To us outsiders, being pregnant seems like such a beautiful experience. Months of researching baby names, learning about the human body during doctor's appointments, and bringing a new life into this world. Honestly, it sounds so magical.
But the everyday life of pregnancy is so much more than that. And way less glamorous than the movies want us to believe. Stylish maternity clothes are really expensive and hard to find, and that "glow" that everyone keeps mentioning is more sweat than sprinkles.
To paint you a more accurate picture of what it's really like to grow a human being in your belly, Fashion Life has compiled a list of honest posts that mothers and their loved ones made about them expecting.
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Unsolicited Advice
It's ok to assume one is pregnant if it encourages to be polite (to give a seat, open doors, etc) but if it's used to control and humiliate like in this example... Makes me MAD.
Oops
To help you make sense of what pregnant women go through, Fashion Life contacted Vicki Broadbent, a writer, director, broadcaster, and founder of the parenting blog Honest Mum. "There is a myriad of changes which take place when you're pregnant: hormonal so chemical/emotional changes and of course physical as your body expands to house your precious cargo," the bestselling author of Mumboss (UK) and The Working Mom (the US and Canada) said.
Vicki herself has two boys and a baby girl on the way. "I believe pregnancy has provided me with somewhat of a maternal superpower too. My instincts are sharpened so my boundaries are stronger; I have less tolerance for any BS or drama as I'm protective of my mental and physical health and that of my baby's and my focus is firmly on that which brings me joy," she explained. "I recently read that women are born with all of the eggs they'll ever have in a lifetime and that when my mother was in my grandmother's womb I was there, nestled within her as a tiny egg. How incredible is that? I like to think there's a generational strength that has been passed down to me from this strong line of women, empowering me on a cellular level."
That's true, female babies are born with all the egg cells they're ever going to have; around 1-2 million of them! No new egg cells are made during their lifetime. When a girl reaches puberty, she has between 300,000 and 400,000 eggs left.
A Gift My Husband Made For Me To Use When Strangers/Family Get Too Grabby Towards My Belly Without Asking First
Pregnancy starts taking its toll right from the get-go. "First-trimester nausea and fatigue certainly aren't fun. Nor is indigestion and insomnia of the second trimester but as this is my fourth pregnancy and third baby (I sadly lost a baby last year), I am relishing the magic of pregnancy as much as possible," Vicki Broadbent said.
That being said, Vicki still faces challenges. "I can't lie and say I'm fully at peace with my changing body as society/the media and my own pressure to not look 'too big' does affect me but I'm certainly trying to be kind to myself with loving affirmations and making healthy food choices and safely exercising. I'm doing daily meditation too so I can be more responsive and less reactive — hormones can be wild at times — so that helps!"
Tommy's, the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and neonatal death, also recognizes that it's natural to get a bit stressed when you're pregnant and acknowledges that coping with your symptoms and changing lifestyle, as well as everyday life, can sometimes be overwhelming. To relax, Tommy's offers these tips.
I Texted My 36 Week Pregnant Wife To Ask How She Was Feeling, This Was The Photo I Got In Response
My Pregnant Wife Had To Dress Up As A Superhero For Work Today
Another way in which Endgame delivered! (The more serious being showing a superhero battling depression, generally being a mess, and crying, while still being a superhero.)
Personally, Vicki prefers meditation and allowing herself to feel all the emotions that arise. This includes crying when she needs to.
"Talking candidly about how I'm feeling is key," she said. "I kept a lot of trauma buried within me after a tough first birth and I learned from that period that not expressing my pain was detrimental to my mental health so now I talk (and talk) to those I love."
The mom listens to her body too. "When I need to sleep, I sleep and any guilt I might have harbored to try and be superwoman in previous pregnancies has definitely gone this time around."
Vicki discusses her experiences in her blog Honest Mum as well as on Facebook and Instagram. She will be releasing a new post today so be sure to check it out. Nobody is quite as articulate and sincere as she is.
My Pregnant Wife Is Practicing Her Swaddling. Skittles Isn't A Fan
My 39-Week Pregnant Wife Went To The Store To “Get Stuff For Dinner”. This Is What She Came Home With
My Pregnant Wife Wanted Pancakes In The Middle Of The Night. I Delivered
My Wife Is Pregnant And She Thought It Would Be Funny To Take A Picture Of Our Dog's Feet Looking Like They Are Her's
My Pregnant Wife Has Been Practicing Her Swaddling Technique On The Dog
My Wife Is 39 Weeks Pregnant And Really Wants To See Deadpool 2
My Husband Found Me Hiding In The Bathroom, Pants Down, Shoveling Cookie Dough Ice Cream In My Mouth And Hiding From Our Kids. This Is Pregnancy (29weeks)
Pregnancy Struggles
Same! Now my husband helps me (and sometimes for the socks, the shoes...)
Pregnancy Hormones
my partner only remembers the worst of her pregnancy - she threw insults for buying her a chilli mcfeast (her go to pregnancy meal).
I'd make an asexual joke but asexuals aren't really pregnant often
The praying mantis female accomplishes this every time she gets pregnant lol
During the final stretch, sex can trigger labor. As can walking and raspberries (don't ask).
wow such a great content . its good to see such a qulaity stuff here. thanks for sharing .
