The Sarcastic Journalist is a freelance writer and mother of two living near Houston, Texas. She has a degree in journalism and an addiction to magazines. She is hoping never to experience the "joy" of pregnancy again. You can find much more of her home-grown snark at: shenuts.com
In addition to recounting 40 not-so-glowing but hilarious weeks of her pregnancy for our pregnancy calendar the Sarcastic Journalist used her sarcasm super-powers to help make our new edgy sarcastic pregnancy tickers. Check 'em out!
Week 5 : A oui (wee) bit nervous…
After getting over the initial “I’m having a baby!” shock, we began to spread the news. Of course, people asked how I was feeling.“Nervous,” I’d tell them. “Freaked.”
“If you are freaked then why are you having another baby? Why try if you’re going to be scared by the results?”
Might I add, at this point, that everyone who said that to me didn’t have kids.
The decision to have a baby is a lot like the decision to move to France. France sounds cool, other people like France. It would be fun to move to France!
Then you buy the plane ticket and France starts to seem a little scary.
You’ll have to learn a new language! They eat snails! Didn’t someone once tell you that people in France don’t shower that often?
Come to think of it, moving to France and having a baby have a lot in common
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I have two boys ages 8 and 11..I am trying to get over the initial shock. When I tell people that I am going to have another baby they say "Congratulations, I guess." I think it is because my kids will be so far apart. I think it is sooo RUDE!! How could you not congratulate someone? A baby is a blessing
Comment on 16th Sep '06 @ 8:09 pmThis comment is 1
Being pregnant is natural. I don't understand why people get so freaked out about it. Personally, I think it's wonderful, and am not scared or freaked at all. This is my 3rd child...I guess I just can't identify with this whatsoever. I think it's kind of stupid.
Comment on 10th Nov '06 @ 4:19 pmThis comment is 1
I liked the article, yes everyone gets nervous even if it is planned!! I find it so annoying when people bluntly ask...What were you thinkin!, Do you really need another baby?, or Was it Planned?
Why can't they just be happy for us regardless the situation??
Comment on 11th Nov '06 @ 7:23 amThis comment is 1
I totally agree with your article. This is my second pregnancy and even though it was planned, just as my first,I am still very nervous. Pregnancy is a beatiful natural process but not everyone's pregnancy goes smoothly. For me, the health of the baby is always a concern. If people had any idea of all the things that can go wrong in the human body, I think eveyone would be a littel scared. To call this article stupid, is just plain ignorant in my opinion!!!!!!
Comment on 10th Dec '06 @ 8:31 pmThis comment is 1
I'm really excited about being pregnant with my first child, but really tired of hearing people say "Was it planned? Well then congratulations." If I said that it wasn't planned, I wonder what they would say. "sucks to be you"?
Comment on 11th Dec '06 @ 4:16 pmThis comment is 1
I was so glad to read that article. It is exactly what I was feeling. My husband and I have been married 5.5 years and are ready to start a family and scared to death at the same time. As exciting as having a baby is, it's also very overwhelming too.
Comment on 21st Jan '07 @ 9:13 amThis comment is 1
I'm not so much being freaked out for having a kiddo around..
that's not the scary part :)
The part that is scary tho is that it completly turns around your life.
(at least for me since it will be my first)
And it brings along a tad more responsebility than i'm used to.
I have no doubt we will be doing fine.. still there are moments that my perfect happy feeling turns a bit eh... not gloomy... but there is so much to think about :)
still happy and feeling fine tho.
I like the aricle pretty much.. it perfectly describes how it feels :)
aniously looking forward.. but also a bit eh.. worrying :)
Comment on 25th Jan '07 @ 5:01 amThis comment is 1
I am the girl who moved to France...five years ago. I had to learn the language and how to live with the "locals". It was very very scary, but I did it! 2 days ago, I found out I'm going to have a baby! I'm not as scared about that as I was when I moved to France...in fact, bring it on! I know I can do it!
Comment on 5th Feb '07 @ 5:55 amThis comment is 1
After YEARS of trying to get pregnant, to find out you ARE pregnant is overwhelming. I thought I would be thrilled, but then I found out my HCG levels are not where they should be, so I can't even be excited. It is scary... There is no way to warn a woman of those feelings...
Comment on 14th Feb '07 @ 1:49 pmThis comment is 1
Yes, having a baby and moving to France are very much the same. I moved to Paris a year ago and it's been a wonderfully TERRIFYING experience. I'm now pregnant, in France, and get to deal with doctors, midwives, health information, etc. ALL in French. I'm happy, but I'm nervous. I think it's normal to be nervous...it's the no turning back thing. :-)
Comment on 27th Feb '07 @ 1:18 amThis comment is 1
I am scared to death. I am excited at the same time. I think about it and say I am going to have 3 kids, am I crazy my two make me want to pull my hair out. I am only 22, but it's a girl so I might be alright, I have 2 boys.
