Let me first start off with a little re-introduction. Up until the last few months, I was a long time contributer for GEN. If you look back to when the site first started I was writing articles quite a bit. Then something happened that made me put my writing for GEN aside for a while. I found out I was pregnant!
So, that may explain my lack of involvement over here at GEN. Mostly because it takes a lot out of you to not only prepare physically for the baby, but it’s mentally extraneous as well. There’s a lot of things to think about when you’re expecting. Frankly, writing about video games wasn’t too high up on my list of priorities.
However, over the last 7 months, I’ve had a lot of time to re-group and be prepared for what’s to come. I’ve come to terms with the fact that my gaming habits are now going to come second in my life. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m still a gamer, and always will be. I’ll just have to play those M rated games after bedtime… and monitor my trash talking. Muting the mic is no longer my trash-talk cure. I will now have to administer a little more self control. (CRAP!)
It’s crazy how much being pregnant can alter your gaming habits. I know I’m not the first gamer to get pregnant, but gaming is also my social life. I have more people I consider close friends on my Xbox Live friends list then the people coming to my baby shower.
Because of this, I wanted to share with you ladies (and gents, of course) some of the turmoils of the prego-gamer. I’ve had quite a few ups and downs with gaming in the last 7 months. I was going to split this into 3 parts… One for each trimester… but after doing a little consideration for content, I decided to bundle the first two trimesters together.
The first trimester of my pregnancy was HORRIBLE. I say this because not only was I tired, hormonal, and having “morning” sickness (which was actually morning, afternoon, and evening sickness), but I had too much on my plate. I was trying to write for GEN, be the recruitment manager for the Halo 3 division of my clan, attending practices for said Halo 3 division, and working 40+ hours a week. All this while trying to cope with the fact that I’m going to be referred to as “Mommy” in just a few months.
The stress alone was making each clan practice, every match-made game, and every gaming magazine give me headaches. Then the motion sickness came, and this was the worst part! I love my games, and even if I’m not playing competitively, I still play them a lot. When it got to the point to where all my FPS games were making me sick, I had to give them a rest. Games like Guitar Hero and any third person perspective would also make me queasy. For almost the entire first trimester, I couldn’t play anything but Uno and Sneak King. I had to step down as staff in my clan, and move from the Halo 3 division to a casual division until I could play again. In retrospect, I was entirly too tired to really consider playing every day anyway. The time away from my favorite games was hard though.
In my time away from actually playing games, I spent the energy usually poured into MY games to help other gamers around me. I actually wrote a whole essay on the history of First Person Shooters, just for fun. I helped my boyfriend with his World of Warcraft guild and gave my brother idea’s for his Gears of War montages.
In the second trimester, life was much better. The motion and “morning” sickness had gone away and I was finally able to start picking up those games again. I had a TON of energy and those pregnancy hormones that were making me a monster had seemed to disappear. I was pretty much always in a good mood. That is until I started playing games again…
I’m the type of person who needs to play consistently to keep my skill up there. I am not one of those people, like my boyfriend, who was born with the ability to slay face on any game regardless of how much I had played it. It takes me a while to warm up before I start popping off head shots. That being said, I was getting extremely frustrated when I wasn’t performing at my level. I would play Call of Duty 4 and end the game almost as far away from the top as you could get.
I didn’t keep in mind that I haven’t played any of these games in months. I didn’t even know which ones of the maps were the new ones. All I knew was that I wasn’t winning, and thats a hard blow to take after longing to play them for as long as I did. I guess pregnant women aren’t the most rational people in the world. HA!
Slowly but surly I was able to get my skill back up there. My kill/death ratio is positive again, and I’ve even been attending more practices with my clan. The coolest thing about being active in my gaming communities again is all the awesome women I have to share my prego-fun with! When I’m playing with my girlfriends and mention that I feel the baby kick, the entire pregame lobby will burst into “Awww’s” and the baby-talk starts. I’ve also got a few of my clan mates who are currently pregnant to share my fears and joys with. Something I really wish I was doing in the first trimester.
Now, here I am at the very beginning of the third trimester. I’ve heard this is the worst one, so I’ll try to keep you guys updated on the whole thing. For now, I’m feeling good and playing a TON! In case you were wondering, its a GIRL! Although I’m not the only mom in the GEN staff here, she will be the first GEN baby! Aktrez even added maternity shirts at our cafe-press site that I will be taking full advantage of (and any other expecting gamer should as well! Prego-gamer shirts are difficult to come by!)
