Why I Hated All Nine Months of Pregnancy
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Becoming a mother—from the first moment you find out you’re pregnant to the first late night feeding—is supposed to be such a natural thing. We’re programmed by magazine covers and other women to think pregnancy is wonderful, and mothering is instinctive. Women glow when they are pregnant, right? They dream about it like I did—and still do. They’re supposed to feel blessed when it happens. And yet that is not the experience of many people. Even those who aren’t afflicted with antepartum depression may, for example, hate the third trimester with all its aches and pains. They might pine for the day when their bodies are their own again. And that’s okay. That may be the most natural thing for them.
It seems like such a sin to be depressed about such a miracle. At least that is how I saw it. But it’s a fact of life. It’s okay to hate being pregnant, and still love the outcome. Are you feeling sad about being pregnant? Talk it over with your doctor. She can shed light on any misconceptions you might have about your pregnancy or delivery. If you’re clinically depressed, she can refer you to a therapist who specializes in prenatal care.
No matter what, though, don’t suffer silently. Broach the subject with other moms and moms-to-be. Chances are, they’ve felt the same way at one point during their pregnancy.
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