It is true what you read, pregnancy after infertility is nothing like pregnancy that normal people encounter. It is very surreal, and it's hard to get used to trusting your body to know what to do after it has failed you so many times before. And I know tons of women say they are so thankful for their babies, but if you are pregnant after infertility, that baby is cherished beyond words.
You might be pregnant after infertility if....
-You purposely don't eat anything in the morning so you feel nauseous and confident that the baby is still okay (and then when you are just about to need the bathroom, you break out the saltines. how do they work so fast?!)
-You say sometimes, I wish I felt worse
-You have studied what happens each day after ovulation, and you know with the deepest of detailed wisdom what a miracle it is for a healthy baby to grow from just two cells
-When you call to schedule your first midwife appointment and they ask "do you have any idea what the first day of your last period was?" you (respectfully) scoff quietly. Do I have any IDEA?!?! My cycle has been the object of my obsession for the last {x} years!!!
-You have an ultrasound and see the heartbeat before 95% of the rest of the population even realizes the heart is beating.
-You do not run out and buy 5 baby books the afternoon of your positive test- maybe 3 weeks later...or 15 weeks later
-It is weird to have restless sleeps and have to pee in the middle of the night, but you will gladly embrace these nighttime rituals so you can get downstairs in the morning and see another day has dawned in your pregnancy!
-You are happy when you eat an egg sandwich that tasted great but then you feel positively awful the rest of the afternoon
-You have taken prenatal vitamins for 2 years already
-You are happy to see bloating and to fall asleep at 8pm
-Everything that is a normal pregnancy complaint is like heaven on earth to you
I don't know how many of my still-waiting bloggy buddies will read this post, but I hope if you do, you will know that you are all still in my prayers!!! God has great surprises in store for you, I just know it!!
PS. Banana's bloodwork has been NORMAL the past two days!! We are so relieved and praying that we are done with that crazy-train for good!!!
20 comments:
I didn't buy a single baby book, item of clothing, or anything baby related until after 20 weeks! My friends thought I was crazy. I just couldn't do it. And now at almost 32 weeks, I need to STOP BUYING stuff. Haha! Congrats to you. It will get a little easier as time goes on, I promise.
I so know what you mean!!! I still don't believe I'm pregnant.
Thank you, I love this post.
I remember wishing for morning sickness. When I told other women that I never had it, they told me I was lucky, but I would have loved to have had it if only for the peace of mind. Actually, a lot of what you list is what I went through: the baby books several weeks later (and then, only reluctantly due to fear that I was tempting fate too far), knowing exactly when I ovulated and wondering how anyone could not know, being amazed (and still being amazed)that an actual human being could come from two single cells, etc.
Good news on Banana. I suppose her actions are one way to get you child proofing the house early. Doggy proofing and child proofing in one fell swoop. By the way, they say you should childproof before the baby is born. They're right. You won't have much uninterrupted time after to do it.
I'm the same as Ashley. I didn't start reading a bood until 18 weeks and didn't buy a single thing until after 20 weeks, and still won't buy anything big (furniture/car seat) until after 24 weeks.
LOL, I hope I can identify with this last someday soon. I feel like you're pretty spot on with how I'll feel though. :)
I love it!!! Congratulations!!!
Oh my gosh! Love this list! :) I also want to add that you know you may be pregnant after infertility if you run out and buy a doppler right away. You better believe I did that! :)
Although I rarely wish I felt worse... I am secretly happy about puking my guts out all day. It is so reassuring! And I get serious anxiety the day of each new check up, still waiting to make sure that heart is still beating. I start to cry every time I hear it still going. Being pregnant is not easy, but it is the most wonderful thing ever! Glad Banana is doing better.
I've never been pregnant, but this is a great post. I can honestly say that if I did get pregnant, I know I would feel/do every one of those things. :)
I'm so glad that Banana's blood work came back okay!
I know I'm going to be the exact same way when God decides it's time for us to have a child :-)
LOL - yep, I can agree with this list.
And I didn't even set up our nursery until 1 week before her due date. Good thing she was 2 weeks late.
Just found your blog today- thanks for your comments. I am unfortunately still in the "waiting" category but am always looking for people who have made it to the other side, thanks for sharing. You can visit my blog at myjourneythruinfertility.wordpress.com if you ever have any words of wisdom !
I begged my RE to keep me on the evil PIO injections for just a week longer...pleeeeaassse let me receive thick oil injections an inch and a half into my butt muscle for a little while longer!
I also have a full album of ultrasound pictures (I've seriously had 30+ ultrasounds) and think its pretty normal.
I'm due in less than 4 weeks and am just THIS week setting up the nursery. I don't know if it was subconscious or what but I just didn't sense the urgency. I don't think it feels like its really happening.
When babycenter.com doesn't send me my weekly email by 9am, I'm convinced there's something wrong with the baby and God is trying to tell me.
I love this post!!! Congrats again...I don't think I can say it enough!!!
I could not agree more!! I loved when someone said oh your nails will go so fast being on prenatal vitamins now.
Yeah...I have been on those suckers for 5 years...and my nails have grown this fast the whole time. But what I really do is nod and smile :O)
Being pregnant after infertility as surreal is a great description. The joy of pregnancy after infertility is unique. Congratulations!
Remember, good nutrition is absolutely important, but it does not necessarily come from prenatal vitamins. Supplements should never be taken to compensate for a poor diet. The nutrients to include in a fertility diet include the fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid and other B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals and the essential fatty acids.
Surreal is a great description. Congratulations!
Good nutrition is absolutely important, but it does not necessarily come from prenatal vitamins. Supplements should never be taken to compensate for a poor diet. The nutrients to include in a fertility diet include the fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid and other B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals and the essential fatty acids.
http://www.focusonvibranthealth.com/nutrition-facts/are-prenatal-vitamins-necessary/
I was one of those ladies who never had any symptoms and everyone would tell me I was "blessed" but it never felt that way! When you're reading the books be sure to only read one week/month at a time. Otherwise you'll get too overwhelmed.
I know it's been over a year since your post was written but I just found this blog and wanted to share my experience. I have never gone through infertility but I did go through something that was VERY hard for me. I got married pretty late in life. I watched my sisters, one younger than me, and all my friends get married and start families. I was happy for them but I cried over the fact that I was single and that all my family and friends were getting married and starting families. All I wanted my whole life was to be a mother. Seeing girls in their early 20's (much younger than me)get married and have children was difficult. I wondered if I would ever have the opportunity to be a wife and mother. After YEARS and YEARS of tears and dreams it was finally my turn. I got married and knew that my biological clock was ticking. When I found out I was pregnant all I could do was sit there are cry tears of joy. My children are my life. I am so grateful to be a mother and so grateful that my Heavenly Father has sent these beautiful children to me.
I know it's been over a year since your post was written but I just found this blog and wanted to share my experience. I have never gone through infertility but I did go through something that was VERY hard for me. I got married pretty late in life. I watched my sisters, one younger than me, and all my friends get married and start families. I was happy for them but I cried over the fact that I was single and that all my family and friends were getting married and starting families. All I wanted my whole life was to be a mother. Seeing girls in their early 20's (much younger than me)get married and have children was difficult. I wondered if I would ever have the opportunity to be a wife and mother. After YEARS and YEARS of tears and dreams it was finally my turn. I got married and knew that my biological clock was ticking. When I found out I was pregnant all I could do was sit there are cry tears of joy. My children are my life. I am so grateful to be a mother and so grateful that my Heavenly Father has sent these beautiful children to me.
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