Not that I’m an expert but are you ready for the truth about pregnancy as I know it? Whether you like it or not, as soon as you announce you’re pregnant you get bombarded. Often well-intended, but almost surely, unsolicited “advice” comes at you from all sides, and it seems like people just love to share their own personal horror stories with you! This post is in collaboration with Carefree Acti-Fresh Liners, links contain affiliates.
“Be prepared to go late! First time moms are always late! I was 2 weeks overdue and SO uncomfortable!”
“Oh… how do you feel? I was sick for like 6 months straight when I was pregnant, it was horrible!”
“Ugh, stretch marks are the worst! And nothing will help them, TRUST me!”
“I was in labor for 48 hours and then the epidural wore off! Don’t even get me started on how long I had to push for!”
“Have your feet grown yet? You know, your feet will grow like, a size or two and never be the same.”
the truth about pregnancy
The truth about pregnancy is… every pregnancy is different. Every woman is different. Everyone’s experience is different. I know, gasp!
My first baby was two weeks early, my water broke less than 12 hours after my doctor told me she wouldn’t see me until my induction the following week because my baby wouldn’t be coming on his own before then. Babies come when they want.
Thanks for telling me how sick you were during your pregnancy, that really makes me look forward to the next several months.
Guess what, stretch marks are more hereditary than anything so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see and I actually find that having well-hydrated skin does help a little, thank you very much. And no, I really don’t want to compare stretch marks, but it was kind of you to offer.
Thank you for your terrifying horror story. I’m sure you mean well but the worst thing you could do right now is stress me out about an epic labor and delivery.
My feet have never actually grown during pregnancy. I know it’s not uncommon, but I’ve only dealt with my feet swelling temporarily. So I swear if you tell me I’m going to have to buy all new shoes I might cut you.
All that being said, there are some things that I use to help make some of the less glamorous aspects of pregnancy a little better, and I want to share them with you. I’m not suggesting you will need them during pregnancy, but you might want them.
3 simple things to help with pregnancy symptoms
citrus
Morning sickness is one of the negative aspects of pregnancy you hear about most often. You’ve probably also heard that “morning” sickness is a poor name for it, as for a lot of pregnant women it’s “morning, noon, and night” sickness. When I was pregnant with my son I never really had much morning sickness. So when I got pregnant with my daughter in 2011 I was surprised to find that my experience was totally different. I pretty much felt nauseous 24/7 for months. It wasn’t an overwhelming, can’t-keep-anything-down feeling–but just generally feeling gross all day long.
I tried lots of different things and what I finally found that works for me, and has worked for each of my pregnancies since, was citrus. Even plain water would make me want to gag, but some pink lemonade Crystal Lite poured into my cup and I was good to go, totally settled my stomach. Fresh oranges helped too, but it’s easy to always keep Crystal Lite in my cabinet for when I’m not feeling so great. Lemon juice and lemon essential oil in a glass of ice water are also great.
tucks pads
I thought that I had escaped one of the dreaded side effects of pregnancy, until my last trimester with baby #3. Ever since then I have been the lucky owner of a condition that starts with a “hem” and ends with “oids”. Yes, it’s embarrassing for me to share with you, but I couldn’t write this post without being honest with you, could I? I first learned of the wonder of Tucks Pads after my first birth, when I had an episiotomy. Ever since then, I’ve used them after giving birth, but thanks to baby #3, I’ve used them during my last two pregnancies as well. If you don’t need them before giving birth, do yourself a favor and pick some up for afterwards.
panty liners
Okay, here’s some more embarrassing truth about pregnancy. If you’ve never been pregnant, just rest assured that between interesting… discharge while pregnant, and the fact that all of a sudden you have to cross your legs every time you sneeze, panty liners are every pregnant lady’s best friend. I like Carefree’s Acti-Fresh liners because they are super thin, but very absorbent, and also stay in place great like my other liners I wear. The only major difference between these and the others is that these come individually wrapped, perfect for throwing an extra one in my purse, should I need it. They’re definitely an excellent choice to stay dry during pregnancy.
21 Responses to the truth about pregnancy
I don't know why but I had a couple girls from high school tell me about their miscarriages right after I announced I was pregnant. While I'm sure they meant well I can't wrap my head around how that could ever have crossed someone's mind and seemed like a good idea. One of them even blocked me on fb after not replying to the long message about losing her baby after posting I had to go to the hospital because I couldn't keep water down. Blows my mind to this day!!