Comment on 15th Mar '07 @ 6:19 pmThis comment is 1
OMG It's like I wrote this article... I have a 6month old and wanted to have my children close together. My sister and I are best friends and we're 13 months apart. However, when I saw that double line I FREAKED! Can I handle two babies at once... WOOHOO!
Comment on 5th Apr '07 @ 8:33 amThis comment is 1
I'm 24 years old have a good job, went to University and got a good grade - but when I told my gran of my pregnancy she went ape! she said i was throwin my life away and was unambitious..It hurt..
How closed minded..
I'm happy about my 'little friend'..WOOHOO!
Comment on 17th Apr '07 @ 1:18 pmThis comment is 1
I'm 21 years old and i just found out i am 7 weeks pregnant and i am excited and scared at the same time. I am excited about the baby and pregnancy but am scared to give birth.. does anyone else feel this way?
Comment on 19th May '07 @ 2:04 pmThis comment is 1
LOL omigosh that is too funny. This is my first child and the word 'freaked' is an understatement. To say that its not a big deal and brush it off in such a nonchalant way, do spare us. Of course its natural but not everyone has a smooth ride through these 9 months. It is a big deal, doesn't matter if its your 1st, 3rd of 9th child.
Comment on 31st May '07 @ 11:30 pmThis comment is 1
We tried for 21 months to get pregnant. Last Monday, I found out I'm finally pregnant. Our first response was "Oh my gosh what have we done??" It's taken the whole week to get our heads around the idea and now, yes I'm still freaked, but we are overjoyed to be having a baby!
Comment on 2nd Jun '07 @ 10:24 amThis comment is 1
Having kids is never something that can be completely controlled its completely normal to be a little freaked about it! My first wqasn't planned and I went back and forth between being freaked and completely ready! This time I'm doing the same thing! I wanted another one so badly and now that I'm half way there I'm starting to let all the "what if's" run through my head!
Comment on 6th Jun '07 @ 12:00 pmThis comment is 1
When I found out I was having a baby, I freaked. Not cause of the baby part, but of the parents. See, I am 18 and my fiance is to. His mom was not happy, but she didnt yell. I am 7 weeks and still havent told my mom or dad yet.
Comment on 7th Jun '07 @ 8:18 amThis comment is 1
I just found out two days ago that I am pregnant with my second child. I am a little nervouse seeings how my husband and I were just doing divorce talk last week. I am 21 and he is 24. Well I wish y'all luck and mary no worries. It will be alright. i was pregnant with my first son at 18 and everything is alright. Just tell them that you need their support.
Comment on 11th Jun '07 @ 4:14 pmThis comment is 1
Reminds me of an amazing article I once read that explained having a child with a disability as visiting Germany when you thought you were going to Italy. This trip will be different, yet beautiful in it's own ways.
Comment on 21st Jun '07 @ 7:48 pmThis comment is 1
I'm sure you can imagine the reactions I get. My daughter is 22 and my son is 18, and my new baby girl is due September 5, 2007.
"Are you insane??"
"Um... was this planned?"
"You're braver than me, I wouldn't want to start all over..."
Being 41 years old and having bore two children, I think I have a good grasp on how a pregnancy occurs, and about what's involved in raising a child. I'm thrilled to be "starting over", and if this is truly what I want to do with the rest of my life, and it doesn't directly affect you, I just don't understand how you can decide it's a bad thing.
Also, Christina, I love what you wrote!!
Comment on 3rd Jul '07 @ 2:44 pmThis comment is 1
Being 21 and having my first child is very exciting....Especially with my boyfirend even though we only been dating for 6 months we've known each other for 3yrs. Every one including my mom keep asking why saying I should go back to school or model but I fill if God didn't want this for me he would have never let it happen it's a blessing and i'm thankful for it...People also ask is this what i want what am I going to do well like said i'm blessed so of course this what i want i've been glowing every since i've found out it couldn't have been a better time. Thank You Lord
Comment on 10th Jul '07 @ 5:34 pmThis comment is 1
We just found out we will be having our 3rd baby, it wasn't exactly planned. We have 2 girls who are 8 and 3, it took us a awhile for the first and the second was a five year struggle, so we really didn't think our chances were all that good at having another, so imagine our surprise, it's scary my oldest is in school and both are involved in dance and I just signed up for college classes to start a new career, my plate is full, so I can only think one day at a time if I start thinking to far into the future I freak out.
Comment on 11th Aug '07 @ 9:57 amThis comment is 1
We just found out we will be having our 3rd baby, it wasn't exactly planned. We have 2 girls who are 8 and 3, it took us a awhile for the first and the second was a five year struggle, so we really didn't think our chances were all that good at having another, so imagine our surprise, it's scary my oldest is in school and both are involved in dance and I just signed up for college classes to start a new career, my plate is full, so I can only think one day at a time if I start thinking to far into the future I freak out.
