Because every woman’s pregnancy is unique, our Being Pregnant series is a way to share a variety of maternity experiences on the blog.
Today we’re featuring Catherine Gacad of Dear Vixen, a blog born out of an advice column Catherine wrote for the University of Chicago’s newspaper while earning her MBA. Besides blogging about her life in San Francisco and her love of traveling, Catherine voices her opinions on finance, retirement, current events, and faith.
Catherine contacted me about participating in this series because she wanted to share her perspective on being pregnant after dealing with two miscarriages. Read on to learn about how she’s coping with this third pregnancy.
Q. Did you always know you wanted to be a mother? How many children did you imagine you’d have?
For the longest time I thought I’d never have children. Babies didn’t really cross my mind because my whole life was devoted to academics and career. I love kids, but they were never part of my future plan. I didn’t meet my husband until late in life, and it was only then that I came around to the idea.
Q. When is your due date?
May 21, 2014
Q. Do you know if you’re having a boy or girl? Do you have a gender preference?
We want to be surprised—which seems to be rare these days. My husband would be happy with either gender, but I prefer a boy because I want a kid to get dirty with. I’d rather run around outside, hike, and collect insects versus coloring, braiding dolls’ hair, or setting up a tea party. If I have a girl, I’m going to raise her as a tomboy.
Q. Do you have a name picked out? What do you consider when picking a name?
We have names picked out for each gender. I have a rare last name, and I believe I’ve benefited greatly from having a unique name, just in terms of people being able to find me and having built up brand/name recognition. So having a unique name was important for me in naming my child. Unique, but not unheard of!
Q. Tell us a little bit about this pregnancy.
This is my third consecutive pregnancy, but it will be my first child. I suffered two back-to-back miscarriages: one at about 8 weeks and another around 4-5 weeks. I was absolutely heartbroken. I wear two pinky rings every day next to my wedding band as a reminder, not that I can ever forget.
After my second miscarriage, I subsequently found myself pregnant for this third time and have been paralyzed with fear. It’s been very hard emotionally. My husband and I have severe anxiety each time we visit the doctor, and are so relieved with every confirmation that the baby is healthy.
Q. What’s the best thing about being pregnant?
That I created life with the love of my life, that this baby is half me and half my husband. I can’t wait for its arrival.
Q. What’s the worst thing about being pregnant?
Probably the fact that my body is one big itch: acne has pervaded by back, a rash rings the stomach area where I’m expanding, and my scalp is dry.
Q. Have you had any specific or unusual cravings?
I’m a junk food addict even when I’m not pregnant, and lately I’ve been craving Ruffles potato chips and dip. I can’t get enough.
Q. How do you dress the bump?
I have a closet full of dresses, but very few fit because of the bump, and I’m not keen on buying expensive clothing to maintain my fashion style for a few months. I’m usually wearing simple basics that are larger than my normal size: black leggings from H&M and t-shirts from the J.Crew Factory Outlet. Very comfortable.
Q. What are the essentials that have gotten you through the pregnancy so far?
A lot of sleep! Although I never had any morning sickness, I’m still very tired. It’s hard enough getting myself to work every day, by the time I come home I’m ready for bed.
Q. What are your biggest fears about becoming a mother?
My only fear is around the pregnancy. I don’t think I’d be able to handle a third loss, especially now that I’m 20 weeks along [at the time of this interview]. As for being a mother, I have zero concerns or doubts because I was mothered by a great mother. That’s the best training and preparation one could ever have.
********
If you’d like to share your pregnancy experience on the blog, please send me an email with “Being Pregnant” as the subject.
PS – More pregnancy interviews, featuring Laurel from A Bubbly Life, Liz from Say Yes to Hoboken, and Lexy from A Proper Pinwheel.
Heartbreaking. I’m so glad that Catherine reached out to you and was willing to share her experience. Thank you for sharing her story.
thank you laura for reading my responses and commenting!
Catherine, I seriously have been so excited for you since you announced you were pregnant. So, I truly loved hearing more about this pregnancy here today and cannot wait for May now for you and your husband!! 🙂
janine, you’ve been such a strong supporter. i’ve always appreciated your thoughtfulness and encouragement. may can’t come soon enough!
