I remember the time that I discovered I was pregnant. The joy that overcame my heart and the warmth I felt were unexplainable. I even began to imagine myself pregnant and one too many times I found myself touching my flat tummy trying to imagine how I would look with a baby bump.
What I didn’t know was that the journey ahead of me was the longest and toughest yet, but rewarding. The best thing about pregnancy, in my experience, is knowing that at the end of those nine months, I would be holding my precious little princess or prince with overwhelming joy.
Before I got to that point, there was so much that I went through that I wish I knew I would. No one prepared me for that but you don't have to learn the hard way.
What I didn’t know was that the journey ahead of me was the longest and toughest yet, but rewarding. The best thing about pregnancy, in my experience, is knowing that at the end of those nine months, I would be holding my precious little princess or prince with overwhelming joy.
Before I got to that point, there was so much that I went through that I wish I knew I would. No one prepared me for that but you don't have to learn the hard way.
Here are 4 things I didn’t know about pregnancy that I wish I knew.
1. First Trimester Can Seem Like The Longest
My first trimester which is usually three months felt like six months. I had the worst pregnancy symptoms. My nausea could not be cured with anti-nausea meds, my appetite was wanting, I hated fried food and would vomit from just a sniff of it and I just couldn’t get out of bed.
I wasn’t lazy or on bed rest, no. I just couldn’t stop sleeping. I don’t know if I am the only one who has ever experienced this but I was so sleepy for the first three months. I would find myself sleeping all through the night till the next day at noon.
And that was if someone woke me up. If I would have been alone in my house, I would have probably slept for two days straight and not even felt hungry because of my lack of appetite.
I wasn’t lazy or on bed rest, no. I just couldn’t stop sleeping. I don’t know if I am the only one who has ever experienced this but I was so sleepy for the first three months. I would find myself sleeping all through the night till the next day at noon.
And that was if someone woke me up. If I would have been alone in my house, I would have probably slept for two days straight and not even felt hungry because of my lack of appetite.
2. The Size Of Your Belly Will Depend On Your Height
During my pregnancy, my belly didn’t show until I got to the seventh month. People would hardly believe that I was pregnant. I guess that is a perk of being tall.
At some point, my gynecologist got worried that my baby wasn’t developing well, but the scans showed that she was. The sad part was that I didn’t get to enjoy my baby bump as much.
My friend, Regina, who is a lot shorter than me, showed me how big her baby bump was when at just three months pregnant. So, if you are tall like me, you will only get to enjoy that bump for a short while and if you are short like my friend Regina, you will enjoy it for a longer period.
At some point, my gynecologist got worried that my baby wasn’t developing well, but the scans showed that she was. The sad part was that I didn’t get to enjoy my baby bump as much.
My friend, Regina, who is a lot shorter than me, showed me how big her baby bump was when at just three months pregnant. So, if you are tall like me, you will only get to enjoy that bump for a short while and if you are short like my friend Regina, you will enjoy it for a longer period.
3. If You Suffer From Heartburn, You Will Be Glad You Do
There is an old wives tale that says suffering from heartburn means you will give birth to a baby with a full head of hair. I count myself lucky because I am currently enjoying styling my baby girl's hair. After all, we bond when I do it. I never minded the heart burns, because I knew it would be worth it.
4. Your Partner May Experience Pregnancy Symptoms
Sympathy pregnancy is real and men go through it. Imagine your partner going through the same symptoms as you are. At first, I thought he was pretending until I read an article that proved me wrong.
When pregnant, your partner may experience nausea as you do, gain weight, and may even experience the same mood swings you are. It is strange I know, but don’t you think it takes the phrase ‘I understand what you are going through’ to another level?
All these things were new to me as a first-time mom and I wish I knew before I got pregnant. It would have prepared me mentally most especially, and physically. However, this did not stop me even one bit from enjoying my whole pregnancy journey. I loved the sleeping bit a lot because I would sleep and not worry about people judging me.
When pregnant, your partner may experience nausea as you do, gain weight, and may even experience the same mood swings you are. It is strange I know, but don’t you think it takes the phrase ‘I understand what you are going through’ to another level?
All these things were new to me as a first-time mom and I wish I knew before I got pregnant. It would have prepared me mentally most especially, and physically. However, this did not stop me even one bit from enjoying my whole pregnancy journey. I loved the sleeping bit a lot because I would sleep and not worry about people judging me.