Dear Son,
One day, you and your future wife will embark on the incredible journey of bringing a child into the world. I want to share some insights about this miraculous yet often challenging experience. Please take these words to heart and keep them handy for reference when the time comes.
Understanding the Changes
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that the woman you marry will undergo significant changes during pregnancy. This transformation is inevitable, and you must embrace it. You may feel like you’ve lost the woman you once knew; however, accepting this change is crucial. Your wife will evolve daily, and sometimes within hours, she may seem like a completely different person. The two driving forces behind her behavior will be her fluctuating hormones and an instinctual drive for survival. Trust me, you won’t fully grasp what she’s experiencing, so please refrain from saying you do.
Emotional Rollercoaster
During this time, her rationality may waver. You can expect her to crave unusual foods, experience intense emotions, and often feel overwhelmed by thoughts of the future. She may appear selfish as her focus shifts to herself and the baby growing inside her. Expect tears, irritability over minor issues, and a whirlwind of emotions. She may love you deeply one moment and express frustration the next. Just know that her priorities will change, with the baby often coming first.
Physical Transformations
Physically, her body will transform as well. Weight gain is inevitable, and it won’t just be in her belly. Avoid mentioning this! Instead, shower her with compliments, even if she reacts defensively. She may face a variety of physical discomforts ranging from headaches and nausea to fatigue and leg cramps. And yes, hemorrhoids are likely to become a long-term companion. Her once-cherished body may feel off-limits for a while, especially if she chooses to nurse.
Your Role as Support
As the months progress, remember that your role is to be her steadfast support. You’ll need to adapt and be the rational anchor in this storm of change. Pregnancy is not just a phase; it’s a nine-month marathon that requires your unwavering patience. Complaining about your own discomfort during this time is strictly off-limits.
Lessons from Experience
Reflecting on my experiences, your father was a shining example of how to support a pregnant partner. He calmed my fears when I irrationally believed he was being unfaithful. He held my hair back during bouts of intense nausea and stayed up with me when I couldn’t sleep. He jumped at every mention of food and showered me with love, even when I was at my most vulnerable.
However, there were things I wish he had done differently. For instance, carrying the pregnancy for me or tackling the grocery shopping would have made a world of difference. It’s the little things, like bringing home donuts and flowers, that can make a big impact on a woman’s well-being.
Final Thoughts
If you remember anything from this letter, let it be this: know her favorite foods and flowers, as these preferences may shift unexpectedly throughout her pregnancy.
Best of luck on this wild adventure ahead.
Love,
Mom