Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Taking it Easy

So the past several months I have been asked a question. Mainly from people at work, but also just from random inquisitive people. The question, " So how close to your due date are you working?" This question amazed me. Actually, I guess what amazed me was everyones SHOCK when I would say, "Ummm...I am working until my water breaks!" (for the record this answer sorta horrified Justin). Seriously though, I had NO PLANS to take time off before this sweet baby arrived. I honestly didn't see a need. I didn't want to waste my time off, and I felt totally fine, so I was rolling with it all the way until the end. There was no other logical option. I was perfectly normal. Why would I need to take off??

Now, many people thought this was insane. I had women telling me they took off the entire month before because they were just to exhausted to work. Really?? REALLY?? A MONTH before...just to REST. I thought they were insane. Either that or I thought I was immune to all negative pregnancy side effects because I was FINE to keep working. And not only to keep working, but then to do all the normal stuff I always do after work and on the weekends. I was maintaining my normal life. Didn't bother me at all. Sure I was tired when I got into bed at night, but who isn't??

Then nearly two weeks ago I was forced to slow down. Cut back to 20 hours of work. On light duty. Doctor ordered rest. I thought I would die of boredom. What would I DOOOOO?? There is only so much TV to watch...only so many books to read. I would force myself into labor just so I could get up and DO something. Well...I was totally (TOTALLY) wrong. I had no idea how tired I actually was. No idea how far I was running myself down! NO idea that 20 hours would feel like PLENTY, and the relaxation would be a welcome addition to my schedule. I know as each day passes that I am getting farther along with the pregnancy, so I am getting more and more tired, but I really don't know that I would have been aware of it. I would have just kept going.

Now that I am forced to rest, man does it feel great! I am watching an amazing amount of TV (totally hooked on the Learning Channel...mainly "A Baby Story"...which may or may not keep making me cry) and I am reading (decided to dive back into the Harry Potter Books. Nothing sucks me in like seven books at the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry). Beyond that though, I am just resting. I am taking things slow and really getting ready for this baby. I didn't realize how exhausted I was, but now nearly two weeks in, I can tell how much better I am. My blood pressure doesn't really show it (or maybe it does because it isn't going up, it is staying border line) but I can FEEL it. I needed to slow down. And I am just not the type of person who does that well on my own. I needed a push. Like a doctors order. Or a trip to the hospital. Or maybe both. I guess these doctors know what they are talking about after all!

6 comments:

  1. I think you are going to appreciate this rest period so much -- especially once you do have a little one at home to keep you busy, busy, busy!!

    If you are looking for another book to read - this one baby related - I am about half-way through "A Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year" and I'm liking it. It's written in a very humorous, down to earth way, and isn't quite the textbook-like quality like so many of the others.

    Just a suggestion in case you get tired of watching TV!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I am so the same way. I worked up until the day my Alyce was suppose to be born. I was ready to get away from my job. I did not know how to take it easy either. But I have gotten better at it. Have a nice day and kick your feet up. Enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Totally glad you're resting now. Not only do you need it, but it's your last chance to rest without taking care of a baby. :)

    I'm taking 4 weeks of vacation before my leave. Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you are having a good time resting.

    There is nothing wrong with watching too much TV. Right after Shawn died watching endless hours of mindless TV was the only thing that got me throught the day and it actually made the time go by fast.

    Have fun doing nothing for a little while...it won't last for long!

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMGosh... get all the rest you can now. You're not gonna get good sleep again for years!

    I had a great boss when I was pregnant with my first and he let me start working from home a month before my due date. I had planned on working at the office until my water broke, too... but there just came a day when it was too darned hard.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am exactly the same way - in fact, my DH says it's a good thing I had the extreme fatigue during the first 11 weeks otherwise the twins might not have grown properly because I'm not a relaxing or slowing down type of person.

    I actually have a blog post brewing about this very subject of time off...

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin