When a close friend of ours found out I was pregnant, she shrieked at the top of her lungs with excitement.She asked: "Are you reading lots of books? When I was pregnant, I read everything. You have to read _____ and ______ and _______." (I don't remember the names she threw out). "This book had the best information and if you're going to breast feed, you need to read _______.
"um, I got one book (What to Expect When You're Expecting) that I've been referencing occasionally. I pick it up every couple of days, read a few pages to find out what I should be experiencing and then carry on my daily routine."
"Aren't you curious what's going on inside you? Don't you want to know everything?" She asked.
OMG, I'm a bad parent already because I'm not reading every book on the subject of pregnancy and childbirth. I better crack open some books before child services knocks on my door.
A few days later, I got a package of books from our friend.
So I start reading. Sure they're a wealth of information, but I'm finding that some things are too graphic for me. I took Sex Ed in school. I saw the video of the birth; which I wanted to forget about the rest of my life. I now don't want to read about cutting and stitching and bleeding and pain.
I haven't picked up the 'graphic' book in a while. I should. I want to be a good Mommy.
Don't get caught up in reading everything. Let things take their course. You'll experience everything on your terms.
ReplyDeleteThe only book you'll need is Dave Barry's 'Babies and Other Hazards of Sex'.
ReplyDeleteOh, sister. She's like that because she got it all from me. I sent her those books originally. If you read one book about birth, the Birth Book by the Sears' is the one to go for. I referred to it during both my labors. And, honestly, it's not so bad. Challenging, but doable. I say this as someone who did it with zero medication twice.
ReplyDeleteOh, and you can throw out that what to expect book. It's pretty universally hated among the women I've talked to. :)
Hi Sandi!
ReplyDeleteThat's the book I was referring to...The Birth Book.
While it does have lots of very useful information. I got to the section about 'Snip, Snip' and almost fainted. And while the picture was a drawing I had to cover it with my hand in order to finish reading the page.
You'll be proud to know, I picked up the book again and am continuing to read it.
Thanks.
I read books and found that when it came time for the delivery nothing I read mattered.
ReplyDelete