wouldn't want a baby born during flu and RSV season. There is going to be something that isn't ideal in some people's minds no matter when you are pregnant or when you are due.


When a mother brings a baby into the world isn't important. The fact that mother's have the ability to bring a child into this world is important. No matter the conception month, no matter the due date, I will be so excited to be pregnant. This excitement is the only thing that has kept us TTC for as long as we have. It's a difficult and emotional journey but anticipating the complete joy that only a new baby brings is what keeps us going. Let me birth in the quiet winter months and I'll be quite happy. I would endure the heat and swollen ankles to have a summer baby. I would be thrilled to have a baby anytime a baby decides to come. Children are truly a gift and when that gift arrives, I will be nothing but grateful.


6 comments:

Tara said... [Reply to comment]

What's TTC? I'm pregnant - 34 weeks pregnant in New York which has had hot humid weather this week and I have to say I don't actually have swollen anything other than belly. Granted, I drink a ton of water and avoid sodium heavy processed foods. You make a valid and much needed point that inconvenience is just perspective! (and funny! I too was writing about perceptions of pregnancy for my post! I still might because it is related, but different)

Manager to Mom said... [Reply to comment]

Great post. It all has to do with attitude, and you obviously have a very positive one! Best of luck to you.

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

I think I know how you feel. When I got pregnant recently, everyone had negative things to say about timing since I am in college. The only appropriate thing to say to someone who is trying to conceive is "good luck!" and the only thing for someone who is pregnant is "congrats!" On that note, good luck!!!!! =)

Shawna said... [Reply to comment]

So true!

Kimberly O. said... [Reply to comment]

I have two pregnancy no-no's that I didn't previously have. One is being pregnant in the summer where it's always hot. We moved from Washington State in July of 2010 to Hawaii when I was 7 months pregnant and my daughter was due in September. Those were the most miserable two months of my life. I could have handled being pregnant during the summer in Washington because it's not almost 90 degrees with seriously humidity every day.
My second is Christmas...I have friends and family who have given birth or have birthdays in December and they all hate it. All of them.

Of course, I will (we are currently kind of TTC -- well, we're not really TRYING we're just not, not trying. :) ) be happy with whenever I am pregnant, or when my baby is due, but those are just things I would rather avoid personally. Everyone does have an opinion about when would be the right time to have a baby...and I've told many friends...there is no "right" time. We're in the military and we try to plan around when my husband is going to be home and everything like that...but it's almost impossible. I know a lot of people who are waiting until their husband will definitely be home, but you can't count on the military to always keep your spouse home. The "right" time is whenever YOU'RE ready. :) Good luck!!!

Rachelle said... [Reply to comment]

@Tara

I should have clarified. TTC means trying to conceive. I suppose I've used the term long enough it didn't even occur to me to explain.

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