Is it normal to not like being pregnant?

Question

I am 4.5 months pregnant and not really enjoying being pregnant. So many people that I know say they love being pregnant, I am not one of them and I actually cannot wait for it to be over! I feel bad for feeling this way and although my husband and I am excited for the end result, I am not having a good time. I am grouchy and emotional and feel gross.. I feel like I am not me anymore! My body is loosing muscle tone, my boobs are huge, I have no clothes that fit but I am not showing yet and way to small for maternity clothes..... have other woman felt this way. I am kind of depressed about it and I do not know how to get over it.

Hey dillywa, I am 29, a VP of a consulting firm, and the oldest child, no I have not been the baby. What a useless answer to a common problem amongst pregnant woman. Your neagativity is not needed right now.

Answer 1

I didn't like being pregnant, either. You're very normal.

I think you're at one of the hardest points in pregnancy as far as self-image goes. Your body has changed enough that you feel bigger and uncomfortable, but you're worried that you don't look pregnant, just fat. Add the crazy emotions, and it's hard to have a good time.

For me, I felt better about pregnancy once my belly "popped" and the maternity clothes fit. As I got farther along, I was less emotional, too, and I know that helped. Hopefully, the same will happen to you. Obviously, if you start to feel really depressed, you should talk to your doctor. Be assured, though, that what you're feeling now is normal and disliking pregnancy is no reflection on how you feel about your baby

Answer 2

With my first baby I love being pregnant. I had no problems, no symptoms. It was great. With my current pregnancy it's been one thing after another. I hate being pregnant this time around. I've been sick pretty much since 5 weeks and I'm 35 week tomorrow. It's just been horrible on my body and I can't wait for it to be over. I'm huge and feel gross (like you) and I'm just so ready for it to be over and done with. I think what you are feeling is normal. Not all people feel wonderful and love their pregnancies. It doesn't mean you won't love your baby. You're body is going through a LOT right now. It's rough for some and not for others. Like I said I had one great pregnancy and one not so great. Just hang in there. Once the baby comes you will start to feel better about a lot of things. Just try not to get too down about it. Good luck!

Answer 3

You do _not_ need to "see your doctor" because you don't enjoy being larger (without actually looking pregnant), grouchy, emotional, &c.

Frankly, I'm starting to get curious about the ones who do love it. All I can assume is that they have an entirely different set of side effects from me. The bloating, the acne, the retching every time I try to brush my now-filthy teeth, the moodiness, the exhaustion with the inability to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time, the... Yeesh!

You can find stuff like "50 reasons to be glad you're pregnant" on-line, but I admit even a lot of them irritate me. "Bigger boobs!" Yeah -- hate them. " The list I'm looking at right now (http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/50reasonstobeglad/) mentions "...a great excuse to buy lots of pretty new bras." How having to ditch the ones I liked, never mind the breasts I liked, and go for expensive, industrial-strength nursing things is a plus, I have no idea.

Yeah, we're thrilled about the end result here, too, and there are more than a few moments where I don't mind it to the point that I can enjoy it, but, for the most part, it's not such a great deal.

I think you'd hear a lot more about women disliking being pregnant if there wasn't so much societal pressure to claim to feel otherwise.

How to get over it, though, seems simple to me: rarely does one deal with something lousy that has a date circled on the calendar when much of it is guaranteed to end. Buck up!

Edited to add, especially in light of 'dillywa' and your response to same -- I _think_ disliking the whole business is more common among somewhat older women. For one, it's usually _physically_ easier if you're 18. And, reading various articles, and this section of Yahoo! Answers, teen pregnancy seems to involve a surprising amount of "ooh, lookit these cute things I get to buy. And I'm gonna have a baby to luv and mi BF is gonna marry me an'..." In this case, I think, immaturity occasionally helps.

No disrespect meant to the considerable stress more sane pregnant teen-agers must go through, of course. But a number of them seem to be focused to bizarre extent on themselves and how they think a baby will improve their lives; again, the concerns are about a 'theme' for the nursery, not, say, budgeting for university tuition in 18 years.

But, it being physically easier has to help quite a lot. There's a good article in this month's issue of a magazine called "Brain, Child" by a teacher who was pregnant while three of her (c. 17 yrs old) students were. She's throwing up while they're glowing, etc, and I suspect that's not too uncommon. Apart from the zits, I'm pretty sure my 21-year-old self would've felt a lot better, physically, doing this than my 31-year-old self does.

Answer 4

oh believe me I know how u feel I would rather give birth 10 times then be pregnant.When u get bigger and people start to notice they will pay more attention to u and that helps a bit but just remember what comes out of all of this pain and suffering a beautiful baby.You will soon start to get that glow and the compliments will start flying.You should join a group that there r pregnant women so u can help each other a learn that how u feel is normal and to try n not feel bad about feeling this way.Your hormones r everywhere you gain weight and your organ r pushed around and men seem to think nothing of it oh how I would love them to experience a water melon coming out there a...hole so they could have a little knowledge on how it feels just to give birth.Anyway have a great x-mas ans a happy new yr and just think at this time next yr u will have a bundle of joy.Bye 4 now.

Answer 5

I think that's a pretty normal feeling. I've only been pregnant once and I have to say I didn't care much for it. How are you supposed to feel all glowing and beautiful when you feel like a big bloated cow? The good thing is that other people generally don't see you that way. And remember, it won't last forever even though right now it seems like it. Hang in there girl!

Answer 6

yes, different emotions go along with a changing body and hormones. it is totally normal to feel a little like...yuck...but if you are feeling this way all the time and you are loosing sleep over it, or thinking difficult thoughts in your head you need to tell your doctor, the grouchy and gross feelings are normal, but, make sure you take care of your self and that little life inside. make sure you tell your doctor what you are emotionally feeling as well as physical

Answer 7

Some women love pregnancy.
Some can't stand it.
Don't waste precious time or energy over this natural process.
Save all your mind and emotions for the next 20 years of child-raising.

Answer 8

I have heard of other women that felt that way, I am also 4.5 months pregnant, I dont mind it. I have moments when I am not thrilled with it but overall Im pretty happy. I would try talking to your doctor. You may be at risk for post pardum depression.

Answer 9

im excited about having another child but i also hate being pregnant but that is the price we have to pay to have a beautiful wonderful child its all worth it in the end.

Answer 10

SOME WOMEN LOVE BEING PREGNANT AND SOME DISLIKE IT LOTS...YOU ARE NORMAL. YOU JUST HAVE TO GET THROUGH IT AND IT WILL ALL GO AWAY WHEN THAT LITTLE BUNDLE IS PLACED IN YOUR ARMS. GOOD LUCK, MOM.