I’m finally coming back to the horrifically offensive piece published by Women’s Health regarding “bumpaholics” that I posted about a few weeks ago.
Along with the crimson vision-inspiring claims were a couple laughable ones. The author claims that part of the reason why women become bumpaholics is because they relish the attention they get while pregnant.
Come on. Seriously? Anyone who needs that kind of attention badly enough to procreate in order to get it needs some therapy. Not to mention that I and every mom of 3 or more kids that I know would prefer to not get any attention at all. I hated being noticed when I was feeling like a beached whale. I just wanted to hide, not have every smiling stranger come over and pat my belly or people move way out of my way in their effort to give me room.
Also, the amount of negative attention you attract when you’re already carting around 2 or 3 kids and visibly expecting another is much more than I ever dreamed. When I was pregnant with Logan, my fourth and last, I can’t tell you how many rude, insensitive comments I got. Things like, “You do know by now what causes that, don’t you?” Even my own mother said that I looked like a walking advertisement for why people should use birth control (though, admittedly, I laughed when she said it).
Another line from the article that I thought was absolutely ridiculous was this one, also playing into the attention argument: “Spouses and partners dote on you, gladly delivering soup at 10 a. m. or antacids at 11 p. m.” Oh, please! I’m sure there are partners who do that sort of thing, but I would bet that the majority don’t. Even so,it still would not make up for how uncomfortable and painful pregnancy and childbirth are. Certainly no woman in her right mind would become pregnant just for that.
To turn having a large family into another mainstream addiction is appalling, unfair and ridiculous. It seemed to me that the author twisted all her source’s words to fit her own motive. Even the experts she quoted were clearly talking about the few women who do have a problem with procreating to fill some need/void, not any woman with more than 2 kids.
Bumpaholics, indeed. We’re not all Octo-Mom, for pete’s sake.
What do you think of this recently coined term for moms of larger families, “bumpaholics?” Is this theory ridiculous in your opinion? Entirely plausible? Just another ploy by the media to gain readers? Share your thoughts!
My husband was no lout, but I think I heard more, “Would you stop moving so much?” when I was trying to find a comfortable position to sleep, and also going to the bathroom YET AGAIN in the middle of the night, than I heard, “Can I get you some soup or antacids?”
That article makes me want to barf. Good grief!
To be quite honest, I loved my pregnant body, most especially the “bump”. I also enjoyed the attention I got from baby #1, but I was practically ignored while pregnant with baby #2. In fact, they almost forgot to throw me a baby shower. I wasn’t really expecting one, since my first wasn’t even 2 yet, but then again, his sister would’ve looked funny if she’d had nothing but blue to wear.
But as far as getting pregnant just for attention? Puh-leeze.
Having recently just experienced pregnancy and childbirth for the first time, I can say with certainty that while the attention is fun, it is in no way “worth it” for all the discomfort! 99.999% of women out there will tell you that the attention you get is absolutely no reason to get pregnant. Pregnancy is much more of a sacrifice than a time to be spoiled.