Yesterday, I came across an article talking about how Kelly Osbourne has major baby fever ever since her niece, Pearl, arrived into the world. Supposedly being around the newborn has her biological clock ticking, and she's telling people what a great "mum" she is going to be. And while I don't doubt for one second that she will do an incredible job as a mom when the time comes, I sincerely hope that she plans on holding off — because baby fever is a really horrible reason to get pregnant, no matter how bad you've got it.
Baby fever is highly contagious and pretty tough to fight and all that, but the funny thing about it is that in most cases, it eventually fades away.
A couple of years ago, I caught a case of baby fever myself and suddenly decided I was ready to have another child, even though I've been on the "one and done" plan from the very start. My husband and I started trying, and I got all excited about the thought of having another little baby in the house and even went so far as to download a baby naming app on my iPhone. (So lame.)
Two months or so went by with no positive pregnancy test, and then all of a sudden, I realized my life was perfect just the way it was, and I had no desire to throw a newborn into the mix. Back on the pill I went, and I've never looked back since.
And there are plenty of other really bad reasons to get pregnant other than baby fever too:
1. To Keep a Man — I'm always blown away by women who go and get themselves pregnant in the hopes that they will either nail down a husband or keep a man from running. If they want to go — they'll go. A baby isn't going to change their minds.
2. For Attention — Yeah, yeah, it's easy to get a little bit jealous around your pregnant family members and friends because of all the extra attention they get. But that's no reason to get knocked up yourself. Remember, being doted on goes straight out the window the minute the baby arrives.
3. Because You Think You Have To — As the mom of an only child, I have people insisting that I need to have another baby and give my son a sibling ALL the time. But I'm not about to go out and get pregnant simply to make other people happy. No, thanks.
4. Getting Older — I've known a handful of women in my life who decide to have a baby just because they think they're running out of time. News flash: The kid tends to hang around for a good 18 years or so. If you think you're pressed for time now, you have no idea.
5. For a Boy or Girl — Getting pregnant in the hopes that you will finally have that baby boy or girl you always dreamed of is the dumbest idea there is. Odds are good that you'll wind up conceiving a child of the opposite sex than you want anyway, so it's really just not worth it.
6. Because Your Kids Are Growing Up — Yet another huge news flash: kids grow up and get older, because that's just part of the deal. If you get pregnant simply because you miss having little kids around, remember that they'll eventually grow up too, and then you'll be back at square one.
7. To Miss Work — I was dumbfounded to find out that women in Britain are getting pregnant simply for the benefit of having a long maternity leave, and I wouldn't be surprised if some women in the U.S. get pregnant simply to take a break from work or become a stay-at-home mom. Just because you don't go into "work" every day doesn't mean you don't work. I'm just sayin'.
