Oh, the guilt … the guilt …
I have heard about “mother’s guilt.” But I thought that started when you actually were a mother.
I always thought I would be one of those mothers who was vigilant about not doing anything bad during their pregnancy. I would not touch Diet Coke. I would not let alcohol touch my lips. I would run away screaming if someone smoked nearby.
Um …
Here is a brief list of all of the “feel-so-guilty” things I have done (and not done) in the last week — which could wind up being Week 3 of my pregnancy:
- Drank “silver-label” Diet Coke (caffeine and aspartame)
- Drank “gold-label” Diet Coke (aspartame)
- Ate pepperoni (processed meat)
- Drank tea (caffeine)
- Forgot to take my prenatal vitamin on Saturday and Sunday
- Drank one sip of champagne at the hair salon — with the rest of the bridal party — before remembering
- Drank three sips of champagne, just hours later, while getting dressed
- Drank yet another three sips of champagne, during the toasts
- Sat near some of the bridal party while they were smoking cigarettes outside the reception (I waved the smoke away)
- Did not really eat any vegetables or fruit for four days
- Did not drink milk (calcium) for two days
- Ate a Wendy’s Baconator — plus fries and a whack of chips — for dinner on Sunday
That’s quite a list, isn’t it? Every time I would forget and pick up a Diet Coke, Darling Husband would shoot me this “Are-you-sure-you-should-be-drinking-that?” look. It was cute of him to be concerned, so I would finish it and then switch to water.
But part of me was just annoyed with this “maybe” phase. Sure, once I am actually pregnant, I will not order Diet Coke, or regular tea — at least not regularly. But I might not be yet.
As the weekend went on, I felt more like I was probably hallucinating those symptoms, I found it seemed silly not to have a Diet Coke. It became a conflicted inner monologue, every time I was asked for my drink order.
This month might be my last chance to have it for a while!
But it might already be too late. Maybe I shouldn’t.
It’s not a martini — it’s a soft drink! Have one.
But I feel SO GUILTY.
Thinking back to my trusty guide, it said a lot of stuff like “Oh? You smoked crack before knowing you were pregnant? No biggie! Just lay off the crack for now.”
So really, a few sips of champagne, a few Diet Cokes, and a weekend of general unhealthy eating is not a big deal.
It sure isn’t crack!
2 Comments on “Oh, the guilt … the guilt …”
So what do you think?
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Heather's Handmade Life 
You are the most amazing almost-mother ever! You've put more accountability on yourself in the past week than many women do in the entire pregnancy! Don't feel guilty. You're so prepared and responsible! You're going to be a fantastic mother 😉
P.S. Is it test time yet?!
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Awww, thanks for the reassurance! No, it's not test time for another six days, unfortunately. I hate waiting!
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