Pregnancy Brain Is So Real. My Daughters Daycare Lady Sent Me This. I’m So Embarrassed
Looking All Over The House For A Good While... And Freaking Out Since Already Running Late, Finally Found My Damn Keys
Common side effect of parenting while pregnant.
It’s not just a pregnancy thing I’ve done done this a few times found my phone in the freezer once.
Too Hot To Wear Pants And Dresses Are Mostly All That Fits Me So I Had To Figure Out A Way To Shave My Legs While Not Being Able To Bend Over
8 Months Pregnant And Came Out Of The Bank To Find This... (I’m The Blue Car)
I Heard “You’re So Big!” And “You’re So Small!” Literally Within The Same Day In Pregnancy And I Was Like Wut
What is it about our baby bumps that makes people think they can give us their UNSOLICITED comments and suggestions?
Here's a tip: Just wish us and our baby good health and safe delivery.
What's the worst unsolicited comment you've heard about your pregnancy?
Very often they're only kind people being a bit clumsy. First one: 'oh, you're 7 months pregnant, but your belly is very discreet'. A week later, (admiring tone) ' wow you're due in October, but your belly is already quite big' (really depends on the clothes I wear). I know my baby is OK, I didn't overweight, I'm in good health and shape, so I really don't mind comments like this as they're first meant to be nice.
Cracking Up At The Hilarious (& Oh So Relatable) Difference Of My Undies From March vs. Today At 37 Weeks
Those blue undies may have inadvertently contributed to you needing the olive ones....good for you!
The Next Person That Asks Me How My Pregnancy Is Going Will Just Be Shown This Picture
Edema in only one leg should be a signal to go to the doctor's quite soon
Technically This Conversation With My Husband Happened Yesterday, But I Swear It Feels Like I Have A Similar One With Him Everyday
How Many Breakfasts Have You Had Today? This Is My Third
My Husband And I Took Our 5 Year Old To The Amusement Park For The First Time Today. I'm 9 Months Pregnant, This Was My Favorite Ride
Whyyyyyyy? Going to the amusement park for the first time at the age of 6 will be just as fun.
"Let's Watch Football And Eat Nachos Together All Day!" Not
Pickle Juice Popsicles
No, I Am Not Enjoying Contractions. Also, I Had A Baby This Morning
Im Not Saying That She Has Pregnancy Brain... I Mean It’s Also Possible That She Made Chocolate Waffles. Either Way It Smells Like A Delicious Campfire In Our Kitchen
Pregnant Wife Ordered Cheese Fries, This Isn’t Going To End Well
My Friend's Wife Is Pregnant. She Got Cravings For Sweet And Spicy
Preggo Brain At Its Finest. Opened My Front Door This Morning To Find These In It
Let's Say I "Hypothetically" Forgot To Take A Pyrex Lid Out Of The Oven Before I Preheat It And It "Hypothetically" Melted
What would be the best way to get the plastic off the hypothetical oven rack? Or would one need to just throw the whole damn oven out? Asking for a friend.
Third Trimester Probz
Note: this post originally had 107 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Yeah…. Just absolutely not for me. Which I think is fine in this overpopulated world.
Amen
Oh Lord, ps i need you to save me as i am about to faint of laughter
Yeah I'm with you on this one I'm sorry but pregnant bellies are disgusting to me. I can't deal with that and all the skin and stretch marks after. I'll get another kitten.
Julie, and yet, your mom went through this to have you. Are disgusted about that, too? I kinda am.
So revolting, especially when they post pics of their giant guts!
Interesting…you caused your mother to have a giant gut. Had your parents only known you would be the result…😳
Yeah these pregnancy posts don't appeal to me. Would much rather adopt if I did want kids
Natalie, there’s a cure for that: scroll past and don’t make a**hat comments. You’re welcome.
Not having kids won't do much for overpopulation though, the issue is that past generations had too many children, having 1-2 won't do anything to the overall population growth. Overpopulation won't recede until the large family gen dies off
I feel sorry for you and envy you. Babies are amazing! Teenagers are demons!
The world isn't "over populated". The things people need and want are just very unevenly distributed because of greed and deception.
Yes sir
400, 000 babies born every single day. Not exactly a miracle.
Save Lol, I meant same but wanna keep that
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Don't let China here you say that...
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its a little rude, dont ya think? It's not about you and your decision, its about their body.
Not half as rude as women chiming in if we ever dare say we're not having kids
That wasn't the point; the point is that this article wasn't a debate about having or not having children but about being a woman and the changes their bodies go through while pregnant. Totally cool if you don't want kids, but don't use an article about women sharing their body stories while pregnant as a platform for your choice.
Pregnant women aren't weired. Pregnancy is a weird moment and these things are rather common, even though every woman will have different body reactions (no cravings for me). But the most important is that these 9 months pass very quickly and afterwards you usually don't bother all the little troubles. Feeling your baby moving in your belly, talking to them, preparing to welcome a little person is wonderful and the whole process is worth, if you choose it.
That's a lovely sentiment, but when you're in the middle of losing your GD mind and your body is acting unusual, it's hard, and it is weird. It's okay to make fun of it and whine about it and at the same time be very grateful for it.
Actually I'm in my 7th month and it hasn't always been a pleasant cruise, but this post makes me feel understood.