Ten Things You Need To Know Before Getting Pregnant

Chances are if you’re a first time mama to be like me then you’ll also be blissfully unaware of what happens throughout that precious forty week period.  Yes, we’ve all heard about morning sickness, tiredness and swollen ankles and we’ve definitely all looked out hopefully for the pregnancy glow but what about the things they don’t tell you?  Here are 10 things I wish I’d known before embarking on the ‘journey of life (giving)’.

ps. Had a baby before? Guarantee you’ll have blocked these from your mind…

10 things to know before getting pregnant

10 Things To Know Before You Get Pregnant

Morning sickness lied to you

It can happen morning, noon and night and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re physically sick, trust me, nausea can be just as rough. It also doesn’t stick to just the first trimester, plenty of women suffer throughout their pregnancy and it often makes a comeback in the final few weeks.  Feeling queasy?  Cross your fingers and hope you’re one of the lucky ones who don’t suffer Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), an intense and debilitating level of morning sickness.

Sleep, precious sleep

It’s a cruel twist of fate that in the months when you most need sleep to, you know, grow life, you’ll struggle the most.  You’ll spend the days propping your eyelids open, drop off mid-sentence in the early evening and then spend the night counting the minutes between toilet breaks/positioning pillows to find a comfy spot/googling pregnancy symptoms/wanting to murder your husband for sleeping like a baby next to you.  I mean really, how dare he.

Related post: Pregnant? Try our pregnancy calendar filled with weekly updates and facts

The fear

No-one tells you that the worry of being a parent starts from the minute you pee on that stick.  You will worry about every twinge, cramp and ache going.  You’ll spend every other moment frantically googling XX symptom at XX weeks to if it’s normal.  You’ll worry your baby is kicking too much, too little, too.. how the hell does a foot get there?! Also, you’ll develop a wonderful habit of inspecting your underwear every time you go to the toilet.  Which leads me nicely on to…

Changes down under

Whatever you call your lady garden and all the wonders it beholds, things are about to get.. messy.  First up, discharge.  You will start peering at your underwear in the manner of a tea-leaf reader and then compare it to websites.  Your internet history will resemble some odd form of porno search as you find yourself pondering over whether or not your discharge counts as ‘egg-white’ or ‘cottage cheese’ like.  Nearer the end you’ll start looking out for your mucus plug, something that looks as vile as it sounds.  Worst still, you’ll find yourself calling in your other half to help inspect.  Yum.

Wet, wet, wet

It’s not just discharge that’s about to happen.  Your normally strong, bank vault-esque bladder is about to become your worst enemy.  You’ll sit down only to find you desperately, right this second, oh my god I’m not going to make it, need to wee, struggle to the toilet only to squeeze out a dribble.  If that.  Repeat this atleast 10 times an hour before sneezing or coughing and finding out that oh, your bladder WAS full this time and it now… isn’t.  Form an orderly queue behind the blue rinse brigade, you’re about to get intimately acquainted with the incontinence pads.  For added fun and games, wait until the end of the third trimester and add in the ‘was that my waters’ guessing game.  Sniffing your underwear has never been so acceptable.

Related post: How to prepare your toddler for a new sibling

A bump on your nose? Pregnancy symptom

Thought you knew your pregnancy symptom from your normal day to day gripe?  Nuhuh… EVERYTHING is a symptom.  Got a cold?  It’s probably pregnancy congestion.  Achey leg?  It could be sciatica, pelvic girdle pain or the baby on a nerve.  Itch? Oh it’s probably cholestatis. Headache? Sore throat? Insomnia? Tiredness? Dry eyes?  Achey vagina? Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep and yep.  Any illness you can think of can almost always be passed off by your medical team as a ‘normal’ pregnancy symptom…. you’re not dying, apparently.  Leading nicely on to…

Helpful phrases.

People will try and be nice.  They will.  And they will say things that they think are nice and helpful and practical and calming.  And possibly they are.  You, however, will be a screaming tornado of hormones and emotions and will read way too much into everything resulting in you routinely declaring your hatred for them.  Let me tell you some of the best..

  • “It’s not an illness”/”You’re not dying” – well, no, I KNOW that but right now I feel completely like death and I know it’s going to continue for another 7/8/9 months so honestly, death feels like a nice option right about now.
  • “Gosh, you look REALLY pregnant today” – why?  Because I look fat?  Are you saying I look fat?  Oh god I’ve ballooned *reaches for comforting biscuit*
  • “Wow, your bump is tiny” – what?!  Firstly, I’m humongous.  Secondly, does that mean my baby isn’t growing fast enough? Is something wrong?  Something’s wrong isn’t it?! *reaches for comforting biscuit*
  • “In MY day…” – No-one wants to hear this.  Things are different, trends change, research develops.  Yes you may have raised 5 children without killing them, No, that doesn’t mean I’m about to ignore developments in medical science and raise my child à la 80’s.
  • “I know someone who…” – Again, no good story starts like this.  They will have had the worst labour ever, the fastest labour ever, the worst symptom, the best symptom.  Put your head down, sing to yourself and plough on… you don’t have time for everyone else’s pregnancy horrors.

