I’ve spent the last two years with an almost singular focus: making it to the second trimester. Of course there were the mini-goals along the way; trying to get pregnant each time, getting through surgeries, waiting through cycles as my body healed from large cysts and lost pregnancies. And then there was the obvious larger, looming goal of simply having a healthy baby. But always there was an elusive land that I wanted to get to, and for many, many months everything I did was aimed at getting me to second trimester-ville.
It almost never occurred to me that one day I might find myself in the third trimester. The third trimester seemed so incredibly far away and out of reach, I didn’t even dare imagine it. But two weeks ago I arrived.
While dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss, your world revolves around one common theme. Uncertainty. The constant swirl of looming questions in your head, “will I ever have a baby?” “when will I get pregnant?” “will this pregnancy stick?”, never go away. As someone who likes to plan and finds safety in knowing what to expect, I became surprisingly comfortable living in constant uncertainty. I somehow started finding safety in that, for if I stayed uncertain perhaps I wouldn’t attach to a particular outcome, or become disappointed or heartbroken with any one turn of events.
And so when I got pregnant, I stayed uncertain. Partly out of habit. Partly out of fear. I felt a lot of emotions, including hope, happiness, anxiety, and terror, but never certainty. And I’ve clung to that uncertainty throughout my pregnancy. Although I started going through the motions of preparing for a baby and speaking in certain terms long ago, on the inside I had yet to feel like it was anything close to a sure bet.
That has started to shift for me. As my baby boy has grown, and I’ve gotten to know him well through his jabs and flips and by him simply just existing along side of me moment after moment, month after month, I started to believe in him. I started to find that if I had thoughts of doubts about the outcome of this pregnancy, I immediately felt a twinge of guilt. As if I didn’t believe in my baby boy, and in his ability to be strong and to survive. If I stayed in an uncertain place, I felt like I was undermining and betraying him. I started to find it harder and harder to doubt him. And although I openly express worry and anxiety, especially when he takes a rest from his karate chops and high kicks and goes quiet, I find it almost impossible to vocalize words like, “if” and “we’ll see.” Words I used to live by.
Since this shift happened so late in my pregnancy, I feel like I am suddenly on a truncated timeline of processing what is about to happen: my shift to motherhood. There is a surrealism to this change that I think all pregnant women experience, regardless of fertility history, that makes the idea hard to truly grasp. But when so much of your energy during your pregnancy has been spent on navigating previous pregnancy trauma, there is little left for looking forward and truly internalizing this shift. I’m starting now, at 30 weeks, to begin embracing this change and shift in my identity; to think about what it means, and try to understand what’s ahead.
I’m thankful that this pregnancy has been so uneventful. My boy has given me no reasons to worry. My body has given me no reasons to worry. Once I surpassed the harrowing first trimester, I’ve had very few symptoms, save a burgeoning belly, some late night aches and pains, and an insatiable desire for cake. My prenatal appointments have been quick and routine; my fundal height growing exactly on pace and my boy’s heart rate always around a steady 140 beats per minute.
I am grateful. And although I’ll always worry about my boy’s well-being, I believe in him, and I have started looking forward to the much desired inevitable: becoming a mother to this sweet baby boy who’s been loyally with me for the past 30 weeks.
I am so thrilled that you have crossed over from uncertainty to a place of calm certainty and believe in your little boy – it sounds like an absolutely beautiful transition.
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Thank you…it’s definitely been an intense process/struggle but I’m making progress!
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Happy to hear that things have been going so well!! I’ve been wondering about you and your little, and how you’ve been doing. Also happy to hear that you’re working past your anxieties and embracing your pregnancy, no matter what week you’re in. I hope the next weeks are just as uneventful for you, and that your baby boy arrives in this world without a hitch!
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Thank you! I’m hoping for continued uneventfulness too, the countdown is definitely on now 🙂
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I wish I could like this ten times. So excited for the journey around the corner. Please keep us posted when baby boy arrives!
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Aww, thanks! Will definitely keep everyone posted as things progress!
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So happy for you! XOXO
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Thank you! xo
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I know that feeling so well and you articulated it perfectly here. At the outset of this second pregnancy with so many complications and a high potential for losing another baby, I felt like I couldn’t attach any emotion to the pregnancy for fear that I’d just lose it and be devastated all over again. But then I started to feel the way you did–that by not believing in this baby, in my body, that I was betraying him and that my doubts and worries would make the worst happen. I’m SO happy to see you in the 3rd trimester and can’t wait to join you there in a few weeks myself!
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I’m so glad you’ve made the shift too, and that we can believe in our boys together! It’s been an ongoing struggle for me, but I am happy to be getting to the other side of it – and feeling hopeful, excited and optimistic. Looking forward to seeing you in the 3rd trimester as well soon!
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You put this so perfectly. I almost still don’t believe it’s real but am slowly shifting into the motherhood mindset! Prayers to you and your baby boy!!
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Thank you, and same to you!
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Beautifully written. So glad you have made it to the point where you can picture your little boy meeting you!
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Thank you! ❤
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It’s so nice to hear from you again. I’ve missed your writing a lot and have thought of you very often. I’m glad you had that shift and that you getting more “comfortable” in your pregnancy. I felt as if you were talking to me through this post, I’ve felt all the same feelings this whole pregnancy and am really trying to not let the doom and gloom of past experiences get me down. I can’t wait for you to announce his arrival safe and sound and into your arms! Xoxo
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Thank you so much. It’s been a struggle and I’ve really had to break the habit of always bracing for the worst. I’m so excited for you, and am so happy your little babes are doing well. I totally understand the emotional ups and downs that this time brings though! Thank you again for the kind words ❤
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girl, has it been 30 weeks already? Time sure is flying and I couldn’t be more happier for you! xoxo
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Thanks sweetie! Every week seems to be going faster than the last! xo
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I’m so happy to hear that you have escaped uncertainty. I think as a mother you will forever worry about your little man, it is only natural.
How exciting that after your long journey you are finally traversing your last trimester, your last steps before you get to hold your beautiful boy in your arms. How magical!
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Thank you!
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Congrats! I completely get this. You think you will never get there after a miscarriage and one day it’s like hello third trimester! So happy for you.
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Thank you! I know, I can hardly believe how fast the time is going now!
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I totally feel you. Congrats on reaching 30 weeks! Only 10 more to go!! Yay
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Thank you! I’ve definitely started the countdown!
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It is funny, after seeing your blog I started thinking about you and how you are doing! I feel like I know you! LOL! But in all seriousness it is great to hear you are doing well and that things are moving right along as they should.
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Thank you, and thanks for thinking of me!
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“I’m thankful that this pregnancy has been so uneventful. My boy has given me no reasons to worry. My body has given me no reasons to worry.”
So thrilled for you both.
Blessings until That day,
Dani
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Thanks so much, Dani ❤ ❤
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