The Pregnancy Analogy

In our childbirth class (which was surprisingly amazing by the way - even Jim thoroughly enjoyed himself which is saying A LOT), our wonderful instructor Marianne analogized giving birth to running a marathon, a comparison to which I could easily relate and quite appreciated. In reflecting on this lately though, I've realized that much of pregnancy is indeed just like training for and competing in a marathon...

First Marathon, Houston 2004

• Marathon: Four long months of speed training, long runs, carb loading, and anticipation for your big race day
• Pregnancy: Nine long months of sleep deprivation training, belly growing, ice cream loading, and anticipation for your baby's big day
  

• Marathon: The instant connection and close bond you feel with other marathoners. Total strangers can talk for hours about training workouts, energy fueling, and race day strategies.
• Pregnancy: The instant connection and close bond you feel with other expectant mothers. New preggo friends can talk for hours about nursery designs, day cares, and birth plans.
  

• Marathon: Buying that cute new pair of running shorts to debut on race day!
• Pregnancy: Buying that perfect new outfit for baby's debut home from the hospital! 

• Marathon: Much needed & appreciated cheering from sideline spectators, even you know they are fibbing a bit: "Way to go! You're almost there! Finish line's just around the corner!" 
• Pregnancy: Much needed & appreciated encouragement from family and friends, even when you know they are fibbing a bit more: "Wow, you really are all belly! You can't even tell you're pregnant from behind!"

• Marathon: Some pretty yucky bodily consequences - lost toenails, swollen knees, the mid-run urgency to find a bathroom!
• Pregnancy: Even yuckier bodily consequences than you ever thought possible - nausea/vomiting, swollen ankles (well, swollen everything), gas that makes even your husband raise an eyebrow or two!

• Marathon: Exhaustion, pain, and discomfort nearing the home stretch of those final .2 miles
• Pregnancy: Exhaustion, pain, and discomfort nearing the home stretch of those final 2 weeks

• Marathon: Your well thought out race plan hardly goes as planned on race day - it's too hot, too cold, too rainy or too dry. But you cope. 
• Pregnancy: Your much desired birth plan hardly goes as planned on labor day - baby had something else in mind. But you survive.

• Marathon: Euphoria and feeling of immense accomplishment, pride, joy, and thankfulness for the reward of crossing that finish line.
• Pregnancy: Euphoria and feeling of immense gratitude, pride, and joy for the precious gift of your little one's arrival

• Marathon: Pain that is forgotten within days or weeks - thinking I'll never do this again around mile 24, but registering for your next race a month later. 
• Pregnancy: Pain that is forgotten soon after birth - accusing your husband of having done this to you around hour two of pushing, but contemplating when you want to try for baby #2 a month later.