I LOVED Being Pregnant

OK, all you pregger women, don't hate me ... but I have to say, I LOVED being pregnant. I'd give anything to go through the experience again. The only thing is, I'm not crazy about the idea of changing poopy diapers, searching for the perfect preschool, planning Harry Potter- and Spiderman-themed birthday parties, or helping someone else with long division. I loved all that, too, the first time around; I just wouldn't want to do it again. But pregnancy without the child-rearing, bring it on!

I remember how thrilled I was when I saw that little pee-stick with the two pink lines confirming my happy suspicions. I ran out and bought a stack of pregnancy books, including the standard "What to Expect When You're Expecting." I brought home my load of books and starting poring through 'em, excitedly. I quickly realized that I didn't need to be told what my pregnancy would be like or what to expect. I dumped the books cuz they made me anxious and fearful. Instead, I just decided I wanted a delightful, low-stress, joyful pregnancy and that's what I got.

I loved watching my body shift and change. I loved the rollercoaster ride of energy highs and lows. I loved paying attention to every bite of food I ate, knowing that I was sharing it with a whole new creature whom I already adored. I loved my round belly and thighs. I loved my big boobs. I loved thinking positive thoughts and feeling good and knowing those things had a very real impact on someone else, someone inside of me! I loved my fun maternity clothes. I loved doing a headstand in yoga and imagining the baby feeling like he/she was on a carnival ride. I even loved the aches and pains because they reminded me that I was growing a child in my body.

And mostly, though I know this sounds really woo-woo California, mostly what I loved the most was feeling the direct connection to the divine: I was bringing life into the world! What a high. Every single day that I was pregnant, I was joyfully aware that I was part of this mystical, magical triangle - me, this baby, and something unknowable and bigger than both of us. I don't have a name for that something, but when I was pregnant, I knew it existed without a doubt. I was part of something much bigger than just my huge belly!