Your body?!  Think again.

Your body is about to become public property.  People you know, people you don’t, hell, even randoms in the street will attempt to touch your bump.  The chances are they’ll apologise whilst doing it but they’ll still reach out.  Which I’m sure is nice… but seriously, when is that okay when you’re not pregnant!?  Those who don’t will probably express an unhealthy interest in your bodily function.  For the first time ever you’ll find yourself discussing your breasts with your co-workers/doctors/dad.  You’ll have people asking about your birth plan and openly chat about it over dinner whilst trying to ignore the fact that you’re talking about a human coming out of your va-jay-jay.  Oh, and you’ll probably have to learn to say the word vagina out loud.  Because the doctor doesn’t understand re-enactments over the phone.

No bump, no bump, no bump… GIANT BUMP

When you first get pregnant you will fantasize about the cute bump you’ll get and how you’ll dress it.  Be warned.  Cute bumps are rare.  I spent weeks patiently waiting to ‘show’ before spending months in the ‘is that pie or a baby?’ phase before BAM giant bump. There was no cuteness.  My clothes went from being baggy across the stomach to being stretched painfully tightly in the space of two weeks.  Let me give you some advice, do not look up #stylethebump on instagram.  And if you’re lucky enough to be one of those mama’s to be that look awesome… please can you send some of your sparkle my way?!

Related post: What time of year is best to have a baby?

You’ll count down the seconds until it’s over but you’ll want it to never end.

The biggest lie you hear about pregnancy is that it’s 9 months.  Whatev.  It’s 40 weeks which is TECHNICALLY closer to 10 months if you’re being picky which, when you’re carrying another human 24/7 is completely justifiable.  Every app you have on your phone will count down with weeks to go, people will constantly ask how much time you’ve got left and there’ll be countless nights where you repeat the mantra ’46 days to go, 46 days to go, 46 days…’ like it’s the only thing keeping you sane.  And then, you won’t want it to end.  Because even though you need to pee every 2 seconds, walking is like sticking pins directly into your pelvis and you can’t breathe from heartburn after eating food 6 hours ago…  pregnancy is pretty freakin’ amazeballs.  You have made life. From sperm. And fair enough it might be beating you up from the inside out but that feeling??  Totally worth it..

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Ten things you should know before getting pregnant. New mum/mom? Second time parent? Dad? This funny look tells you some of the ins and outs of pregnancy; fun facts, essential knowledge for soon to be parents.

33 Comments

  • Juni Desireé 7th April 2016 at 3:37 am

    Love this. I was wondering if I could include some of this in a book I’m working on as a tribute to mothers. Your name, age and country will be included or you can be anonymous. I totally understand if you want to decline, but just thought I’d check. There are also some prompts if you are interested. Feel free to email for more info

    • Devon Mama 7th April 2016 at 11:14 am

      Hi Juni,
      Thanks for your message, sounds like a great project. I’ve sent you through an email.
      Hayley aka Devon Mama x

      • Juni Desireé 7th April 2016 at 11:51 am

        Hey thank you so much. I’ve sent a reply.

  • Bubsy Diaries 16th October 2016 at 7:25 pm

    Love this! So so spot on! Really gave me a giggle. I have a friend pregnant with her first at the moment. I have told her to read this!! X #KCACOLS

    • Devon Mama 18th October 2016 at 8:48 am

      Ahhh yay! It’s such an odd experience isn’t it but *whispers* I kinda miss it! x

  • Mummytodex 17th October 2016 at 9:12 am

    The last point is so very true! I wish I could relive it all over again. It’s such a cliche but time goes so fast

    • Devon Mama 18th October 2016 at 8:49 am

      Way too fast!! I never thought I’d miss being pregnant (it felt like forever at the time) but now I miss my bump! Thanks for reading x

  • Emma 17th October 2016 at 1:32 pm

    lol this made me chuckle because it is so bloody true. why do people tell you these things too like your bump is small/big you look good/crap – just leave me alone haha! #KCACOLS

    • Devon Mama 18th October 2016 at 8:50 am

      ‘Oh my god, you look huge’ used to haunt me in my sleep!! Errr thanks guys! Thanks for reading x