Great interview, Catherine – I love seeing all the photos of you! As a reader who has been following you since your first pregnancy, it brings me such joy to read each and every post concerning this pregnancy. May it continue to progress well while that little boy (or girl!) grows big and strong.
thank you so much dana, you’ve been with me since the beginning. this monkey’ll give you a big smile once i introduce him (or her) to all my bloggy friends!
Aw, Catherine. How nice to find out even more about your pregnancy! I love spring/summer babies. Sigh. And I appreciated your very honest interview, and I imagine your words are a comfort to others.
I’m so glad I found your blog fairly recently! What a fun ride you’re taking your readers on. House hunting! A baby!
tamara, this baby is going to overshadow my own birthday in june. haha! but i guess that’s how it’ll have to be from here on out. i have a friend who shares a birthday with her kid and she said she’s always so surprised when people bring her a present. she’s like, “for me? are you serious?”
So happy for you Catherine!! How wonderful that you’ll soon be able to bring a bundle of joy into this world with someone you love 🙂 Hopefully the remainder of your pregnancy will be with ease and peace, don’t stress too much! Have a wonderful day and congrats on your feature! -Iva
thank you iva. since the interview, my anxiety has lessened because i’ve recently started feeling the baby kick. yay! it’s pretty regular, too, which is fantastic. it’s telling me not to worry!
Beautiful interview, Catherine! Your openness about your miscarriages and anxiety about this pregnancy will surely strike a chord with some folks reading this. They will be inspired by your faith and optimism.
Ruffles and dip, eh? Is that a Ranch dip? Salsa? Now you’re just making me hungry!
thank you mo! yes, it’s ranch dip that i am eating like it’s going out of style. what wine goes with chips and dip?! i guess any. maybe a good zin to counter the saltiness.
Sorry to hear about the 2 miscarraiges. I love that you are opting for a unique name. People have a hard time pronouncing my unique name at first, but once they get it right they don’t forget it! So I agree with you on the brand recognition!
yes gracielle, i’m sure it was tough when you were young, but as you get older, you really appreciate the unique name. i definitely do!
Catherine, you look adorable (and not even pregnant in your puffy coat). I’m sorry to hear of your miscarriages – that is heartbreaking. May God keep you and your baby safe through these months. I cannot wait to “meet” your baby on your site.
yes jean, my baby is going to have a big smile for you when it finally arrives. i am only half way there. sigh! but i have bookmarked your disneyland post and ready for more insight on your travels with your kids to help me when i get to that stage 🙂
Catherine, you are totally going to rock motherhood! I am so with you on a unique name. Every other female person of my age is named Lisa. Blech. We didn’t go for unusual names, but neither of my kids has ever been in a class with a person who had their name. YAY!! –Lisa
you go lisa, you should be a naming consultant! none of your kids have been classmates with someone else with their name…that needs to go on the resume.
Catherine what a lovely interview. I suffred a miscarriage before and I know exactly what it feels like to be afraid of being pregnant afterwards. You always have that fear that something may happen up until the time you give birth! I am so happy for you and you are glowing! I am also LoL’ing at you saying you would raise your daughter as a tomboy! LOL!
i hate the reason, but i feel such kinship in you understanding what i’m going through…that fear. thank you for your support britton. it’s going to be a great year for you and i!
Aww…loved this interview Catherine! Our kids have unique(not uncommon) names…Kerington, Joel and Blake. At least they were never in a class where someone had their name, lol! I most loved your answer about making a life with the love of your life…it is a beautiful thing! God is amazing how He creates this little person that has both you and your husband’s DNA…miraculous indeed! Praying for you and your baby’s continued health throughout your pregnancy. 🙂
michell, in addition to all that you do, you should be a naming consultant! i find that so impressive when kids can go through life and not have another classmate with their same name. that is sweet victory! often times i was catherine g. thank you so much for your prayers; they are keeping my little one strong! four more months to go!
I think of you often and I am so glad things are going well this time!! Love all the pictures!!