Pregnancy has its upsides. For starters, counting calories is out the window, and let’s be honest, you get to indulge a bit more because you’re technically eating for two. However, the reality of pregnancy can be quite different from what I anticipated. Here are eight realizations I had about pregnancy that completely flipped my expectations on their head:
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“I’ll be sensitive to some smells.”
I thought I would just have a mild sensitivity, but I quickly discovered I had a nose like a bloodhound! The scent of someone’s sweat wafting in from two blocks away was enough to make me gag. Certain smells like gasoline, hand sanitizer, or even cooking meat sent me straight to the bathroom for a dry heave. -
“I’ll get morning sickness.”
Whoever coined the term “morning sickness” clearly had no idea what they were talking about. It should really be called “all-day sickness” or “I-can’t-keep-anything-down sickness.” It felt like I was in a constant state of nausea, not just in the morning but pretty much all the time. -
“I’ll have mood swings.”
I thought I understood mood swings before I was pregnant, but I had no clue. Pregnancy mood swings are like regular PMS mood swings on steroids. One minute I was sobbing over a heartwarming dog adoption commercial, and the next I was yelling at my partner for no reason at all. All of this, mind you, in a span of just ten minutes! -
“I’ll be a little extra gassy.”
Let me tell you, I was shocked by the sounds and smells my body produced. There were short bursts that sounded like a machine gun, and some long ones that could rival a brass band. I never thought I’d find myself trying to escape the stench of my own gas, but pregnancy changed that! -
“I’ll use lotion to avoid stretch marks.”
I slathered myself with every lotion, oil, and cocoa butter I could find, but stretch marks still made an appearance. Honestly, it’s probably for the best—cocoa butter smells a lot better than the aroma of my pregnancy-induced gas. -
“I’ll enjoy choosing baby names.”
I did find pleasure in selecting baby names, but I was not prepared for the avalanche of unsolicited advice from friends and family. Suddenly, everyone had a story about someone they knew with the same name. If you want to avoid the onslaught of opinions, keep your baby name choices to yourself until the birth certificate is signed. -
“I’ll love my growing belly.”
Initially, I was thrilled with my cute baby bump at six months. It felt like the perfect drink coaster! But by month nine, my belly became more of a hindrance. Bending down was a challenge, and I couldn’t even remember the last time I saw my lower half—it had turned into a whole “love forest.” -
“I’ll catch some sleep while I can.”
Who spread this myth? Between the massive belly, relentless nausea, back pain, and constant trips to the bathroom, sleep was a luxury I simply couldn’t afford.
Ultimately, pregnancy was not at all what I expected. I never had that “glow” people talk about—unless you count the sheen of sweat I sported in the later months. But when my little one finally arrived and was placed in my arms, every single moment of discomfort was worth it. The experience changed my life for the better.
If you’re looking for more insights into pregnancy and home insemination, check out this blog post. For an authoritative source on artificial insemination, visit Make A Mom. Additionally, Science Daily provides excellent resources for understanding fertility and pregnancy.
Summary:
Pregnancy can be full of unexpected surprises that challenge preconceived notions. From intense smell sensitivities to unpredictable mood swings, the journey is anything but straightforward. However, the joy of welcoming a new life makes every struggle worthwhile.