My 9 months of Human Creation

 

Every year millions of women witness a beautiful journey called the creation of life; some first timers, some already experienced moms, some young, some old & mature to understand these changes, some planned & prepared to take on this journey while others unplanned, astonished, unprepared & not ready to accept this change any time soon. Mine is this last case. June 2024 is when I got to know that I am expecting the unexpected. It was a wave of emotions when I tested using the kit. I ended up immediately throwing it in the dustbin after testing positive - yes, I did. When I came out of the restroom, my spouse casually enquired about the result to which I smiled and unwillingly said it's positive. I suppose even he was not ready as he thought that I am pulling his leg & asked me to get the kit out of the dustbin to assess for himself. 

I had always been a professionally focussed person, never been too serious about any relationship or rather never willing to take on "responsibilities" on the personal front. This news came at a juncture when I was professionally struggling, looking for better career opportunities. I also had a couple of opportunities at my disposal when the news of my pregnancy broke. I was already lagging by a year in my career & did not want to stick with the same company which did not understand the worth of resources and this was the most unexpected news, that would halt my career progression by another 2 years.

As months progressed, I got a lot of time to introspect. Unlike other people, I did not shy away in breaking this news to my boss in the 2nd month of my pregnancy (this is when I got to know too). I had no option since mine was a field job & he expected me to travel. 

Well, digressing from my career rants...Everyone's journey is unique they say, indeed it is. I am listing here how it has been unique for me yet common in many ways too. 

It's the same in the below ways: 

1. Hormonal Changes- You might have lived the best lifestyle before getting pregnant or a party wild life, you may have had the best hormonal balance or would have had PCOD/PCOS (like me), in either of the ways your body eventually learns how to prepare itself to rear the baby. It will take the charge in nature's best possible way to ensure baby is secured in the most optimal manner with the right hormones, nutrients. Rest, be regular to your obstetrician to know more basic bodily deficiencies. 

2. Staying Active- You might be prescribed bed rest, but I suggest (and trust me on this!) that staying active (mentally &/or physically) is of prime importance. Remember that pregnancy is not an illness that would require bed rest! Embrace this journey by ensuring fitness so that the baby nourishes in the same way when inside the womb. 

3. Diet- Each week is a different week for the foetal development and nature has very specifically planned 9 months of gestation period for humans (equivalent to 40 weeks). It is suggested to keep yourself updated about the required diet with the passage of each subsequent week. This won't be a drastic change, but subtle additions of nuts, vegetables and fruits, dairy products, meat (if you consume non-veg) etc. - all having varying nutrients required for healthy growth of the baby. 

4. Physique Changes- Yes, your body will change and it is bound to. Embrace it, do not hesitate to visit salons for pampering your regular self with all the needed spas, facials & waxing, you can or cannot chose to shop new clothes (I just bought a pair of kurtis & dresses). Towards the end of your third trimester you may also witness your legs/face/arms swelling, do not worry about the same. Ensure to keep yourself hydrated throughout your pregnancy, only that will help in regulating your body's metabolism. 

It's gonna be unique for you in the below manner (as it has been for me):

1. Social Life- I was an individualistic person engrossed in my own work or with limited people in my circle, but this one phase in my life made me feel the need of socialising. I stayed in my own little womb of aloofness prior to my pregnancy. I did not make a lot of friends (not that I never wanted just that circumstances made me stay lonely). On the contrary, my pregnancy changed me as a person (I can definitely say that this happened for the good), where I became more friendly, happier person whom people would love to have around, funnier (rather originally sarcastic in my own way) & started attending or hosting parties to expand my social circle, to know people & for them to know me better. This is one thing that I would want to carry further as well. 

2. Need for attention- I craved for more attention from everyone, especially my husband during this period. I wanted him to read more about pregnancy & discuss details with me just as I did almost all the time - in terms of ante natal preparation & post delivery responsibilities. Seeing him busy in his professional life annoyed me but I suppose this is normal & natural. Trigger warning - do not let any such issue hamper your relationship! Partners may not be very expressive during this phase since for them the world is the same & not changing the way it is for you. Just keep informing them about your needs, they might not know it otherwise. They might observe your patterns but your patterns would vary so much basis your trimester, that for first time fathers it might be difficult to even decipher those patterns. 

3. Body responses- Some to-be mothers undergo a lot of nausea, body aches, acne outbursts, hair fall etc. I was rather privileged to not have faced any during these 9 months. But that again varies from body to body more depending on what you eat, physical activities & other internal physiological changes. OBs have a remedy for everything that you face. Discuss openly with them, even your slightest discomfort. 

3. D-day Delivery- This will be unique too. You will either get into labour naturally or be induced or be induced yet not deliver naturally due to certain ad hoc complications or a planned C-section basis your body history. However, every way is just a step closer to your mini version; perhaps in the best way possible way so that both you & your child are healthy & fit. 

I still wonder why did nature chose this way of giving soul to a body & then bringing that creature to earth? Why couldn't it have been as simple as ordering it or praying for it & one fine day you get it Dunzo-ed or couriered to your door? But I am sure the bond that you build during these 40 weeks or the pain you bear while delivering the child makes you feel all the more connected than anything else would have. The 9-months with the baby in your womb teaches you be to be affectionate and love unknowingly. 

I grew more respect for my mother post this journey & realized how wrong I have been in arguing with her on so many matters. 

Oh! A brownie tip - if you have a pet, trust me you will see a different version of your pet, especially post the second trimester. Social media such as the gram show a lot of videos of dogs being overtly caring & responsive to baby movements. My dog did not explicitly show so much but yes, she has been very caring & stayed with me most of the time, lying next to my stomach almost whole night as if she has been safeguarding something inside me. Even on midnights I woke up to pee or if took longer than usual to come out of the loo, she would wake up & wait outside the restroom to check on my wellbeing. Of course she could not do much, but her mere presence felt like all the love under the sky!  

I read a lot during this phase (about pregnancy, women's body), gained new interests such as for painting along with losing interest in many things which I loved earlier (such as working whole day like a Zombie), got to know myself closely, changed my attitude for the better, understood the importance of a healthy diet & relationship...and the list can go on. More than just a "baby creation journey", this has been a self-development journey, which I will cherish forever.