Comment on 11th Aug '07 @ 9:58 amThis comment is 1
This is my first and I'm in my 40s! Having made the move to Paris about 18 years ago and then moving back to NYC last year, I'd say that apart from the stereotypes about food and personal hygiene, the article makes an analogy that is very pertinent to me. Reading it helped to put the start of my pregnancy journey in perspective.
Comment on 15th Aug '07 @ 11:14 amThis comment is 1
Bon jour, I love this article... and I did love Paris. Being 40 does make it a bit more scarry then when I was 32/36... but now I know that I really want to try to enjoy every second that I can of it. Life is indeed good! We really tried for this and I wish you all the best! Snail eating isn't so bad once you get used to it.
Comment on 27th Aug '07 @ 3:44 pmThis comment is 1
Now do I have story for this one.... My husband and I have a year and a half old son and we decided we wanted are kids close together so we started trying right after I stopped nursing him at 13months and first try we got pregant... well when I told my parents my dad couldnt have been happier my mom on the other hand just sat there for like 10 minutes and didnt say anything!!! I was like what the heck and she said it was just she was shocked we where already having another one.. comon my kids will be 2 yrs apart I thought it was pretty good!!! Then my husbands grandma spoke up to me when my son was crying at a family event oh well pretty soon you will have two to take care of like I couldnt handle it. grrrrrrrrrr I think every mom is a little scared about having another child because so much is unknown even if they won't admit they are, but we will get through it!!! :)
Comment on 28th Aug '07 @ 10:27 amThis comment is 1
My husband and I are trying for a baby and its scary... pregnancy is an amazing thing as this will be my second pregnancy but you never know what will go wrong, we lost our baby from the last pregnancy because of an infection... so pregnancy can be a scary yet very thrilling thing..
Comment on 28th Aug '07 @ 4:17 pmThis comment is 1
I am so with you there! This is my first child... wow! yea that freaks me out just saying that. I have always wanted a child, but never knew how extreme pregnancy was. I am 5 weeks pregnant. The 4th week I thought something was wrong because I was alllways nausous. Now here I am freaking out because I dont look or feel pregnant anymore. OOO these hormones. haha!! thanks for letting me rave!
Comment on 30th Aug '07 @ 11:55 amThis comment is 1
I am 42 ..this is my 2nd pregnancy .. have 11 year old daughter .. just found out that I am 5 weeks along .. both my husband and I were thrilled and we decided to spread the great news and 2 people (my side of the family) belittled my news saying "Why did you get pregnant?? You are so old!" .. people can be so cruel. This baby is a blessing to me and my new husband .. and my daughter too (hubby says "our daughter") .. what do you do when people are this cruel ?? Suggestions
Comment on 4th Sep '07 @ 8:52 amThis comment is 1
I am 26 and this is my second pregnancy. My son is 2 1/2 and I am so nervous. Even though we were trying for a second child. I don't know if I am more nervous about the pregnancy, the labor, the money, or the sex of the child.
Comment on 14th Sep '07 @ 9:57 amThis comment is 1
I have a four year old daughter and my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for 9 months. As much as you want it when we found out this week we were like "Oh, Man! It's really happening." We are excited buy the nervous and anxious feelings are still there.
Comment on 19th Sep '07 @ 8:49 amThis comment is 1
My husband and I just found out we are expecting our first child. We are still definitely nervous, but very excited. I can totally identify! We both just graduated from college, and were only married 3 months ago, so a baby was definitely not on our radar. Finding out that we are pregnant was a good wake-up call that we can plan for the future as much as we want, but there will always be things that are out of our control! :)
Comment on 1st Oct '07 @ 4:36 pmThis comment is 1
I love this article!
Comment on 1st Nov '07 @ 6:40 pmThis comment is 1
for me this is my first baby. it's kind of scaring because this is my first.. but im also excited and happy that im gonna have a baby.. I was surprise when they told me that i was 5 weeks pregnant.. they told me yesturday
Comment on 21st Nov '07 @ 2:53 pmThis comment is 1
I don't even know how to tell anyone, i'm so afraid of a bad reaction...I'm only 5 weeks so I think I'll wait...
Comment on 27th Nov '07 @ 5:56 pmThis comment is 1
I know the feeling. This is exactly how I feel. My husband and I were trying yet when we found out 3 nights ago, I broke out into a rash. For me it was reality, in my head having another baby was a piece of cake, but reality is: OH MY GOODNESS WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!
