A Mommy Story

Yesterday a coworker told me that she was pregnant. I had been expecting this, because over the past three months she’s asked me all sorts of questions about being a mother, pregnancy, and raising a child. The pregnancy was unexpected, but completely welcomed by her and her husband.

I, of course, expressed how happy I was for her. And then, it happened: advice began spewing from my mouth.

I couldn’t shut up.

Every tip I could think of came out my mouth in a flood.

Faster then you can say “first trimester” I had given her a list of all the best baby websites, places to buy maternity clothing and bras, good books to read and books to avoid, free baby magazines to sign up for, and the name, number, and web site listing for my OB/GYN.

I actually realized, while I was suffering from verbal diarrhea, that I was giving way too much unsolicited advice. However, my logical self appeared to be disconnected from my experienced mother self, and I watched from a distance as I asked her if her breasts hurt yet and told her about how miserable the third trimester is. It was truly an out of body experience. I even remember apologizing for giving her so much information, but then continuing on anyway.

Why do moms turn into crazy women when someone announces they’re pregnant? Suddenly we’re a Momopedia of information about birthing techniques and breastfeeding long before the poor woman has even experienced her first bout of morning sickness. What biological instinct turns some into raving maternal lunatics who cannot shut up around a pregnant woman?

I remember when I was pregnant, I had several friends and coworkers (and even strangers on the street!) attack me with all of their information. While I did appreciate some of it, most of it was information overload. Besides, I really didn’t want to hear all the birth horror stories that moms were overly-willing to share in graphic detail with a smile.

Luckily, my coworker seemed to understand my need to tell her about all things maternal, and at least pretended to listen intently. She even asked a question or two (which probably didn’t help). I hope she won’t go out of her way to hide from me after this. I don’t want to be that crazy mother that pregnant women run from.