My daughter is having a baby this week. She hopes. There is nothing like making it at long last to the end of nine months, waiting for the Big Day and not knowing which day is the big day. Is it today? Tomorrow? Five days from today? When? Will I ever get to see my toes again or bend over to put on my shoes? Will it ever end?
I find it fascinating how the aspects of being pregnant prepare a woman to be a mother. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. They happen without even being conscious of them. Patience is being taught. Here are three quick examples of what I mean.
1) Take walking, for instance. At the beginning you walk at your normal energetic pace. By the end of nine months your pace has slowed considerably. You are learning to slow down. You will need this adjustment. The baby is going to interrupt your hurry, time and again. This is a good thing. Slowing gives you a chance to enjoy and appreciate your surroundings.
2) Sleep. You go from living a healthy, robust, “burning the candle at both ends” lifestyle to sleep on demand. In the first few months you fall asleep at your desk at work, in the car, on a bus, in a movie, in conversation. Your need for sleep is gigantic. You can sleep anywhere, everywhere. And then, you can’t. The last 4 weeks your sleep is interrupted by your baby’s activity and pressure. Finding a comfortable position and sleeping for more than 3 hour intervals are real challenges. Call them preparation. You are in training: learning to sleep less, or sleep in spurts. These are necessary skills with a wee one.
3) Space. While you are happily creating space in your lives and in your home for your child, your body is creating space as well. Your psyche and your emotions are giving way to this new little intruder. By the end of nine months he’s crowding you nearly out of yourself! This is also a good thing. You’re going to need the patience to be selfless. It’s what’s so amazing about mothers. Trust me, you’re ready now. You will do well.
Soon. It will be over. Soon.