Comment on 30th Nov '07 @ 3:09 pmThis comment is 1
Some people just stick their foot in their mouth and don't realize it til later lol. This is our second baby we didn't find out til I was 7 weeks pregnant because according to the doctor it'd be very very hard for us to have another. We tried for about 4 years did the whole clomid and everything. Anyway my son is 6 and so many people ask me "was it planned" "are you happy about it?" "do you want the baby" Seriously what kind of weird questions are these? I mean just because the baby didn't come when we were trying (which is prob why it happened I relaxed and wasn't so stressed) why does that many the baby not a blessing and a mistake? Some people are just so ignorant lol
Comment on 10th Dec '07 @ 4:29 pmThis comment is 1
I LOVE this blog! My Hubby feel it fits us EXACTLY! After TTC for almost 2yrs and going through treatment for infertility we have finally struck gold! I found out a few nights ago that we were about 4weeks along and we are just in complete and utter shock! We fought for so long to become prego, that now we are looking at each other and saying, "what now?" So, until we are comfortable breaking the news to everyone, we are using FRANCE as our code word for the baby! LOL. We cannot WAIT to see France together!
Comment on 30th Dec '07 @ 3:48 pmThis comment is 1
Shannon, congratulations. I know of a couple who also want another baby and it's just not happening. We on the other hand, have 2 kids, going on 3 and none of them were planned so to speak. I always wanted 4 kids, but the thought is a bit scary. No matter how much you think you prepared yourself for it, when the results hit you, it's somthing to remember. I remember the look on my husbands face when we found out about our first baby, I wish I would have had a camera. With my second, he was convinced that I was pregnant before I was. It took two different doctors checkups to convince me. Then it still took a while to digest. With my third, I suspected it for a while but he was in denial. Now we're both just kind of quiet and thoughtful. I'm excited but really nervous. My kids are both still in diapers! I still have to get both of them potty trained before this one is born. Good luck ladies! God Bless!!
Comment on 4th Jan '08 @ 1:59 pmThis comment is 1
There were a few members of my family who weren't all that excited for us. But we've been trying for so long that we finally told them all to shut up and so far that's working out for us. Now if I could just get my mother-in-law to quit trying to buy things for the baby...
Comment on 10th Jan '08 @ 8:02 pmThis comment is 1
This Is going to be my 2nd baby, and im scardy very very much , my 1st baby everything went fine . I hated the morring sickness , but it was over fast. But when its happening again, Morring sickness is the worst thing. I heard 2nd pregancy are always worst then the 1st ,, so that makes me even more scard
Comment on 7th Feb '08 @ 8:38 amThis comment is 1
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Comment on 15th Feb '08 @ 7:25 pmThis comment is 1
My husband and I have only been trying for a little over a month now and it's scary! Last month when we found out we were not pregnant it was so sad! So this month I'm really hoping it happens, just the thought of maybe we aren't compatible scares me. Wish us luck!
Comment on 23rd Feb '08 @ 11:32 amThis comment is 1
LOL This is exactly how I feel! I'm 5 weeks pregnant with my second child, and like my first, this was COMPLETELY planned. I am overjoyed to be pregnant, and absolutely 100% want this baby, but I have had 'bouts of "WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO???!" lol My first child is the PERFECT, WONDERFUL, ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL baby boy. Having said that, he has also been the biggest, hardest, most taxing challenge of my entire life. So I'm nervous... nervous about being put on bed rest again, and not being able to care for him. Nervous because it's almost absolutely certain I will have another c-section and be unable to care for him by myself after the new baby is born. I'm nervous that SOMEHOW (and I know this is cliché) that I will not PHYSICALLY be able to contain twice the amount of love that I have for my current son in my body when the new baby is born.... There's ALOT to be nervous about, but it doesn't mean I'm not ecstatic to be pregnant again... =)
Comment on 11th Mar '08 @ 6:31 pmThis comment is 1
I completely agree with this article. I lost my first (and only child so far) in July 2006 from stillbirth. I was 39 weeks pregnant and thought I was in the clear. Now almost two years later Derek and I are not really trying, but not preventing either...and as much as I want a child the more it becomes a possibility the scarier it is for me. I know that when it finally happens it will be the beginning of the happiest and scariest 40 weeks of my life. Nevertheless, it is something I will experience again. I think pregnancy is amazing and I loved my first one; it was perfect.
Comment on 25th Mar '08 @ 6:52 amThis comment is 1
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Comment on 27th Mar '08 @ 1:01 pmThis comment is 1
become or burnt, the tree, berries. When woods a young
Comment on 5th Apr '08 @ 7:11 amThis comment is 1
Lol. I am on the second pregnancy and it is so very true
Comment on 9th Apr '08 @ 12:08 pmThis comment is 1
I totally can relate to this. We JUST started ttc March 31st and already I'm pregnant. Now I'm freaking out lol. Of course, with good reason. I lost two babies last year so I guess being scared is totally natural.
Comment on 21st Apr '08 @ 5:01 amThis comment is 1
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