WheN You’Re FiNallY PregNanT

one fine day, period was delayed and like most couples, we tested using the home test kit. and yup, it was positive, we’re pregnant!

we collected my first urine of the day in a disposable cup and placed the dip stick in and waited. when it’s time to look at the result, i couldn’t do it. i was terrified!

i stood by the bathroom door as hubby checked the result. he was quiet and as he turned, he said “dear, it’s positive. we’re pregnant.” he was very happy and had a big smile on his face.

hearing that, i went “oh.” i was stunned and couldn’t believe my ears.

hubby realized that something was not right and so he came over and comforted me. all i could say was “i don’t know” and “i’m scared”. it struck me that i was going to be a mom and that i knew nothing about it. this little one is going to be depending on us and i was not sure if i could handle the great responsibility. i started crying and was having mixed feelings. i was happy that we’re finally gonna be parents, yet i was so, so scared…

so yeah, that’s the ugly truth, that not all experiences are the same. do not expect everyone to be hopping in joy and screaming in excitement like how it’s usually portrayed in the movies. they’re movies, honey, MOVIES… so if you do cry like me or do not appear as excited, no worries because you are absolutely normal. it’s something major and your life is about to change forever. it’s understandable and there’s nothing wrong with feeling overwhelmed by the whole experience and new responsibility that comes with it.

anyway, after the initial excitement and settling in, we called our families and shared the great news. life goes on or so we thought! not long after that, i started noticing some unusual rashes on my skin. they appeared like mosquito bites but hundred times the itchiness! and it gets worse in the evening. i would sometimes awake in the middle of the night due to the severe itchiness. numerous visits to the doctors could not fix the condition. eventually, i was referred to a dermatologist.

the first thing he asked was about my feelings when i first discovered that i was pregnant. asked him why and what does that have to do with my skin condition. smiling, he repeated his question. as i shared the story, he smiled all the way. he then told me that the rashes are actually stress hives and that he will prescribe me with some cream and pine tar shower gel to reduce the itchiness. yet the best cure would be to relax and try to come into terms with the pregnancy and being happy about it, and they will go away in no time. and they did!

conclusion : i thought i was ready... i wanted this baby... we have been trying for a while now and this is exactly what we wanted. but even with that, i ended up developing stress hives! so i have to admit this - they are right, you will never be ready. just get on with it and you’ll do just fine!