Bad Advise
All the pregnancy books I've read suggest keeping a diary of the pregnancy. Keep a record of how one is feeling day to day to help you deal with, share and ultimately remember the experience. Now you all know that I am a strong believer in the power of the written word, but come on now. Who on earth wants to sit down at a computer or with a pen and paper and describe how she is feeling in those first 12 weeks? My diary would have gone something like this:
Day 1: WTF?
Day 2: The Mauritian can get his own breakfast
Day 3: Ginger biscuits do not work
Day 4: Blah!
Day 5: You must be kidding!
Day 6: Midwife appointment at 2.30pm must write on forehead so don’t forget
Day 7: Keeping a diary sucks
And that would be that.
One gets far too caught up in the misery and agony of morning sickness to care about writing it down. Besides, who wants to remember how crappy they felt? Morning sickness is not a pleasant experience, one that is best forgotten. To those who think keeping a record of one’s first trimester is better than wallowing in well deserved self pity I say: “Bite me!”
Another piece of advice is to keep a “food journal” so one can insure one is getting all the required nutrients per day and avoid those “empty calories.” Of course it also helps one remember what one has eaten that day. Now I don’t know about other mums, but I know for myself that I don’t need to keep a journal, my body is not afraid to remind me what I had for breakfast all day long thanks to severe heartburn and everything that goes with it. My question to these well meaning authors is: “Do you really think anyone is actually going to admit those “empty calories” let alone record it?” All the mum’s I know were careful about what and how much they ate, most of the time, but the reality is that sometimes that packet of crisps, chocolate bar and can of soda is a welcome indulgence and distraction from the constant concerns about what’s good for baby and what’s not. I certainly will not feel guilty about the three glasses of “Sprite” I had with Christmas dinner after three months of no coffee, tea or fruit juice and only water and milk. Neither will I deny myself that milkshake after a long walk on the Foreshore in the December sunshine; a glass of water with a slice of lemon just won’t cut it. Food Journal be damned, careful is important neurotic is dangerous.
One book even advises one to clean out the fridge of any old, unappealing and expired foods. Ah, correct me if I’m wrong here, but shouldn’t one do that even if one is not pregnant? Apart from the fact that it takes up room the fridge will begin to smell!
Then there is that little piece of advice that makes one think the author believes all pregnant woman are lacking brain cells: “...when your underwear is tight, treat yourself to a few new pairs...” or “...custom made suits are not a good purchase right now...” I’m like well “Duh!” honestly can you be more obvious?
But my favourite piece of advice came from my midwife; she very gently told me that the best way for me to remember things right now is to write everything down. “That’s all well and good,” I said with a grin “but I still have to remember to write down what it is that I need to remember!”
But when all is said and advised it really comes down to one’s own individual choices and needs. I don’t need to keep a diary or a food journal and I do keep a daily “to do” list, always have, but I do like to write and I do like to share. So now with that horrid first trimester behind me I am able to settle into the prospect of a second child, new challenges and a theme for this year’s blogs.
So watch this space for more gestational moments!
Day 1: WTF?
Day 2: The Mauritian can get his own breakfast
Day 3: Ginger biscuits do not work
Day 4: Blah!
Day 5: You must be kidding!
Day 6: Midwife appointment at 2.30pm must write on forehead so don’t forget
Day 7: Keeping a diary sucks
And that would be that.
One gets far too caught up in the misery and agony of morning sickness to care about writing it down. Besides, who wants to remember how crappy they felt? Morning sickness is not a pleasant experience, one that is best forgotten. To those who think keeping a record of one’s first trimester is better than wallowing in well deserved self pity I say: “Bite me!”
Another piece of advice is to keep a “food journal” so one can insure one is getting all the required nutrients per day and avoid those “empty calories.” Of course it also helps one remember what one has eaten that day. Now I don’t know about other mums, but I know for myself that I don’t need to keep a journal, my body is not afraid to remind me what I had for breakfast all day long thanks to severe heartburn and everything that goes with it. My question to these well meaning authors is: “Do you really think anyone is actually going to admit those “empty calories” let alone record it?” All the mum’s I know were careful about what and how much they ate, most of the time, but the reality is that sometimes that packet of crisps, chocolate bar and can of soda is a welcome indulgence and distraction from the constant concerns about what’s good for baby and what’s not. I certainly will not feel guilty about the three glasses of “Sprite” I had with Christmas dinner after three months of no coffee, tea or fruit juice and only water and milk. Neither will I deny myself that milkshake after a long walk on the Foreshore in the December sunshine; a glass of water with a slice of lemon just won’t cut it. Food Journal be damned, careful is important neurotic is dangerous.
One book even advises one to clean out the fridge of any old, unappealing and expired foods. Ah, correct me if I’m wrong here, but shouldn’t one do that even if one is not pregnant? Apart from the fact that it takes up room the fridge will begin to smell!
Then there is that little piece of advice that makes one think the author believes all pregnant woman are lacking brain cells: “...when your underwear is tight, treat yourself to a few new pairs...” or “...custom made suits are not a good purchase right now...” I’m like well “Duh!” honestly can you be more obvious?
But my favourite piece of advice came from my midwife; she very gently told me that the best way for me to remember things right now is to write everything down. “That’s all well and good,” I said with a grin “but I still have to remember to write down what it is that I need to remember!”
But when all is said and advised it really comes down to one’s own individual choices and needs. I don’t need to keep a diary or a food journal and I do keep a daily “to do” list, always have, but I do like to write and I do like to share. So now with that horrid first trimester behind me I am able to settle into the prospect of a second child, new challenges and a theme for this year’s blogs.
So watch this space for more gestational moments!
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