Being Pregnant = Being Incapable of Packing a Bag???
June 29, 2008 by Gabrielle
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
As much as I long to be a mother, there are some moments that give me pause. I wrote about one of those moments here.
Another thing that gives me just a moment of hesitation on my path towards parenthood is the belief that once your belly is full, you brain becomes absolute mush and you are unable to function like the adult human being that you are. The concept that once you are pregnant you are somehow not capable of packing a frigging bag for yourself. Because, when you’re pregnant, you can’t hold more than one thought in your little pea brain, right?
I understand that pregnant women are a lucrative demographic (as are those of us just trying to become pregnant), but I am amazed at the number of products and services that are offered which hinge upon the “you are pregnant so you need to a.) pamper yourself, b.) let us think for you or, c.) let us take care of you (because you are too engorged to function for yourself)” idea.
Am I overreacting? Reading too much into this? You’d tell me, right?
Humbug.
You know, I don’t think it’s so much “you’re pregnant, you’re now an idiot” as there’s a whole new outlook on life that some people (note I said SOME!!) need and want everything handed to them. They buy all prepared foods, they want everything hand delivered, they shop on line instead of standing in line, and so on. So, the next step is prestuffed labor and delivery bags.
I can’t wait for the prestuffed diaper bags. Can we send the dirty full ones to be emptied, cleaned and restocked? {ginr}
oops!! {girnr} was supposed to be {grin}!!! LOL
well i guess pregnant women are becoming more lazy.
Marijke, thanks for adding your thoughts (and thanks for the mention at Womb Within). I might agree with you that it isn’t so much pregnant women as it is a portion of society as a whole that is searching for more and more things to not do themselves.
bodydetox, Not sure I would agree. I don’t think pregnant women are becoming more lazy. I do think they are being bombarded with the idea that since they are pregnant there are things that they should let others do for them. I see that as a little insulting, but I appreciate you sharing your opinion.
I think that they are cute (at least the ones I saw on the website), and I can see how first time moms would buy into it. I can easily see that a lot of first time moms might not know exactly what to pack (not everyone lives on message boards and parenting/pregnancy sites) and what they might need at the hospital. If you’re on bedrest for a couple of months at home for instance, are you going to trust that your DH/partner is going to get the right stuff on your list for you? I love mine dearly, but I know my bag would be missing most of the stuff I need! LOL
That being said, they are definately not for me – I’m too picky!
Mrs. Impatient, you raise some good points. I definitely do NOT trust my spouse to pack the right things since he relies on ME to get his essentials into our overnight bags. I would probably pack my own and have it on the ready.
I am picky too – which is why I wouldn’t trust a pre-packed bag for me. How do they know my morning routine? I’d rather have a checklist of “should packs” (Marijke, I am smelling a pregnancy post!) and create my own.
Happy 4th!
I’m trying to get pregnant and when I do I will totally get one of these bags, and I’m anything but lazy or stupid….considering I work a 60+ hour work week and won’t have time to pack a bag….and they’re just cute!
Hey ladies! Well, I totally love the Babytime labor bag that I received at my shower recently! While the article above is quite witty, I recommend that every shower gifter or mom-to-be first check it out for themselves before assuming it is a “novelty” type item! Funny, no one above mentioned the very useful items in the bag, as well as the multi-functionality of the bag as a diaper bag, book bag, etc! I have the quilted black bag- very nice! It includes the most comfortable slippers, a onesie, flip flops, grooming products, nursing pads, labor information, etc. All I have to add is my own labor music mix and a me and my baby’s change of clothes! This is an exceptional gift item, and the gifter can even add personilzed items for the mom-to-be of course. you can see it at http://www.babytimebags.com
You know, you ladies are starting to sway my opinion here – on the bags, not my general statements re: commodification of pregnancy and trying to get pregnant.
Thanks for adding your thoughts. I appreciate it!