I've already heard several horror stories, including a man who told me what it was like to watch people stick instruments into his wife's c-section.
I've also heard easy-peasy stories, and everything in between.
I've found the things that people say to be so totally interesting - the largest social experiment I've ever conducted. I don't view them personally or anything because it's pretty obvious these reactions are a perfect reflection on their attitudes and concepts of pregnancy and parenting.
Women that have never had kids but are considering it ask me technical questions. Women who've had kids give advice. Those that were scared during pregnancy try to reassure me - those that were ecstatic during theirs give me a way-to-go. Those that have never been around pregnancy aren't sure what to say, but what they do say comes out warmer and less canned than many other responses I get. Older people who thought I was already too old are surprised, while people my age say they thought it would be soon.
I wish I had written all of the responses down because they were each individual snowflakes in a blizzard of well-wishes. I appreciate all of the responses, whatever they are, because even the most awkward ones are attempts to connect with me during this time, when I need the people around me more than ever.
I've realized that in the last week of telling people. I'm not scared of the biological stuff. That's all very impartial, very basic, and pretty much on autopilot. It's the social stuff that feels like an unknown quantity. No matter how things go, easily or not so easily, I'll need all the moral support I can get.
Thanks.