Also, if you or your wife, girlfriend, sister, or mom gamer is also expecting, feel free to send me a message! Us preggers need to stick together in times like these, and I’d love to play with more! Yay for prego-gamers and yay for baby shoes! <3
August 20th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
SO proud of you Ang3l! You know you have our full support and love. Wear that Preggo-shirt with pride!!! :p
August 20th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Congrats on the baby!
I know I want kids but it’s looking like I’m not going to get to have any (I just recently found out you need a woman for that! Who knew?)
But if there’s any reason to rearrange (or- gasp- reduce) your gaming habits- I think you found the best one.
Try to enjoy it the best you can and just think- with enough work you could be giving birth to the Tiger Woods (er, Tigerette?) of competitive gaming!
Get a controller in her hands as soon as possible! =P
Congrats again!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Aww thanks guys! Its been a long road, at least it seems that way! I’m glad I have the time and energy to write again! Its refreshing to say the least!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Hi, congrats on almost being there. i know how hard it is. My wife and I have two children, our daughter Liliana, and our son Alexander. And we are expecting our third in Feb 09. So I have a pretty good idea fo what you are going through. Even as a dad my gaming habits have had to change. Instead of beating FFVII in a few days, it took me almost three and a half months, and that is just the tip of it. My daughter repeats all that she hears, so playing online is only done when she is asleep. I can’t play eroge visual novels all day, and well, it is just a long list.
Again, congrats on the baby. I have followed what you write on myspace close when you write about how you are feeling, and I am happy that you are almost there. As hard as this is, treasure it. It is a good feeling when you look back on it.
And if you ever need advice or someone to talk to about this all, I am always here.
Ricky
August 20th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I want to start buying you cute geeky clothing for your baby soon! You rock and we are so proud of you!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Can’t help but congratulate you for your little child
August 20th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I’m calling this gift now!
http://www.clevercuties.com/shopexd.asp?id=346
August 20th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I’m proud of yah hun^_^ and this is exciting and I can’t wait to see the pics of the first GEN baby
August 20th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
#1. Oooooo *coo*… your ladybug is precious! Oooooo, I wanna tickle da feet!
#2. I’ve been lagging on purchasing my GEN shirt!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Awwww Angel that is fantastic!!!! I very much enjoyed reading this!
Even though, this may seem kinda silly to some, but I have to admit….I’m actually terrified to have children :X
I don’t know why, I mean I just recently got married and I’m not going to be considering children anytime soon, I’m only 21 lol. But I just don’t know how well I’ll be able to follow my dream and still care for a family.
I’m sorry thats horribley silly of me to say, and this is all about our wonderful Angel Mama!! And your daughter is so beautiful!! Congrats again sweety!! <3 <3
August 20th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
OMG I should have said something, that cute little gamer at the top isnt mine… Im not due til october! But thanks lilith!! Im terrified of having kids too, dont worry! LOL!
August 21st, 2008 at 5:57 am
Grats on Jr! Yea, a lot of people don’t appreciate how some folks skill weakens while others can just pick up and play and be on top regardless - I’ve never understood why it’s like that, but I do think the amount going on affects it.
This is the first kind of article I’ve ever heard of related to this subject - very interesting
And lol @ Sneak King
August 21st, 2008 at 10:30 am
Congrats, sweetie, and GREAT article!
@ Traycee: Hahaha, me too … don’t feel so bad. ;D
August 21st, 2008 at 10:52 am
I agree…LOL at Sneek King. But if it was good enough for you, I might need to give it a chance. That King scares me though….
ANYWAY…back to you! Congrats, we are all so excited for you! I can’t belive so much time has passed already! I remember being with Becky when you told her….Ekkk! I am excited for you! Thanks for sharing…I will be honest, I have always wondered how having kids would change my gaming habbits!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I bought sneak king for 1.99 to get the achievments when a few friends of mine were racing to see how many achievments we could get in 2 weeks. It was… still kindof scary… LOL
August 21st, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Congratulations! Don’t be scared to be a mom. I think The Guild webseries can teach you all you need to know about being a mom AND a gamer.
Someone needs to make the Prego-gamers Club
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:29 am
FPS games make me sick just watching them! In CoH, I have to be zoomed out to full perspective of my toon hero.
So I was wondering if your little one will have a significant baby name like Lara?
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 am
The King being scary is what makes Sneak King a classic though
August 24th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
i got a nintendo ds when i was pregnant. best investment ever! handhelds are your best friend when you have to stay with the kid.
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Since I cannot seem to leave a comment on the new blog, I will leave it here. Your little girl looks so adorable. She is so cute. Congrats and may you enjoy every single moment of being a mommy to that special gift of life you have.