Tuesday, December 14, 2010

baby growing diaries #10

When you are pregnant, you might hear this…

“ Get plenty of rest.  Sleep while you can, because after the baby comes...”

It seems to me, what we have here is another case of those “well-intentioned” people, who are clearly not waking up 3-5 times every night, because they took one sip of water and have to use the bathroom AGAIN or because finding a comfortable sleeping position is an all out mind-body-spirit activity that takes every ounce of your focus.  No, these people heartlessly spew out these statements from their well rested mouths and non-aching bodies, because in their delusional minds, you only start to lose sleep after baby arrives. 

What a myth.  What a lie. What nonsense.  Today, I put an end to this falsehood.

Here’s the truth.  It’s been months since I’ve slept through the night and I’m not happy about it.  Trips to the bathroom are endless.  Finding a comfortable sleeping position is nearly impossible, without losing my breath and waking up my husband.   At least twice a week, I give up and take a bath at 3 or 5 AM because I know that is my only change of easing my aching body and hoping to catch a few more hours of precious sleep.  It is a waste, I tell you. A waste of perfectly good sleep-filled nights.  Now, some other cliché slinging individual might tell you that it is nature’s way of preparing your body for the times you’ll wake up at night with baby, but you know how I feel about those clichés. 

Truthfully, nothing can prepare you for what is coming, not even these little tricks that your body tries to throw your way.  You just do it.  You’re tired, you’re exhausted, and you’re never sure what day it is or the last time you showered, but who cares, you have the cutest baby in the world and there’s coffee- there is always coffee.  You just find the super human ability to function and care for your little one(s), along with everything else that must be done.  The rest of the world fades into a blur, kind of like those trippy scenes from Across the Universe, which is a wonderful film. 

So, I ask, is it really necessary to spend these last few months before your child arrives waking up incessantly?  NO WAY.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to be able to fall asleep and rest peacefully until the morning comes?  YES.  Are you tired of these tricky little antics from your body?  YES.  Pregnant women of the world unite!

Hmmm… this is getting crazy.

I’d like to take this opportunity to send a message, loud and clear to my body.

Hey you, listen up.  I do not need to practice losing sleep. Nor do I want to practice losing sleep.  And if I must lose sleep, it should be for a  good reason, not because of my bladder’s inability to handle a tap dancing baby in utero or because soreness has taken over my life.  Frankly, I’d much rather have to wake up to care for my child instead of  losing sleep over all this other nonsense. So, stop it already.

There, I feel better. Also, the retaining water business is making me feel like giant marshmallow.

And to all of you, “sleep when you can, because when the baby comes” people…  you now know the truth…. and the truth will set you free from sharing clichés with all of the mamas and mamas to be.  We don’t need clichés, we just want sleep.

And on that note, it’s nap time.

{Liv

34.5 weeks today.

3 comments:

  1. Seriously, are there people who say these things? Does anyone really believe that it is to prepare you for after Harper arrives. I've never heard of such a crazy notion.

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  2. Well, with exception to the bathroom call, I still don't sleep through the night....so I can totally relate...and can understand pain and discomfort!

    I honestly think it's God's way of enabling us to realize that we're going to be doing the same thing after the baby gets here. I nursed...so it was totally Momma that was up all hours of the night. Daddy had to work the next day and while he helped by changing diapers...the rest was up to me. Having number two is even more challenging...no more crash naps while baby sleeps because #1 child needs some TLC! =) It's okay, it's all worth it and it does pass!

    Praying for you. =)

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  3. love the little rant! I'm not a mom yet, but I can only imagine. I agree with you about caring for your baby in the middle of the night, I'd rather be up with my baby than up visiting the bathroom a dozen times in the night.

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