My own mother swears she had delightful and easy pregnancies. The only complaint she ever voiced was about one time she felt so exhausted making the bed that she simply drifted off for a nap. That was the extent of her struggles—an unexpected snooze.
Naturally, I entered my own pregnancy with visions of rainbows and unicorns dancing in my head. When I saw those two lines on the test, I felt… pretty great. The first few weeks were filled with blissful optimism. And then, at week five, I woke up to discover my breakfast tasted odd. Lunch? Almost made me lose my lunch. And by dinner, I was ready to bid farewell to food entirely. That became my food saga for the next nine months. I also had the joy of wearing a heart monitor and frequently felt faint if I sat in my car for too long.
So, if your mom had a fairy tale experience like mine, here’s a more realistic look at what to expect during pregnancy:
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The ‘Glow’
Expectations: I would be radiant, glowing like an angel or perhaps a disco ball, exuding health and vitality.
Reality: My skin turned into a battleground—acne, rashes, and strange brown lines. Friends often told me how tired I looked, making them wonder if I had caught some contagious illness. -
Feeling the Baby Move
Expectations: A delicate sensation, like butterfly wings, transforming into delightful limbs stretching and those sweet first hiccups.
Reality: It was interesting but often uncomfortable. It felt more like a wrestling match where my bladder was the ultimate loser. -
Indulging Pregnancy Cravings
Expectations: Humorous tales of sending my partner out at midnight for odd food combinations.
Reality: Picture me alone, late at night, using a tortilla chip as a spoon for my mountain of sour cream while my husband snoozed away. -
All of the Attention
Expectations: “Aww! You’re pregnant? How wonderful!”
Reality: “You’re how far along? Time to cut back on the sour cream, huh?” -
Cute Maternity Clothes
Expectations: Adorable outfits to flaunt my cute little bump.
Reality: My priorities shifted to finding clothes that were 1) big enough, 2) comfy, and 3) capable of covering my backside. -
Maternity Photos
Expectations: Frolicking in a picturesque field, looking radiant.
Reality: Nah, didn’t happen. I couldn’t care less about it. -
Getting Fat and Enjoying It
Expectations: A guilt-free eating spree! Who cares about weight gain?
Reality: A lot of tears were shed—especially when I caught a glimpse of my whale-like reflection in the shower mirror or struggled to fit into oversized maternity wear. -
Setting Up the Baby’s Room
Expectations: Cute decorations, a lovely mobile, all the tiny essentials.
Reality: Too exhausted to do anything, and honestly, my baby probably wouldn’t sleep in there until they were in high school anyway. -
Announcing Your Baby’s Name
Expectations: Everyone would adore our chosen name.
Reality: “That’s what you’ve settled on? Well, at least she’s adorable.” -
Those First Few Sweet Days
Expectations: Blissful, snuggly moments filled with oxytocin that would be etched in my memory.
Reality: I vaguely remember some of those days, but mostly it was a blur of odd smells and the constant worry about sleep and keeping the baby alive.
Sure, there were things I cherished about being pregnant. I’m almost certain of it, but it was definitely not the dream I had envisioned. Maybe one day, when I’m a grandma, I’ll look back and only recall that one time I dozed off while making the bed.
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Summary:
Pregnancy is often romanticized, but the reality can be quite different. Women may experience unexpected challenges, from skin issues to cravings that aren’t as glamorous as envisioned. The excitement of feeling the baby move can quickly turn into discomfort, and the adorable maternity outfits might be overshadowed by a desire for comfort. Ultimately, while the journey is filled with ups and downs, it is uniquely transformative.