Holy Heat Wave - How Motherhood Changed my Internal Thermostat

Okay, “heat wave” may be a bit of an exaggeration. We’ve been experiencing highs of about 28 degrees Celsius over the last week, but with humidity that makes it “feel like” anything between 32 and 38. 

I used to live for weather like this.  All year long, I would shiver in sweaters, consoling myself that summer humidity would breathe the life back into my chilled bones soon.  I attributed my comfort with high temperatures to being born in July (in the middle of an actual heat wave. no less) as, while others withered around me as the mercury continued to rise, I seemed to thrive. For me, extreme sunshine came with improved moods, elevated energy levels, and improved physicality. I’d usually even drop a few pounds each summer without really trying. 

Unfortunately, this lifelong passion for high temperatures has been stolen by motherhood.  I am now 11 weeks pregnant while continuing to nurse my 18 month old. I deduce that this must be the hormonal equivalent of being menopausal because all I feel is hot, hot, HOT! 

Suddenly blasting sunshine is an energy thief.  Every morning I wish for cooler temperatures so that my daughter and I can have a productive day outdoors.  Every night I break into an uncomfortable hot flash that make me long for a crisp October evening. 

All the unenviable conditions of first-trimester pregnancy are so much worse in the heat. Be it nausea, fatigue, dizzy spells or hot flashes, sometimes I think that all I need to feel better is crisp, cool air! 

Bring on sweet fall weather! 

More Confessions From a (Somewhat) Pregnant Woman

I am now 10 weeks pregnant (10+3 to be exact).  That means I have completed a full quarter done the 40 week pregnancy journey. So what's different now that I'm moving further along in my pregnancy? Here are my confessions:

Confession #1: I'm Not the Woman I Used to Be
First trimester exhaustion hit me with a vengeance about two and a half weeks ago. I would estimate that I now have about 60% of the energy I had pre-pregnancy. That may not sound too bad until you think about all the things one MUST do in a day (i.e. go to work, change diapers, feed self and family). Suddenly there is no energy left for anything remotely negotiable (i.e. exercise, wash dishes, any form of recreation).  I have honestly woke up in the night a few times only to agonize over how tired I feel, which sounds completely irrational, yet it's true.

Whereas I used to walk to work, run an errand at lunch and take my daughter out for a bike ride in the evening, I now feel grateful just to make it through the work day.  Every day I wake up with great intentions for a full and active day, and every evening I drop into bed by 9 p.m. having completed a third of my list.

Small errands have become a big ordeal. I rarely make it to the grocery store. I have a baby gift for a pregnant colleague that has been in my office for more than a week because I haven't found the energy to run out at lunch to find a gift bag. Swiss Chalet is keeping our family alive.

Confession #2: I'm Spending Too Much Money
My pregnancy goal is to pay off my line of credit and save money for my maternity leave.  At one point I had ambitiously targeted August as the month I would transition from debt repayment to savings. It's now more likely to be the end of October, at best.

Part of me honestly believed I have an inarguable defence for my lack of progress - being pregnant demands new stuff! You can't argue with buying new bras for an expanding bust (and matching thongs)... or more comfortable pyjamas for a changing body.  New workout clothes to keep me active during pregnancy are essential to my unborn baby's health ...as are organic beauty products free of chemicals.  And how could one argue against a double stroller to accommodate my growing family (even if baby 2 doesn't arrive almost seven months).

Confession #3: I'm Trying to Communicate with My Unborn Child
I am inspired by stories of mothers-to-be who communicate with their unborn children.  There is nothing I would love more than my little bean to reach out to me and tell me that s/he is doing okay or give me a heads up about the birth (I'm trying for a VBAC but am terrified).

I believe this kind of communication is possible.  I think I'm intuitive enough to have this experience myself. I'm even reading Thomas Verny's "Nurturing the Unborn Child"- but my baby-to-be hasn't gotten the message yet.

I did have one dream that seemed prophetic.  It was just a flash of a large newborn - a boy - and I knew that he was mine.  He looked a lot like Lexia when she was born although even larger (shudder) and with even thicker straight black hair.  Not long later I had a dream that my baby was a south-asian female covered in fine hair from head to toe. Although I didn't get the same sense that the baby girl was really mine, my dream of her undermined my faith that the first dream was significant.

Fingers crossed my little one will get in touch with me soon!