6x what is really not so fun about being pregnant

A loved one is pregnant. A celebration of course. Proudly she shared her bulging belly on Facebook and was overwhelmed with congratulations. One comment raised my eyebrows towards my hairline (yes, I can still do that), namely: the great enjoyment can now begin.

First: Can women who are not pregnant not really enjoy? Is your life before pregnancy just a preliminary stage of the Nirvana that life with children is called?

Second: Have you ever heard of morning sickness? Or nausea in general? Exactly at the time when you don't want to tell anyone and you spend the whole workday wondering if you can make it from your desk to the bathroom as that wave of acid makes its way up towards your throat?

Third: Mood swings, another thing. Many women experience depressive periods during their pregnancy. Very human and normal, but miles away from ‘the great enjoyment’.

Fourthly: You are not allowed to drink. Call me a ‘alcoholic’, but for me, enjoyment in many cases goes hand in hand with a glass of this or that.

Fifthly: You have a cleaning frenzy. Maybe not very annoying for you, but your loved one won't be happy when you knock over his well-deserved vodka-cola with your wet dishcloth, which then lands right in his lap.

Sixthly: Fear. Suddenly it begins. You used to dare everything, but now you see danger everywhere. Flying becomes scary. When you drive behind a truck with pipes, you are afraid they will roll off onto your hood, onto your belly, onto your child. Is the baby healthy? Can you be a mother? Can you afford the studies? Do you have everything at home? Is the crib ready?

Being pregnant and becoming a mother is the most special thing I have ever experienced. I will write a piece tomorrow about what is so nice and pleasant about being pregnant. But the Great Enjoyment, sorry, I had to nuance that a bit.