What You Didn't Expect When You Were Expecting

Elizabeth and I are planning on having children at some point in the foreseeable future. In fact, I've caught Elizabeth reading a significant number of pregnancy-related books in the past few weeks. I am 90% excited about the thought of my own little baby and 10% terrified. (Okay, I'll admit it! Sometimes I'm 110% terrified.)

For those of you that have been down this road, I would like to hear about your experience. What about the pregnancy process caught you by surprise? How did it change your perception of yourself and your partner? Should I be 90% terrified?

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David
Co-Founder of DailyHealth.net

David, I will speak for Curt on this one because he is walking a mile in these shoes right now.
First and foremost he didn't expect to temporarily lose the wife he knows and loves. He is never sure which wife he is coming home to after work. *Angry LeAnn* *Super sickening Sweet LeAnn* *Bawling crying my eyes out LeAnn* *Hate your guts and never want to see you again LeAnn* *Don't look at me like that or I may go crazy LeAnn* *I want to hug you and hang all over you LeAnn* The sad part is I know I have been a mood swing mess the last 10 weeks or so, but I just can't help it! It isn't me acting! I SWEAR it's the hormones! So the moral to this is there is a MAJOR change in woman’s body during pregnancy.
Two: (And this is a big one for most guys) He NEVER expected that our sex life would be gone. Notta-Zip-Zilch.
Coming from me though... With my son I was alone. His Birth Father was dangerous and so I left before he did something to me and I never looked back. I didn't know what it felt like to experience a pregnancy with anyone.
Now that I have Curt I am shocked at how much MORE I love him. As you know I am pretty head over heals for him but knowing that we have accomplished something so amazing makes me look at him through different eyes. The love is different. It's deeper and more passionate then ever before. Gosh. I almost can't put it in to words.
You and Elizabeth will start your own journey into parenthood soon enough. It's a roller coaster so wear a seat belt. In the end though you will discover a whole new love for each other. It's simply magical!

Good Luck. I wish you tow nothing but the best! It's worth it!

David, it's perfectly normal to be suffering from the 4 S's

Scared Spitless and Smiling Stupidly

you suffer from the 4 S's until the baby has worn you down and you are sleep deprived, then it just becomes another responsibility that you assume into your day (and a wonderful responsibility at that)

good luck! have fun trying for a family :)

kate

Thanks for the great advice! I am honestly scared about going down this road because I know my life will change completely. However, it is a change that I really want and I am excited at the same time. Diabetes aside, pregnancy is something that I am looking forward to. I hope to be there soon!

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--Elizabeth

Co-Founder DailyHealth.net and DiabetesDaily.com

David, Im a father of 2 boys. When I found out I was going to be a daddy for the first time I was excited because I always wanted to be a daddy, but then it hit me and I was 110% terrified for many reasons. IT'S NORMAL. to be both at the same time. but well worth the end results.
As far as my wife's pregnacy with both my children, she was moody but then again that's normal with her. It didn't change my perception of her, I still loved her regardless and still do. You will have to show her you love her by going out at 3am to buy her ice cream or someother crazy errand. But again, then end results are well worth it.

I was not prepared for my craziness not only during the pregnancy but AFTER she was born. My hormones were all over the place, I was so sleep deprived, breast feeding was so challenging for me and I cried pretty much non stop for 3 weeks. EVERYTHING put me into tears. All my friends thought I had lost my mind and then they popped out kids and did the exact same thing. No one warns you how absolutely wonderful and HIDEOUS the whole experience is. Thank goodness the wonderful outweighs the hideous, you never knew you could love something so much. Especially something that cries all the time, never lets you sleep and won't even smile at you until they are 4 weeks old!!!!!

Elizabeth, being pregnant was one of the most awesome events i have ever experienced in my life

yes, it was high risk, and that meant a LOT more Dr's appt's than what a non-diabetic goes thru, but with good blood glucose control, i was able to have a happy, mostly healthy baby at the end of my pregnancy, and THAT was worth more money than there is in the world

he's the love of my life, and i feel sorry for people who are unable to experience having a child of their own....................his father died when he was 10 months old, but hubby has been the only 'father' that he has known all his life, and his father loves him as if he were his own (there is no competition with an ex in this case)

good luck getting pregnant, and may your pregnancy be a joyous one!

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kate

David, is there any Type 1 diabetes among your blood related relatives? If not, i don't think you should be worried. My wife had no Type 1 on her family tree. We have two sons ages 38 and 41and two grandchildren and none of them are diabetic. Good luck!

Richard

Richard, there are no type 1s or type 2s on my side of the family. I hope our kids are healthy as can be, but I'm not scared about diabetes. If it does happen, I know it's something that you can survive (and even thrive with). But **knock on wood** that won't be something we ever have to deal with.

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David
Co-Founder of DailyHealth.net

When I was pregnant was the only time I ever physically went into attack mode. Twice I felt threatened, and boy was that intense. Do NOT mess with a pregnant woman.
I grabbed another woman and threw her against a wall, pinned her to it, and informed her ever so politely to stay away from me. I have NEVER been in a fight in all my 50 years except that one. The only reason I didn't hit her was because I didn't want her to hit me back in the stomach.
Another time I got cut off in traffic and chased some woman for miles until I lost her at an exit.
So, a bit protective, so play nice.