I cannot stand that once a woman announces she is pregnant people assume that is a invitation to give all advice and tell every horror story they can think of. All three of my pregnancies and delivery's were so different. I have had some brutal delivery's, which I never tell a pregnant woman. She does not need to know or go there at all.
I JUST started using Essential oils and I'll be 39 weeks pregnant tomorrow with my secod baby. I really wish I had known about them during the first part of my pregnancy. These are all so true, however, my feet never grew. They got a little swollen with my first pregnncy towards the end, but never grew. So weird.
So, so true! I got so much ‘advice’ when I announced my pregnancy and I just smiled and that was that! I wanted to experience my pregnancy on my own and not worry about all of the negatives people were feeding me! And yup, I had nausea 24/7…not just the mornings. I never tried citrus, but will have to remember that if we have a second baby! Oh and I still have to cross my legs every time I sneeze! Never did that pre-childbirth! It makes me feel so old at times! But, I just have to laugh at myself.
Oh I must have been lucky as I totAlly don't remember anyone giving advice when pregnant. Though I may just have blocked that from memory!!!
I've never been pregnant, but know way too many people who are currently or have been recently (sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who isn't) and it's amazing how different each pregnancy is. From hearing all the different stories, it makes me a little nervous to be pregnant haha.
Ahhh so perfect and true! Every woman and every pregnancy are different. So many people warned me against being induced; my induction couldn't have gone any better! It was actually a pleasant experience for the most part! I second that about Tucks pads. Witch hazel is amazing!!
I love that people want to help, but it's so true, we are all different. Having things to pick from to try to help our own troubles is wonderful. Thanks for the tips!
Haha, I laugh because everyone thinks they're entitled to tell you stuff just because you're pregnant. Im almost embarrassed to say my feet did get bigger but I didnt need all new shoes.
I've had the same thing happen to me, please people, let's not share our tragic losses with our pregnant friends. I want to be supportive, but maybe wait until after the baby arrives safely, hmm?
Exactly! Unless, of course, she specifically asks, I suppose.
I have really loved some of my essential oils during pregnancy, I even have a guest post coming up next month about that.
Yeah, the feet comment was hilarious, considering it came from a male co-worker. A male co-worker who also gave me a dirty look every time I drank a soda. 🙂 I have had a few friends tell me their feet grew and stayed that big, carrying around an extra human does weird things to your body.
I know, seriously. I remember when I was younger thinking, "geez, what is my mom's problem." Well, now I know, my sisters and I were her problems. 😉
That's awesome! You probably would have remembered if you did, so you probably just have amazing friends and family who are super supportive! 🙂
Nah, it'll be awesome, then you'll have your own stories to share and unsolicited advice to give. 😉
That's a perfect example! I have heard such varying degrees of induction stories ranging from ending in horrific C-sections, to being the easiest, lowest pain delivery ever. So glad yours worked out well! I've actually had one scheduled with each of mine, but ended up delivering before my appointment.
I know, I feel badly because I know that most people really are just trying to be helpful and supportive, which is why I just smile and nod. 🙂
I know! EVERYONE feels entitled, even if they've never had a baby or even if they happen to have a Y chromosome. 😉
Never heard of tucks pads before, I'll have to check them out. I totally agree about letting everything go in one ear and out the other. I don't even know what's worse, the labor horror stories or the "I felt one contraction, pushed, and the baby was here 5 minutes later!" Go away and leave me alone, please 😉
Excellent advice and given very humbly because you are so right, every pregnancy is different. I am not so fortunate with the stretch marks genes :(. I am one of those that tried every vitamin, oil, and coco butter lotion throughout the whole pregnancy and after, but still couldn't escape them. They do fade a lot though and by my second pregnancy I was just over it and don't think about them at all. On a positive note I have never experienced any swelling. Now that I'm on my 4th I definitely don't have to worry about any advice, even my Doctor is like "I don't know you're the expert. You tell me." Ha ha! Anyway, I am with you on all three items. I never had hemorrhoids, but my sil suggested tucks pads just for post vaginal birth discomfort when wiping and they were a life saver!!!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[…] | Read: The Truth About Pregnancy | […]