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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Those little phrases you cling to

45 replies

KatyS36 · 13/08/2009 12:19

Hi all,

I'm having a rotten time, and thought it would be nice to start a thread on those little phrases that you cling to and help you get though. Here's mine to start.

From a (male) physio who I say re pelvic girdle pain at 28 weeks and who advised me to move onto crutches. Said with a suitable amount of sympathy:

It's only for 12 weeks, and in the grand scheme of things 12 weeks is such a short period of time.

What are your phrases that are getting you through things?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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piprabbit · 15/08/2009 16:44

"this will pass" - suitable for pregnancy, labour and most baby and child-related issues.

Not exactly a phrase but my NCT teacher told us to breath in through the nose for count of 3 and out through the mouth for a count of 5. This is meant to help control your reaction to pain, but I've found it v. useful for allsorts of de-stressing and it's now become my mantra in all things trying and/or painful.

Good luck all blooming mums-to-be

kansaswelshgirl · 15/08/2009 16:49

This is not a phrase,but hopefully some encouragement. Not everyone likes being pregnant! I had no real pregnancy symptoms to complain of but I didn't like being pregnant either time. I felt like I should be thrilled as I really wanted both babies but I just wanted the babies, not the pregnancy. All the advice above of it passing, yes, it will pass, and you will have a beautiful little baby. Hang in there!

mumblecrumble · 15/08/2009 21:41

I day dreamed about a meal I was not allowed that would represent 'getting my body back' and as a well done type thing... granary toast, real butter, pate and onion relish followed by chocolate mouse and a good coffee....

Wasn't that bothered about this lunh when she was born - we were just so happy!!!!

What I found most encouraging was somebody telling me that although I;d never had a baby but that my body concealed millions of years of reproductive expereince. I was advised to think less and let my body do what it felt naturally. I remember thinking this [almost like a mantra] while I sat outside waiting for DH to start the car on the way to the hospital.

Good luck folks!!!

ITS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WORTH IT!!!

SmallScrewCap · 15/08/2009 22:41

"You can do this all by yourself and your baby will be in your arms by the time I come back on shift tonight."

These words spoken by lovely midwife at about 5am on Thursday morning when I was in early labour for my VBAC.

It had stopped by lunchtime due to some messing about at the hospital that freaked me out, but I will take them with me if I'm lucky enough to go into labour naturally again before we go to a c-section.

BertieBotts · 16/08/2009 10:22

Aww, SSC, that brought a tear to my eye.

I just remember being in the hospital and thinking "When I go home, I will have a baby" and it feeling really really strange.

morethanithot · 16/08/2009 17:26

i'm just thinking of that mega cup of tea i'm going to have after the birth.
what i've done is v naughty: i've bought 5 pairs of shoes, new underwear, and am looking foward to waring them after. no one will accuse me of indulging myself selfishly after the birth when i've done it before, ( and can blame it on pregnancy hormones )

Minshu · 16/08/2009 17:42

Repeating a bit of a theme, but words from a female colleague with two DCs.

"Everything about parenthood, from pregnancy onward, good and bad, is just a phase and things will change"

Although, I wish she hadn't stressed that the good things change, too.

X = 49 for me...

Runoutofideas · 16/08/2009 19:41

My lovely friend, who had her first child 6 weeks before I had my first, said when calling to tell me about the birth "wow - that was such an amazing experience. I'd love to do it all over again". Just what I needed to hear at that point. Other people can keep their horror stories to themselves!

greenbeanie · 16/08/2009 19:57

I was told to think after each contraction at least you are one closer to meeting your baby and you will never have to go through that particular contraction again.

fidelma · 16/08/2009 22:57

9 months of hardship for a whole other person in your life.Hang on in there all mums to be.

piprabbit · 16/08/2009 23:26

Morethanithot - totally agree about the cup of tea after birth, and the toast was wonderful too (I ate DHs as well, after all I did all the owkr ). Definitely something to look forward to.

Paranoid1stTimer · 17/08/2009 00:11

"It's only one day out of your life" relating to actual labour. Clung to that one once the contractions were really bloody sore, I was (it turns out) 10cm dilated n hubby stayed on at work for an extra hour after I called him to say we needed to get to the hospital cos he thought I was a woos....

"Count your breaths through each contraction... When you get to 10+ you know you are nearly through that contraction" Not sure it is entirely true as I couldnt really tell when the contractions ended by the time it was time to push but it did help cos you keep thinking "anytime now it will ease off again...."

"You won't remember the pain" It's true. I don't. I had so many drugs though, I don't remember all that much!

PaulDacreForExample · 17/08/2009 00:22

Distract yourself from late pregnancy leg pains, or contractions by playing 'This time next year'.

Imagine mixing your baby's first birthday cake, icing it and then wrapping presents.

I found this helped with contractions a lot because it reinforced the fact that discomfort would pass and reminded me to think of all the compensations to come.

This trick has got me through three labours and so there must be something in it.

Good luck.

twinsplus3 · 17/08/2009 10:49

feeling less sorry 4 myself today. Have enjoyed reading peoples little phrases

tiredandgrumpy · 17/08/2009 12:12

I second the 'this time next year' thing, although now my los are a bit older, I hate wishing the time away - they are far too gorgeous now & I'm all too aware they won't be los forever.

katster37 · 17/08/2009 16:24

Oh gawwwwwd, X = 110!!!!!!!!

Original poster

KatyS36 · 17/08/2009 17:16

Pauls 'this time next year' has reduced me to tears, in a nice way though!

Thank you

OP posts:

RedLentil · 17/08/2009 20:15

Glad it has helped Katy.
(the pauldacre thing was my DM name)

Tiredandgrumpy is so right about not wishing the time away though. My DD2 was one last week, and the thought that she is my last baby is making all the progress she makes bitter-sweet.

Though her new habit of chasing us all to give us kisses is very lovely.

Pelvic girdle pain is vile. I hope it is easing for you.

SmallScrewCap · 23/08/2009 00:32

I love the idea of thinking ahead to 1st birthday! Thank you for that.

I read somewhere the other day that 300,000 babies are born every day. A bit of googling shows that this estimate varies between 200 and 300 thousand depending on the source.

So I'm going to tell myself - "A quarter of a million women are doing this with me today."

Boobz · 23/08/2009 11:21

"Labour, even a really bad one, only lasts a day.".... don't want to scare any first timers, but my first contraction was on Weds afternoon and I gave birth on Sunday morning - so I don't hold much truck with that phrase!

My own phrase to get through labour was "it'll all be worth it". And by golly it was.

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