My first pregnancy 15 years ago at age 20 we a very steep learning curve, with no real idea of what happens, although through time it became obvious that actually frequent peeing, stretch marks and leaking boobs were par of the course!
Being 6 months pregnant with my third baby I think it would be fair to say I have a better understanding on what a pregnancy brings … However not all things pregnancy related are as easy to deal with so recently I put some questions to my friends about what they thought were the worst things about pregnancy and I am going to share the general consensus of what are the top 5 things you were never told about pregnancy!
1. Your Face Is Not Glowing Its Got A Tan!
I discovered in my second pregnancy I was a sufferer of the ‘pregnancy mask’ (Melasma) Having been a sufferer of this skin condition for many years it always worsens with pregnancy and in fact is not solely brought on by pregnancy hormones as it affects both sexes, however for a sufferer like me who had a tiny patch previously … feeding it hormones means I tend to look like have a bruises on my face from a distance and I get very paranoid.
Most cases of this skin condition during pregnancy do tend to calm down and mine does too, however it doesn’t ever disappear I have just got better at hiding it with makeup!
2. Nightmares and Dreams
I am going to be honest and say this is the stage I am at right now in this pregnancy. For some reason while pregnant as soon as I get into the 5-6 month I am a total gibbering mess when it comes to night time, not because of the four hundred times I have to pee or the uncomfortable pelvis but purely for the pregnancy nightmares.
The old wives tale used to be that eating cheese at night gave nightmares well, even craving cheese sandwiches this time it was the same for the previous two pregnancies. I have nightmares almost every night …
I often wake in tears and for some reason they often feature my family.
The only thing that keeps me sane is the fact I know this stage will pass for me … it really is like my subconscious is processing the new responsibility that is imminent and is dealing with it.
3. You Are More Than Likely Going To Pee Your Pants
Yep that’s right with pregnancy comes leaking not only from your nipples but also from down below, it really can be that glamorous!
There really is no time like the present to work on those pelvic floor muscles and even then there is no guarantee that peeing your pants is not going to happen to you!
If you are suffering whether in pregnancy or not please don’t suffer in silence so many things can help and not just in buying product to help you manage it ….
I suffered in my last pregnancy at the later stages and crossed my legs when sneezing and laughing, thankfully so far in this pregnancy I haven’t had a problem but I’m not embarrassed to say I will be more prepared for it this time!
4. You Are No Longer Going To Sit Comfortably!
With some ladies having episiotomies to look forward to at the birth, don’t worry there is more to come before delivery day on the pain front with possible vaginal engorgement (yes its true for some this can be the case, thankfully not me, should I say up to this point *crosses fingers it remains that way)
What I can admit to in pregnancy is sheer agony that piles (haemorrhoids) bring to the party!
Germoloids recently did some research and it seems thankfully I am not alone as two-thirds of women get piles during their first pregnancy, although with pregnancy number 3 I kinda guessed that they might be on the cards for me again, however I yet to be introduced to them this time round but I know they are lurking now my digestive metabolism is slowing down!
I am taking positive steps this time to try to stay pile free with keeping moving, keeping hydrated and plenty of fibre but I know this is not always going to stop them.
Thankfully help is at hand you can buy over the counter products in supermarkets and pharmacies to help should you be one of the unlucky ones that develops this super painful problem before, during or after delivery in the form of Germoloids creams and ointments … don’t be embarrassed you have grown a human a few piles shouldn’t stop you wonder women!
5. You’ll Have A Cold For The Duration Of The Pregnancy
With those wonderful hormones all over the shop and amount of extra blood flow in your body there really is not a single part of you body that could suffer with problems and for me pretty much from the moment I become pregnant I suffer with really stuffy snotty nose and cold like symptoms that seem to hand around forever! … although what does make it more unbearable for hubs is the fact I snore like a trooper too while pregnant.
However what really drives me bonkers is the constant nose blowing and the mucus…. I guess this pregnancy lark really is all about excretions from every orifice! …. Oh the joy!
For those of you that have had babies … I am sure that non of this will come as any surprise to you …. For those of you that were wanting babies … sorry … But I always find it best to be honest!
Disclaimer:This is a collaborative post
well your post would work as great contraception for anybody not yet tried it…….only joking, Love the honesty, well written.
At least this time round we are only having the one so daughter not quite so big or uncomfortable. Love the paper knickers !!
lol Elaine i had a complete oh my goodness moment a few weeks back – i am so hoping that I am not going to suffer this time with most of these .. maybe if i had remembered all these before getting pregnant this time it might have been different … although when your broody your broody! lol
Phew how she manages with 2 at once baffles me one at a time tires me out! lol congratulations again lovely, when is she due?
I never knew about the dreaming thing..
In the last stages of my second pregnancy I had the waterworks problem and on both I had Rhinitis.
The only thing I loved was that I had lovely shiny hair!!
oh Su my hair is just going through that stage now .. i love having super thick hair but hate afterwards when you’re hovering it up!
I didn’t know about some of those to be honest. I thought the bladder problems were mostly afterwards.
This made me chuckle. I loved being pregnant (mostly) but the side effects are not pretty sometimes – my moods were terrible too
Ah the joys of pregnancy! First time around I didn’t suffer too much but the second time was really quite bad haha…it sort of makes you wonder why we put ourselves through it (other than the gorgeous baby at the end of the it all of course!)
Haha yes the things we put ourselves through hey?! Hope you are managing to enjoy your pregnancy a little though x
Awww, pregnancy can be so difficult can’t it? I hope you feel better soon, the nightmares sound awful. x
Oh dear, pregnancy really isn’t a glamorous business for many of us. Sadly it never suited me either. Like they say, it will all be worth it in the end. Mich x
I had the most vivid dreams – and some nightmares when pregnant – I’d forgotten until I read this! And numb legs too! Kaz x
I’d forgotten about the stuffy nose thing! Not the piles though…can’t shake the memory of those, sadly….
lol i have every empathy if you suffered with those bad boys! 🙁
Oh there’s so much they don’t tell you isn’t there?! And actually I think it’s good they don’t beforehand as it would make it even more scary! Great tips.