After going through one pregnancy myself and witnessing the pregnancies of several of my friends, I’ve come to the conclusion that although there are a few exceptions, nearly every complaint leads to the same advice from our doctors or midwives: get some rest.
If pregnancy were some illness that did not result in a beautiful baby, no woman would sit back and take nine months of pain, discomfort, nausea, and a whole host of other irritating symptoms. There would be an entire corner of the drug market dedicated to pregnancy and its ailments. Yet, because we are supporting the growth and development of a tiny new life, we submit ourselves to the highs and lows of pregnancy in happy expectation of a new baby to kiss and cuddle. We endure so much for that breathtaking moment when we look upon our sweet baby’s face for the first time.
Most pains and symptoms of pregnancy are “normal,” we are told, and we are instructed to “put up those feet” and “drink plenty of water.” When I was pregnant, I felt anything but normal, but I did follow my doctor’s advice and got plenty of rest and drank more than enough water to fill a large aquarium. Regardless of my symptoms, the advice was usually the same. Sometimes an extra bit of advice would be thrown in there, such as “lay on your left side.” Throughout my pregnancy, from light spotting to intense pelvic floor pain, I learned to worry less and rest more.
I think that most pregnancy books don’t give what pregnant women go through justice. I’m convinced that is one of the reasons women worry so much when they experience common pains and discomforts of pregnancy. What’s written in the book just doesn’t feel as severe as what they are experiencing, and so they are convinced that something is wrong. The next time around, I’ll know more about “what to expect when I’m expecting” from personal experience and I think it will make things a little easier to handle. I’ll give my body a chance to recover before panicking. I’ve learned that anything worth worrying about persists, even with rest and water.