5 Things (Nobody Tells You) About Being Pregnant
People are quick to tell you about the negatives of being pregnant, from the morning sickness, the aches, the pains and every bizarre symptom in between (random nosebleeds and metal mouth, anyone?).
But it's not all bad, far from it. There are some really amazing things that can happen to you when you are pregnant and I'm going to focus on these:
1. You become a 'we'.
From the moment you find out you’re pregnant, you’re suddenly not alone any more. Every small thing you do, you’re now doing it as part of a team. This might sound weird, but it’s actually amazing. You feel so connected to this tiny creature inside you. It’s not about 'me' anymore, it’s about us. I no longer do anything alone. Now if I walk to the shops, I walk there with my baby. If I eat, or rest, or go dancing, I’m doing it with my baby.
2. You become closer with your partner.
The first few weeks after you find out you’re having a baby can be daunting, but they also bring you and your partner closer together.
The time before you tell your family and friends about your pregnancy and you and your partner share that secret is incredibly intimate. You spend a lot of time planning and daydreaming, making rules for the teenager that isn’t even born yet (my daughter will never wear short shorts!). Every milestone you pass brings the baby closer to being a reality and the two of you closer to becoming a family.
3. You’re forced to get healthy.
As a heavy smoking caffeine addict with a sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy has really improved my health. I tried to quit smoking many times over the years without success. Patches, gums, medications - I tried everything to no avail. But once I found out that I was sharing my body with another human, putting down the cigarettes was the easiest thing in the world. I am suddenly motivated to exercise and move, because I want to give my baby the best possible chance of growing strong and healthy. My diet has changed from junk food to fruits and vegetables and I’ve never felt better. I’ve even lost a few kilos!
4. No more body shame.
Women spend their lives obsessing about their appearance, worrying about their weight and trying to hide their perceived flaws. I’m now five months pregnant with a big baby bump and I’ve never felt more beautiful. I don’t have to try and hide my curves now, I can flaunt them and seeing a pregnant woman with a big healthy tum puts a smile on everyone’s face. To top it off your hair becomes thicker and shinier with no effort from you and people tell you you’re glowing even on the days when you feel less than glamorous.
5. Feeling your baby move for the first time.
Every woman feels this at a different time. I first felt those butterfly flutters in my stomach a few weeks ago and now I feel them regularly. It’s a magical feeling knowing that those tiny little movements are your baby kicking and turning. One of my favourite moments was feeling those flutters while I was singing a bad song off the radio. I knew that my baby was reacting to my voice and I will remember that moment forever. I love having this time when those movements and feelings are just between me and my baby, it’s our special time.
This list is specific to me of course, every woman would have a different thing to share but you can bet that they’ll all be able to find their own positives.
So, if you’re scared of going through pregnancy, don’t be, because the good far outweighs the bad.
Nina is a 28 year old aspiring journalist who lives in the Blue Mountains. Nina has worked as a producer at Channel Seven and written for the Sydney Morning Herald. She is currently expecting her first child with her partner David and is enjoying everything about being pregnant. Read more of Nina's work at: www.themwordmag.wordpress.com
