Wednesday, September 02, 2009

A Thoroughly Unoriginal Observation

The last month of pregnancy is designed* to ensure that you're happy to go into labor.

Everyone who sees me says something along the lines of "you're huge!" (I am). My stomach and legs itch. My back hurts. I'm having Braxton-Hicks contractions almost all the time. I'm tired, because even with my old standby Tylenol PM, I can't seem to sleep more than 6 hours in a night. I feel queasy some of the time (the doctor says this may mean I'm not drinking enough water- but I'm drinking ALL THE TIME).

The real kicker is that I know I'm having an easy pregnancy. Imagine how whiny I'd be if I'd had some actual complications.

*This, from a scientist who firmly believes in the theory of evolution. When I'm awake at night, tossing and turning because if I stay on one side for more than about 20 minutes my leg hurts, I amuse myself by trying to come up with the selective advantage to the miserableness of the last month of pregnancy. I haven't come up with anything plausible. Anyone else have any ideas?


  1. Maybe it's so that you're so miserable that you don't GO anywhere -- like start following the antelope herd with the rest of the nomads, or something.

    I spent a lot of my 9th month (in fact, EXACTLY this time last year!)in my neighbor's pool and on the yoga ball.

    Hang in there, Cloud!!

  2. Anonymous5:52 PM

    I gotta confess, my last trimester was comparatively great. Only once I was overdue was I miserable. But then again, I probably had an undiagnosed case of hyperemesis gravidarum and was living in some realm beyond miserable for the first 6 months. The flip side was I wasn't ready for labor *at all*. . . Happy nesting! -Erin

