10 Misconceptions About Pregnancy Before You Conceive

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From childhood, my mom painted a rosy picture of pregnancy, telling me how much she cherished the experience. She conveniently glossed over the nausea, the constipation, and the unexpected body hair growth. To her, carrying a child was a dream come true, but I can’t help but wonder if she conveniently forgot the less glamorous parts or simply exaggerated to encourage me to have kids myself.

Here are some things I foolishly believed about pregnancy before I embarked on that journey:

1. I assumed my life would change only after the baby arrived. Little did I know, the moment that little blastula nestled in my uterus, my life transformed dramatically. I was hit with a wave of hormones that made me a nervous wreck. One night, I found myself crying over the salicylic acid in my foundation, convinced I was harming my unborn child. Talk about overreacting!
2. I thought I could still drive without issues. Unfortunately, the angle of my car seat made me feel faint. My doctor didn’t believe me, so during those dizzy spells, I’d have to pull over and call my partner, just in case I passed out.
3. I imagined my partner would share my excitement. While some dads are deeply engaged in the pregnancy process, my husband seemed rather uncomfortable with it all. I often ignored his cringe whenever I asked him to feel our baby kick.
4. I thought my heart would remain steady. Instead, the pregnancy hormones sent my heart racing and skipping beats, leading to several panic-driven ER visits during the first trimester. After wearing a heart monitor for a month, I was relieved to discover I was healthy—just a little extra hormonal.
5. I anticipated loving the spotlight. Initially, the attention was great, but as my belly expanded, unsolicited opinions poured in. Suddenly, I found myself overwhelmed by comments about my size, work choices, and baby names. The initial excitement quickly faded.
6. I believed hemorrhoids were just an issue for the elderly. Not true! They can hit anyone, and pregnancy certainly doesn’t discriminate.
7. I thought I knew what fear felt like. However, nothing prepared me for the gut-wrenching anxiety my partner and I faced while waiting for the results of my amniocentesis. It was a whole new level of stress.
8. I thought I’d be able to indulge in all my cravings. Instead, I found myself wandering grocery aisles, starving and crying, unable to find anything that didn’t make my stomach churn.
9. I assumed I could maintain my exercise routine. Every book I read suggested it was possible, but I was too busy dealing with dizziness and heart palpitations to care about working out.
10. I thought constipation was no biggie. Let me tell you; it is serious business. Regular bowel movements are crucial for overall well-being.

These realizations were just a glimpse of my pre-pregnancy misconceptions. Despite the challenges, the end result was absolutely worth it. I’d gladly go through it all again to have my wild little ones in my life. Maybe!

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Summary

Pregnancy is often romanticized, but the reality can be quite different. Hormonal changes, unexpected physical challenges, and emotional turmoil can catch many first-time parents off guard. The experience, while often daunting, is ultimately rewarding.