2015, January: Pregnancy sucks. These five things helped me survive.

My mum captured it accurately when she said: "some mums-to-be glow with happiness at the miracle of pregnancy. You're not one of them, are you?" At this point, I know I've been complaining nonstop since June (sorry). I waited with great anticipation for the "joyousness" of the second trimester that my nurse promised, but it never happened. And now I'm at almost 37 weeks? Ugh ugh ugh ugh (yesterday I had a meltdown because I couldn't fit in the bath. My poor husband). I've had a pretty easy pregnancy when you consider all the symptoms and complications I could have suffered, but it's still been miserable. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited about the fact that I'm growing a human, and I know how lucky I am that we were able to get pregnant when we wanted to, but the array of crappy side effects have certainly been an unwelcome surprise!

If you find yourself as pathetic and full of self pity as I have been, here are five things that might help:  

Fetal Heart Monitor The first half of my pregnancy was defined by paranoia. I felt a bit silly when I first decided to buy the heart monitor, but it has been the best thing ever. For the first 20 weeks or so I was checking the heartbeat every couple of days and it made me feel so much better to hear it. Even after I started feeling movement, it wasn't consistent for a long time so it was reassuring to be able to check the heart if I hadn't felt a kick in a few days. It helped build excitement for the baby inside the bump, and I'm sure it saved countless unnecessary calls to my practitioner.  

Maternity leggings and knickers Comfort, comfort, comfort! Most of my maternity clothes were donated/lent by friends (thank you thank you Dana, Lindsay, and Lara!), but I did buy a few things. Towards the end of the second trimester and throughout the third, I was eternally grateful for maternity leggings and knickers, and especially the knickers! You might think you can get away with your regular underwear, but if so - you're missing out. Embrace the granny panties and celebrate the opportunity to wear gigantic, ugly, but OH-SO-COMFORTABLE pants whenever you can.  

The hospital class & tour We took an evening "Newborn care" class and a day-long "We're having a baby class" at the hospital where I will be delivering. The day-long class included a hospital tour and a close look at one of the delivery rooms. This was a definite turning point for me. There are still (obviously) a lot of unknowns about labor and I'm still pretty scared, but the tour and class made me feel reassured and much more prepared. Knowing where to go when labor starts, being able to imagine the delivery room, and understanding specific hospital policies when it comes to labor/delivery/postpartum, is a huge weight off my mind.

Pregnancy pillow! This has been essential during the third trimester. My bump was causing all kind of strain and pain no matter what position I tried, and this pillow made a dramatic difference. I use it constantly in bed and on the sofa. I haven't taken it to work yet, but that day may be coming soon.  

TEA I don't understand how Americans survive in general without the obsession with tea that Brits enjoy, but now that I'm hardly sleeping and feeling constantly crappy? Tea is a godsend. It makes everything better. It also helps Christian, too. He understandably does not know what to do when I'm having one of my ridiculous meltdowns, but offering me tea is ALWAYS a good idea. (And let's be clear, I'm talking about proper Yorkshire Tea with milk. None of that herbal crap).

I promise this is my last post complaining about pregnancy. Now you can just look forward to all the posts complaining about being a new parent... 3ish weeks to go!!