Discovering that you're pregnant can be one of the most exciting and life-changing moments in a person's life. The realization that a new life is growing inside you can bring a sense of wonder, awe, and joy. However, it's also normal to feel a range of emotions, including fear, uncertainty, and anxiety, as you navigate this new phase of life.
Oh boy, let me tell you about the rollercoaster of emotions I went through when I found out I was pregnant. I was just minding my own business, trying to enjoy my newlywed life when BAM! My period was late. I knew something was up. I mean, I couldn't even look at my husband's morning tea without gagging, which was unusual because I usually love the smell of tea.
So, I did what any responsible adult would do, I took a pregnancy test. And there it was, two pink lines staring right back at me. I felt like I had been hit by a bus. I was shocked, scared, and slightly annoyed because I had a whole bucket list of things to do before starting a family. But hey, life had other plans for me, I guess. It felt like my world was collapsing.
I reacted like a child who had just been told that nap time was cancelled. I was in total denial and kept staring at the test, hoping the lines would magically disappear. But they didn't. I was pregnant.
After I got over the initial shock, I decided to call my husband to tell him the news. He was over the moon, jumping up and down like a kid on Christmas morning. Meanwhile, I was still trying to process the fact that I was growing a tiny human inside me. I mean, it's crazy to think about it, right? Like, there's a little person inside of you, just chillin' and growing. I also confided in a few close friends, who helped me see the positive side of things.
But dealing with the emotional aspect of a positive pregnancy test was a whole other story. I was scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what the future held. It's normal to feel a mix of emotions, including excitement, joy, and fear. It's important to take time to process your emotions and to speak to your partner, family, and friends about your pregnancy. I told him that I was not ready to be a mother and he was so supportive. He said no matter what I decided he was going to be there for me and that made me feel so relaxed. When I went for my first doctor's appointment, I told her that I just gotten married a couple of months ago and I wasn't ready. The doctor smiled at me and said "Honey you are lucky to be blessed so easily, most people are paying 100s of dollars to get pregnant, remember it is a blessing in disguise" Hence we decided to continue with the pregnancy. After all, it was my first baby, the first sign of our love, I was mostly confused but somewhat felt blessed.
I'll be honest, the first trimester was a bit of a struggle. I was constantly tired, nauseous, and I had to pee every 5 minutes. It was like my body was playing a cruel joke on me. And don't even get me started on the food aversions. The sight and smell of certain foods would make me run for the hills.
Embracing the news of your pregnancy can take time, especially if it's unexpected. It took me a month-long time to accept that I was going to be a mother.I soon realized that I wasn't alone in this. I had my husband, my friends, and my family to support me. They were my cheerleaders, my sounding board, and my source of comic relief. My best friend would send me funny memes and videos to distract me from my morning sickness, and my mom would call me every day to check up on me.
As you come to terms with your pregnancy, you may start to feel more and more excited about the prospect of having a baby. You can begin to imagine all the wonderful moments that come with pregnancy and the joys of motherhood. I eventually came to embrace the news and started planning for the arrival of my little one.
Through my experience, I've learned that it's okay to react in a funny or childish way when you receive news that changes your life. It's important to give yourself time to process the news and to rely on your support system for guidance and comfort. And most importantly, don't forget to laugh at yourself along the way.
As you embark on this new journey, it's important to take care of your physical and emotional health. You'll want to schedule regular prenatal appointments with your healthcare provider, eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to eat a lot because of Hyperemesis gravidarum which means extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting occur during your pregnancy. I used to eat strawberry ice cream and Dahi-bhat (curd rice) only because that was soothing for me. But this led to gestational diabetes which we will cover in some other blog.
And let me tell you, I have never felt more connected to other pregnant women than during this time. We would exchange horror stories about morning sickness, share tips on how to deal with food aversions and complain about how we missed drinking wine. It was like a secret club that only pregnant women knew about.
Looking back, I can now say that finding out I was pregnant was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It was scary, yes, but it was also exciting and life-changing. It taught me to be more patient, more compassionate, and more grateful for the little things in life.
So, to all the pregnant ladies out there, don't be afraid to embrace the craziness that comes with pregnancy. Lean on your support system, make new connections with other expectant moms, and most importantly, don't forget to laugh at yourself along the way. After all, pregnancy is a wild ride, but it's one that's definitely worth taking. Long story short you need to take care of yourself, girl!
In conclusion, discovering that you're pregnant can be an overwhelming and life-changing experience, but with time, you can learn to embrace it fully. Take care of yourself, seek out support, and enjoy the journey of bringing a new life into the world.
Copyright © 2023 Aruneeta Srivastava
The experience has been beautifully illustrated. Great work. Keep going.