  • Educating Roversi 17th October 2016 at 9:10 pm

    Ha ha so true! So many things cropped up in pregnancy and post birth that I never knew happened. #KCACOLs

    • Devon Mama 18th October 2016 at 8:51 am

      They should tell you this stuff at school – would be a far better contraceptive talk!! Thanks for reading x

  • Mainy - myrealfairy 20th October 2016 at 5:14 pm

    The worry I feel every second of the day for my two could never be explained beforehand!:)

    Mainy

    #KCACOLS

    • Devon Mama 20th October 2016 at 6:04 pm

      The worry for one is enough!! Feel your pain! Thanks for reading x

  • Tracey Bowden 21st October 2016 at 1:47 pm

    Haha this made me laugh and nod along to pretty much everything. Although I will include the random food cravings and how your once favourite food in a restaurant could leaving running to the toilets to throw up at the mere sight of it never mind eating it! *true story. I also experienced the have I wet myself/waters broken issue, the waters thank god had indeed broken, not any less embarrassing but still a small relief!
    Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

    • DevonMamaOnline 21st October 2016 at 5:12 pm

      I forgot the food attacks!! Oh you poor thing… nothing quite puts you off your favourite food like seeing it in reverse! Thanks for hosting and for stopping by x

  • Madeline (This Glorious Life) 21st October 2016 at 8:46 pm

    Brilliant post, lots of great info for first-time mums-to-be! Love the last point especially. I really miss being pregnant at times, there’s just something so special about it. x #KCACOLS

    • DevonMamaOnline 21st October 2016 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you!! I know, never thought I would miss it and yet now I get bump envy majorly!! Thanks for reading x

  • The Hippy Christian Mum 21st October 2016 at 10:50 pm

    Omg I am so glad I’m not pregnant anymore. Blood-dee hellfire #KCACOLS

    • DevonMamaOnline 21st October 2016 at 11:12 pm

      Hahahahaaaa!!! Funny how you forget though! Thanks for stopping by x

  • Deborah Nicholas 20th January 2017 at 2:58 pm

    love this and wish i had read it before i went into pregnancy with blinkers on! lol That was almost 21 years ago and now 6 kids later I can laugh at the lack of sleep and everything that comes with it! lol

    • DevonMamaOnline 20th January 2017 at 7:02 pm

      Six kids… you should be writing this instead!! I think all of us go into it blind, it’s a rude awakening!!

  • EssexKate 20th January 2017 at 3:03 pm

    I definitely remember rushing to the toilet on numerous occasions only to find a tiny dribble to come out. Arrggghh.
    And what about all the “What is it?” questions from strangers who think they have the right to know your child’s sex (like it matters). There were times I responded with “a baby, hopefully.

    • DevonMamaOnline 20th January 2017 at 7:03 pm

      “I think it’s just burgers” – shuddering at the thought of all the questions!

  • Jooleroo | Mama OWL Blog 20th January 2017 at 4:50 pm

    The good old days, I am so glad I never have to go through any of that ever again!

    • DevonMamaOnline 20th January 2017 at 7:03 pm

      I know; now I look back quite fondly on them! Atleast they were quiet!!

  • Babies and Beauty 20th January 2017 at 6:59 pm

    This was hilarious!!! I couldn’t agree more. If only pregnancy books and apps were as honest as this.

    Emily x

    • DevonMamaOnline 20th January 2017 at 7:04 pm

      I was all ‘it’ll be easy!!’ HA!!!

  • Lyndsey O'Halloran 20th January 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I didn’t have a bump but then Erin was only 4lb when she was born!

    • DevonMamaOnline 21st January 2017 at 7:59 am

      Oh wow, tiny!!!

  • Georgina 21st January 2017 at 3:29 am

    Spot on! From the second I found out I was pregnant I had broken sleep and was wracked with fear, I actually think I worried more then than I do now he’s here. Helpful phrases included “he could be ages yet” on a morning where I’d had the worst night sleep of my life (again even though he’s here now, this still trumped it.) I was 38 weeks and joking about eating some pineapple to get him moving and someone came out with that gem! Luckily Rory was early so showed them!! Also I really miss being pregnant. That started when he was three days old, I missed the movements and the fact I’d grown him if that makes sense?

    • DevonMamaOnline 21st January 2017 at 7:59 am

      I miss it too!! Even talking about it makes me broody and yet at the time I wanted him out so badly!!

  • Roxanne 21st January 2017 at 8:43 am

    These made me laugh!! All so true could have written it myself xxx

  • Jaymee Heaton 22nd January 2017 at 2:58 pm

    This is fab! So true too!!

  • Leave a Reply

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