10 Surprising Things About Pregnancy (so far)
Warning: some of this (okay, MOST) is probably TMI. Today I'm sharing some surprising things I've encountered during my pregnancy so far. Maybe everyone else knew these things were going to happen but for me, no matter how much reading or "preparation" or research I did for pregnancy, some things still came as quick a shock.
1. Pregnancy brain is no joke. I kind of thought pregnancy brain was just an excuse for pregnant women to "forget" things and get away with it. Yeah...no. I was just having a conversation with a pregnant coworker and after about a minute of silence I asked her "What were we just talking about?" to which she replied "I have no idea." It was pretty comical but really sums it up quite nicely.
2. All. The. Emotions. Holy hormones, batman. From simply seeing a cute sign for our baby's nursery to watching a Subaru commercial, I'm an emotional mess. Although, lucky for Marc, aside from one major meltdown, I haven't had any hormonal rages that were directed towards him or anyone else. I've just been a big sappy cry baby, and I can't help it!
3. Some days I feel cute. Some days I don't. I kind of figured it would go one way or the other. Either I was going to be someone who loved being pregnant, or someone who didn't love it. But really, every day is different. Sometimes I feel like my butt is growing more than my belly, and others I feel like I can pull off a pregnancy outfit pretty well. But most of the time I just live in yoga pants and a stretchy t-shirt.
4. How hard exercise is. As a marathon runner, yogi, and overall fitness enthusiast, I kind of thought I had pregnancy fitness in the bag. Ha! Right. While some days I can make it through a Body Pump class with no problem, other days I can barely run longer than 5 minutes at a time. Though, the running issues are mainly due to my bladder and the quality of my workout clothes (see #5). I also feel much less balanced in yoga and simple poses are much more fatiguing than they used to be, but my hips feel so much better if I practice regularly so I'm trying to stay consistent with it.
5. My chest. I knew boobs got bigger during pregnancy, but I assumed it was more towards the end when they were getting ready to be "productive." BUT, fun fact that we learned in our child birthing class last night: women are ready to produce milk as early as the second trimester. Which explains the fact that at the start of my second trimester I only had the two bras that fit me and they're the ones I had recently bought. Along the same lines, my strappy yoga tanks with the built in bra are no longer acceptable for me to wear while running (ouch), during spin class (ouch and too much cleavage), and they're even pushing it for yoga (too much bending over/possibility of falling out). Needless to say, sports bras are a must for workouts these days.
6. Not being able to drink wine doesn't get any easier throughout pregnancy. I really hate admitting this because it sounds bad but I just really still miss wine. For some reason I thought giving up alcohol wouldn't be that hard since one: I don't drink THAT often, and two: I know it's what's best for the baby. But MAN some nights I just want a glass of wine! I can't be the only one like this, right? Right?!
7. How hard it is to put a baby registry together. I mean, does any new parent REALLY know what they need? Who knows what kind of bottle will be the most successful, if cloth diapers will work for us, or if our baby will prefer the Rockaroo or Mamaroo (or none of the above!)? (p.s. any advice is appreciated!!)
8. How rude people can be sometimes. Seriously, even "Minnesota nice" won't stop people from telling me "Oh, girls are way better than boys" or randomly touching my belly (this happened with a complete stranger.) One guy even came up to me at the gym and told me it was a good thing I'm working out because his wife never lost the baby weight. Rude. It's like having a baby bump is an open invitation for everybody's opinion and advice. No gracias.
9. How much I would actually love this little guy before I even meet him. I was worried that I wouldn't feel bonded to our baby until after he was born, but every day I love him more and cannot wait to see what all these movements he's doing look like in real life. I'm pretty sure my heart is going to explode when I get to see and hold him for the first time. Oh, here I go again. Does anyone have a tissue?
10. How fun it is. No, really! I think this also might be because I have a lot of friends and coworkers who are also pregnant right now, so it's really fun talking about our cravings, our symptoms (who else is better to complain about constipation than someone else who is constipated?), our wardrobe troubles, and all of the tips and advice we've received from other friends. I think if I had been pregnant a year ago, this might be a different case, but even without a ton of preggo friends, it is just so incredible to see your body changing and growing a human being.
So that's it! My 10 surprising things about pregnancy so far. If you are or have been pregnant, what were some things that surprised you?
Oh my gosh, people actually say that stuff to you?!?! What the heck! You need to come up with a snappy phrase to throw back at them 😉 And yes to the wine thing. I mean, it is nice to never have a wine hangover but man, I'd really just like a glass!
Yeah I just don't understand people! And I have totally thought about that same thing about not having a wine hangover! Pregnancy is good for something, I guess 🙂
Oh man, I would have lost it on that guy… probably with something along the lines of "well, when she divorces you I bet the weight will just fall right off of her". I don't think you're alone in the wine cravings, I'm not pregnant but I enjoy a beer or a glass of wine with dinner a couple nights per week. its not a lot, but it is delicious.
Haha I was just so stunned I didn't know what to say. I came up with a lot of comebacks in my head later, though 🙂
I love this list! It's helpful and informative and also fun! 😀
Thanks Kayle!
Thank you for this! My fiance and I are hoping to get pregnant in the fall after our wedding, and I feel like no one tells you what pregnancy is REALLY like. I know it's different for everyone but this at least gives me a REAL idea of what to expect. Thank you!
