Are You Ready?

The question really comes out, “So are you soooo ready?” I hear it multiple times, almost every single day. And I’ve really started to question what people actually mean by that.

If they mean, “Aren’t you over it? Aren’t you in so much pain and discomfort that you just want this pregnancy to be over?” the answer is “No.” Not every pregnancy is the same, and I’ve found that most people who ask with this intent are usually the ones who have had a terribly uncomfortable pregnancy. But mine just hasn’t been that way, and I don’t think that’s something to apologize for. Granted, third trimester has been markedly different from my second trimester. Sleep is definitely more difficult to come by. There are the expected aches and pains from putting on more weight than I’m used to carrying. I could do without the Braxton Hicks contractions. And night sweats. And acid reflux sucks.

But outlook has great impact on attitude, and so does diet. I’ve stayed active, avoided sugars and processed foods (which has NOT been even remotely easy, but which I truly believe has a lot to do with how our bodies deal with pregnancy), sought out plant-based meals, drank a ton of water and have kept a positive outlook. After all, these aches and pains are my body’s reaction to life taking place inside of me. I wake up because my baby moves, which means she’s healthy. The weight gain is all for her benefit. BH contractions are the body’s way of warming up for the big day (and who starts a marathon without training and warming up first?). Acid reflux, while my least favorite, is usually caused by my baby’s movement (or an impending bowel movement – both great things). Still no clue as to how the night sweats help... but there must be a reason, right? Conditioning me for sleepless nights?

And I just don’t view pregnancy as an awful experience that has to be suffered through until that big day when you push a large orange (NOT a watermelon, as I used to believe) through a hole the size of ... a large orange (NOT a grape seed, as I also used to believe – we’re made to stretch, and stretch we do – but I digress). 

(*Disclaimer Time! There are always exceptions to the rule. Someone could have a great diet, stay active and keep a positive attitude and still have a really rough pregnancy that they wouldn’t wish on their worst enemy. If this is/was you, my greatest sympathies and support. You are a warrior.)

But am I ready?

Now if they mean, “Is the house in order? Is the car seat in? Are your bags packed? Do you have a phone tree in place? Have you picked a pediatrician? Did you type up your birth plan? Have you started the EDD paperwork?” The answer is also, “No.”

But to be honest, I just can’t get (let alone KEEP) the house clean enough since we’re constantly under construction and dust permeates every single room regardless of keeping the doors closed. Due to lack of sleep, while the urge to “nest” is extremely strong, I really don’t have the energy to clean anyway. I admire those who do and I am slightly jealous of those who can. But it’s just not my situation, and gosh darn it – that’s okay (but out of curiosity, does anyone have an air purifier or two we could borrow?).

While the car seat is technically in the car, we haven’t strapped it down yet. And to be honest, our main goal was to just get the thing out of our house so we had more living space and so it would stay cleaner than it probably would inside. (Side note – that thing is huge. I’m sure we’ll appreciate it when baby is older and bigger, but sheesh! Talk about a wide load! So much for only taking up the middle seat...)

The bags, I have to say, are packed. Probably over-packed. Gold star for me.

Phone tree? Uh, I didn’t even think of that. Won’t Facebook just tell everyone for me? Even if I don’t want it to? And how does one go about picking a pediatrician? I kind of want to be able to interview them and see who will provide the type of care and respect we want. But where is the time? Birth plan is typed but not printed, and EDD paperwork.... ug. Still on the list.

I chuckle as I write this. Who knew there were so many prerequisites to going into labor? No wonder so many women get induced – they’re just too stressed out with the list of “to-do’s” that they hold off and have to be forced to get the kid out! (Just kidding... sort of. There is actually evidence that a woman’s state of mind – stressing about little things, like having forgotten to empty the dishwasher, etc. – can actually delay and even prolong labor. Good times.)

And what’s the rush when my due date isn’t for another three weeks? Of course, due dates are somewhat arbitrary. It’s dependent on how long the woman ovulates, how fast the baby is growing, etc. So it shouldn’t surprise me that after my most recent appointment (and to confirm my intuition), the doctor thinks this baby most likely won’t be waiting three more weeks to show her pretty little face. My cervix has already thinned by 50%, I’m 1cm dilated, and the baby’s head is pretty far down (which she says is rare for first-timers?). So once Saturday rolls around I’ll be full term and she might come any time after that.

Oh crap.

Certainly brings new meaning (and urgency) to the question, “Are you ready?” She’s almost here. Are you ready to meet her? Are you ready to take care of her? Are you emotionally, physically, spiritually ready?

No. I’m scared. I’m flawed. I’m inexperienced...

But yes. Oh, how my heart cries out, yes! Yes, yes, YES!

I am sooooo ready. :)