Today has been a very busy day for me with work. I’ve been pounding away at the keyboard since the morning, and I’ll admit, it’s been a really tough day for me.
You see, I’m extra worried about Pregnant Jane.
She left earlier today to go with her friend who is in town to spend the day at a place on the water. There’s like 500 small shops around there, so I know that they’ll be shopping like crazy and come back with a car full of stuff.
But… I’m worried.
This isn’t the first time I’ve felt like this. I sometimes feel it when Jane goes to the grocery store or runs out to do other errands or meet up with friends. I’ve never felt anything like this before Jane got pregnant and I’m wondering if I’m just having a pregnancy sympathy attack of emotions, or if father-to-be’s have had this happen to them, too.
When Jane is away, I have this weird new worry. It’s tough to put into words what it feels like. I mean I literally just got off the phone with her just 10 seconds ago and the moment I hung up the phone this weird worry set it again.
Is it because she’s pregnant and I just want her to be really careful? Is it because in a way Jane is two people combined for the next several months as she is carrying my only son or daughter?
Someone recently told me that once our baby is born, no matter how old they get, you’ll never stop worrying about them. That’s hard to wrap my mind around sometimes, but now I’m starting to wonder… is the worry kicking into gear already?
Is this what it feels like?
It’s not like the worry you’d get if your spouse was driving home late a night and was supposed to be home by 10 PM and it’s now 1 AM and you’ve called his or her cell phone 1,000 but there’s no answer.
It’s nothing like that. It’s just a subtle little worry that sits in the background of my head and stomach as I go about my day.
What is this and is this normal?
I know Jane will be OK, but now I’m wondering if I’ll be OK? 
You might also want to read:
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- Pregnancy Week Sweet 16? Jane celebrates by throwing up several times. I celebrate by cleaning up.
- Pregnant Brain has kicked into high gear for Pregnant Jane.
- 12 Weeks Pregnant Jane Picture
- The BIG question pregnant parents ask each other 1,273 times… at least
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh T., maybe later. I need to get ready right now and sex just won’t fit into the plan. Plus, I have a headache… Well, not really, but the timing just isn’t good right now. I know that you understand. I mean, what’s a few more hours when it’s been a couple of days already? Ha, ha.
Julie, thanks for sharing. It still amazes me that this happens – and hits so early. I would expect this to hit later on maybe, at least when Jane’s belly is bigger… but the fact that it’s started already shows my little ‘daddy’ genes have been activated!
Jane, awweee thanks babe. Hey, it’s been awhile… you’re in the second trimester you know. They say that’s when everything kicks into high gear! What do you say you come up to my office for a few minutes… he he
Tarzan,
I think that it is way cute that you worry about me when I’m out. You are a wonderful husband and I just know that you will be a fantastic dad! I think the worrying just comes along with all of it. When you went to play poker last week, I was worried about you… and you don’t even have a baby growing in your stomach!
I love that you worry about me and I will be as safe as I possibly can. You’re sweet!! I love you. (No more cheesy-ness)
Tarzan,
My husband has told me that he has had a background anxiety throughout all 3 of our pregnancies and that the only cure for it was seeing his baby safe and sound after the delivery.
I think your pretty normal. Your being a protective Dad and a protective husband. Very important feelings.
Julie
Hey Jason,
Cool, I’m glad to hear that this is normal. It’s funny I’ve never heard anyone talk about this. Makes sense though. Guys normally don’t talk about our ‘feelings’. We’re rough and tough and nothing bothers us, right!? ha ha.
Man… I’m glad all is good with your wife. I can’t imagine the thoughts/emotions I’d feel if I got a call like that. I’m sure “total freak out” doesn’t even come close to what that must have been like. Again – glad all is OK.
I agree with “it will make you a better person in the log run”.
I really think that there’s this switch in every human that as soon as you take the first few steps towards parenthood it activates and starts to change you.
For me… there are several that I’ve noticed, but the two that drive me the most crazy is this new worry thing and of course, my new strange addiction to ice cream recently.
Oddly enough, even with an ice cream addition, I’ve still lost a few pounds over the last couple of months. That, I believe is due to stress and of course, eating cereal for dinner most nights!
I can relate to you 100%. My wife is 36 weeks pregnant and I have experienced the “weird” worry feeling for the past 20 weeks or so. I think it really kicked in after our 1st ultrasound. Today was especially rough because I received a call saying that the doctor wanted her to go to the hospital right away. A million different emotions raced through me. It turned out everything was fine, but it was a pretty big scare. Bad news for you is that the feeling probably won’t go away. The good news, it will make you a better person in the long run. That worried feeling could be the difference maker in the future.
Jason G.’s last blog post..Tonka Truck