Jen,
I'm so glad this was helpful! Happy wedding planning and starting a family 🙂
Ohhhhh the things no one ever tells you about pregnancy!! I agree with it all. I also thought pregnancy brain was an excuse - but it is FOR REAL. Like you, I'm organized and pretty put together, but I found myself walking into a room to grab… something… countless times. Holding multiple conversations at a social gathering was exhausting! The number of reminder notes I wrote myself never ended! Oh, and here's a fun fact, it's not just pregnancy brain! It continues while you're breastfeeding, apparently due to hormones. It's not as bad as pregnancy brain, but I definitely still feel it sometimes. I've never heard anyone say "breastfeeding brain" but it is also a thing. I've declared it.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Have a few sips or a small glass of wine on occasion! At this point in pregnancy, everything is developed and you can rest assured the baby will be fine. 🙂
By the way, you'll be able to make a list just like this for the surprising things no one ever tells you about postpartum life, being a new mom, or caring for a newborn. I have a list that is about 20 items long so far! Can't wait to commiserate about it all!
#7 - I remember going to the store almost every single day during my twelve weeks off after Juliana was born because we had no clue what to buy ahead of time that would be useful. My advice now is to have lots of baby wash cloths and towels and a big packet of cloth diapers and lots of Clorox wipes. I used disposables on her bottom, but the cloth diapers were great for spit ups which happen a lot . Clorox wipes were good for everything. A little bag to carry around all your baby stuff and just stock it with what you need - do not load an unload so you have it when you are dashing out the door to go somewhere. LOTS of onesies and little hand socks to keep them from scratching their faces. Little tiny baby clippers and a nose sucker to get all the mucus out of their noses. Most of all lots and lots of kisses -TONS of kisses everyday 🙂 have fun and enjoy all the moments because they go fast.
Karen,
Thanks for the advice! I love the idea of using cloth diapers for burp rags/spit up but your part about the kisses is my favorite 🙂
Yes on wanting wine and not being able to have it!
And, yes, some people can be so rude! My husband and I were at an event a day after my due date for our first (so yes the belly was big!) and this random guy said to me, "Hey, the hospital's that way!" Good thing I have a sense of humor!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who misses wine 🙂 And seriously - what is wrong with people?!
First of all, your belly and you are absolutely adorable. Second of all, someone touched it??? What is wrong with people?!
Yes! And a complete stranger. So weird.
I can really relate to your list!
Hot feet and just feeling hot in general were the things that surprised me! Our house was like a freezer with me cranking up the A/C at all times 😉 My husband and visitors had to wear a sweater the whole time, hehe.
The 'I-can't-believe-you-just-asked-that' questions and 'I-can't-believe-you-just-said-that' comments were bad (like "Was it planned?" said by more than one person when we were newlyweds in a big house with extra bedrooms... Ummm??!!) but unfortunately I feel that the comments and judgement actually gets far worse after having the baby (re the unwanted advice and questions like "Are you breastfeeding?" from strangers)!
People are generally very nice when they see a baby OR a pregnant person, BUT the stress from the comments has been worse since having the baby, in my experience. This does not have to be a negative thing though - I think it makes us have a thicker skin and gain more confidence, and you have to learn that it is "water off a duck's back" because at the end of the day you will know what is best for your baby! I think it also teaches you that "you can't please everyone". There is a lot of pressure when you are a new parent. Supermarket shopping is always the time where one person (i.e. stranger) will say "Baby looks too cold in those clothes" and the next person you run into will say "Baby looks too hot", so in the end you just have to laugh and understand that they are trying to be helpful or useful or relevant, but it really isn't helping at all! ("Baby needs socks on" and it's over 104F outside, that sort of thing). So in a way "you can't win", but actually by doing your own thing as parents and ignoring unwanted outside influences you CAN win!! 🙂
I've definitely felt a change in my core temp but since I was going from always being freezing, I feel like I'm finally comfortable at normal temps! And yes I've gotten so much unsolicited advice already. It comes mostly from my patients at work, so I just smile and politely say that I appreciate the advice. 🙂
Well firstly, you are THE MOST ADORABLE pregnant person, so there's that. Secondly, you are so not alone with the wine thing. I missed it nearly every day when I was pregnant (also margaritas. And G&Ts.) but soon, soon you'll get to have a glass again! And thirdly, people said the most ridiculous things when you are pregnant! Thank goodness I never had anyone touch my belly but it was amazing how many people thought it was totally appropriate to ask me how much weight I'd gained. Ummmm no thank you?
And if you need any help with that registry, let me know! I know it can be overwhelming.
Yesss to missing margs and G&T's too! I haven't had anyone ask how much weight I've gained thankfully and whoever is the first might just get a big smack on the side of the head.
Great list, Taylor. Yes to pregnancy brain and the emotions! Oh yes, I miss my red wine and beer. Luckily my husband is more of a beer guy so we don't have wine around right now to make me crave it even more. Enjoying one sip of his beer every now and then is fine though, right? 😉 You are a rock star to be running/doing yoga and body pump right now. I stopped running with Elsie about halfway through and then just did prenatal yoga. This time around, I count running around after my toddler as my workout. Just don't overdo it - listen to your body and take time to relax too! You will bounce back after baby, so don't worry about that. And as for the baby registry, if you're not sure if you'll need it or if your baby will like it, wait on it. Don't even register for it. If at all possible, borrow carriers/slings/bouncy seats/swings from friends to make sure your baby likes it before buying something he won't like and you will not use and will just take up space. That's been our philosophy at least. 🙂 Enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy - your sweet little guy will be here before you know it! So excited for you!
Amanda,
Thanks for the registry advice - I am going to go get rid of the excess right now! Also - congratulations to you!! How exciting! Your announcement was adorable 🙂
Oh my gosh, I LOVE this! I wish I was doing a better job of updating my progress on my blog, but I'm afraid that's one of the areas I'm failing in right now - oh well! 😛 I relate to SO many of these things!! Ahhh, so good to know I'm not alone and so enjoy reading these and seeing your adorable bump!!