I Hate Being Pregnant

[Anonymous]

Don't worry I LOVED being pregnant the first time until I was left with a disasterous looking post partum tummy and a lumpy ass.

I'm pregnant with #2 and am afraid I'll now become a complete train wreck. I'm not lovin it either this time since the rose colored glasses are now off.

[Anonymous]

Being pregnant was fascinating and thrilling, but it was definitely not all sunshine and roses. Kind of like parenthood. There is no end to the things that will be sources of frustration and compromise, as well as heartbreaking joy, when the baby arrives. Maybe you can consider this the "basic training" for parenting

[Anonymous]

#1 was hard at times, especially when I had sciatica and back pain, but I think you are blowing it out of proportion. I think that you need to buck up or talk to your doctor about getting some help. I have a friend who had 2 difficult pregnancies emotionally, but after she got on anti-anxiety medicine, she did better.

I just had a miscarriage a few months ago, so I only wish I was in your situation. I am sure that all of the women on TTC also wish they were.

I do hope you feel better, but please try to keep it in perspective. Pregnancy is so short and your baby will make you forget pregnancy - with fun and smiles, but also with new challenges.

[Anonymous]

OP here: I'm so thankful for all the heartfelt advice/support. I'm also thankful I'm not pregnant with twins! PP, my heart goes out to you. I hope your partner worships the ground you walk on. How in the world do people do this multiple times?

[Anonymous]

it's so hard to not cry while reading these posts... i know i know, i did it to myself and never should have even peaked given the topic... i would LOVE to be pregnant again, to have the joy and the honor of having created another life, of being able to carry to term a part of me and my husband.

pregnancy is such a miracle and you are so very lucky to be able to experience it. i wish i could again...

[Anonymous]

OP here: Part of the problem is that I feel a tremendous amount of guilt, because I know there are lots of women who would love to be experiencing pregnancy and can't. To the two PPs: thanks for sharing and I'm so sorry for your losses.

[Anonymous]

I hated being pregnant too - especially at the begining. It definitely got better for me once the baby started moving in the second trimester. I then hated it again in the third trimester. In retrospect, pregnancy was so easy compared to the first six months of being a new mom. I really wish I had just chilled out, put my feet up, slept, read, traveled, and reveled in the last months of being a truly "free" person. I love my DC child to pieces, but life is a constant juggling act these days.

[Anonymous]

Don't feel bad, I hate being pregnant too...I hated the 1st, and 2nd, and now 3rd trimester. I can't stand the weight gain, the sleepless nights, the backpain, my splotchy face, and my eyebrows falling out! I too am looking forward to labor. The only thing I enjoy is feeling and watching her move. That really is amazing.

Hang in there!

[Anonymous]

I have to say...I LOVED LOVED LOVED being pregnant with my first two babies. Loved it. It was miraculous, I felt great, I glowed! Could not figure out why anyone would hate it so and secretly thought women were just being whiny and selfish.

Then I got pregnant with my third baby. OMG, that pregnancy was awful. I ached. I hurt. I felt terrible all the time. I was disgusted with myself and the way I looked. And then I understood all the other women and felt bad for my secret judgments. Guess I learned my lesson.

Hang in there. It is well worth it and it doesn't last forever.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you're not alone--I'm at 26 weeks and still feel icky. It all comes down to expectations--with so many people saying how wonderful I'd feel in second trimester, I came to expect that & it just didn't happen that way...Still I do think that the end result is worth it. One recommendation: I've been swimming 2-3x/week for the past 5 weeks or so & would highly recommend that--at least you get to feel weightless for a brief period...

[Anonymous]

I think the hard thing is that people decide that once you are visibly pregnant, your emotions and changing body are some how part of public domain. It's kind of your business how you feel about what is going on -- and maybe your family and friends -- but acquaintances and total strangers feel like it is OK to tell you how they felt, how they think you should feel, and offer unwanted advice and opinions. So some women love feeling pregnant and some are miserable -- sort of like some are tall/short, curly/strait hair, full figured/thin, etc etc. If all those other physical things are different, why in gods name would we all experience pregnancy the same way??

[Anonymous]

OP: I know you were on a bit of a rant, but your post really made me smile. Maybe it was the muzzle comment? It's not easy to be charming when you're feeling lousy, but you seem to be pulling it off. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. I hope everything goes smoothly!!

[Anonymous]

It's all perspective - I had to stop any kind of exercise (including walking) at 2 months because of subchorionic hemorrhaging. Due to a short cervix at 4 months, I was given instruction to only go to work and come home - no shopping, no going out, etc. When I was officially diagnosed with an incompetent cervix at 5 months, I was put on strict bed rest - no more working & only allowed up to go to the bathroom. I have 2 months left to go and having a hard time. There is a good chance I will end up on hospital bed rest before this is over. I can only fantasize that my only problem is having to wear an extra bra when I go running.

[Anonymous]

Wait until you have a newborn to know what tired, achy and feeling fat really feel like!! You will get no sleep. You will not have time or energy to exercise. You will have a big flabby stomach (as opposed to the nice baby bump you will have as your pregnancy progresses, and which distracts from the rest of you growing larger). If you're complaining now, just wait until later. It gets much, much worse.

[Anonymous]

I just can't relate - this has been by far the coolest experience of my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've slept better than I ever have, feel great and even my skin looks better. I just got to 30 weeks and I keep waiting for the hell period to kick in but as of yet, nothing! Can you focus on the baby versus your discomforts - it really is a freaking miracle what's going on inside you!