To us outsiders, being pregnant seems like such a beautiful experience. Months of researching baby names, learning about the human body during doctor's appointments, and bringing a new life into this world. Honestly, it sounds so magical.
But the everyday life of pregnancy is so much more than that. And way less glamorous than the movies want us to believe. Stylish maternity clothes are really expensive and hard to find, and that "glow" that everyone keeps mentioning is more sweat than sprinkles.
To paint you a more accurate picture of what it's really like to grow a human being in your belly, Bored Panda has compiled a list of honest posts that mothers and their loved ones made about them expecting.
This post may include affiliate links.
Unsolicited Advice
It's ok to assume one is pregnant if it encourages to be polite (to give a seat, open doors, etc) but if it's used to control and humiliate like in this example... Makes me MAD.
Oops
To help you make sense of what pregnant women go through, Bored Panda contacted Vicki Broadbent, a writer, director, broadcaster, and founder of the parenting blog Honest Mum. "There is a myriad of changes which take place when you're pregnant: hormonal so chemical/emotional changes and of course physical as your body expands to house your precious cargo," the bestselling author of Mumboss (UK) and The Working Mom (the US and Canada) said.
Vicki herself has two boys and a baby girl on the way. "I believe pregnancy has provided me with somewhat of a maternal superpower too. My instincts are sharpened so my boundaries are stronger; I have less tolerance for any BS or drama as I'm protective of my mental and physical health and that of my baby's and my focus is firmly on that which brings me joy," she explained. "I recently read that women are born with all of the eggs they'll ever have in a lifetime and that when my mother was in my grandmother's womb I was there, nestled within her as a tiny egg. How incredible is that? I like to think there's a generational strength that has been passed down to me from this strong line of women, empowering me on a cellular level."
That's true, female babies are born with all the egg cells they're ever going to have; around 1-2 million of them! No new egg cells are made during their lifetime. When a girl reaches puberty, she has between 300,000 and 400,000 eggs left.
A Gift My Husband Made For Me To Use When Strangers/Family Get Too Grabby Towards My Belly Without Asking First
Feelin’ Like A Whole Chicken
Pregnancy starts taking its toll right from the get-go. "First-trimester nausea and fatigue certainly aren't fun. Nor is indigestion and insomnia of the second trimester but as this is my fourth pregnancy and third baby (I sadly lost a baby last year), I am relishing the magic of pregnancy as much as possible," Vicki Broadbent said.
That being said, Vicki still faces challenges. "I can't lie and say I'm fully at peace with my changing body as society/the media and my own pressure to not look 'too big' does affect me but I'm certainly trying to be kind to myself with loving affirmations and making healthy food choices and safely exercising. I'm doing daily meditation too so I can be more responsive and less reactive — hormones can be wild at times — so that helps!"
Tommy's, the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and neonatal death, also recognizes that it's natural to get a bit stressed when you're pregnant and acknowledges that coping with your symptoms and changing lifestyle, as well as everyday life, can sometimes be overwhelming. To relax, Tommy's offers these tips.
I Texted My 36 Week Pregnant Wife To Ask How She Was Feeling, This Was The Photo I Got In Response
My Pregnant Wife Had To Dress Up As A Superhero For Work Today
Another way in which Endgame delivered! (The more serious being showing a superhero battling depression, generally being a mess, and crying, while still being a superhero.)
Personally, Vicki prefers meditation and allowing herself to feel all the emotions that arise. This includes crying when she needs to.
"Talking candidly about how I'm feeling is key," she said. "I kept a lot of trauma buried within me after a tough first birth and I learned from that period that not expressing my pain was detrimental to my mental health so now I talk (and talk) to those I love."
The mom listens to her body too. "When I need to sleep, I sleep and any guilt I might have harbored to try and be superwoman in previous pregnancies has definitely gone this time around."
Vicki discusses her experiences in her blog Honest Mum as well as on Facebook and Instagram. She will be releasing a new post today so be sure to check it out. Nobody is quite as articulate and sincere as she is.
My Pregnant Wife Is Practicing Her Swaddling. Skittles Isn't A Fan
Pregnancy Problems
Help Your Wife Out
My Wife Sneaking Up On Me
My 39-Week Pregnant Wife Went To The Store To “Get Stuff For Dinner”. This Is What She Came Home With
My Pregnant Wife Wanted Pancakes In The Middle Of The Night. I Delivered
Pregnancy Struggles
My Wife Is Pregnant And She Thought It Would Be Funny To Take A Picture Of Our Dog's Feet Looking Like They Are Her's
Pregnancy Probs
Pregnancy Is Beautiful They Said. You'll Glow They Said
Pregnancy Brain
My Pregnant Wife Has Been Practicing Her Swaddling Technique On The Dog
Pregnancy Problems
Before And After
My Wife Is 39 Weeks Pregnant And Really Wants To See Deadpool 2
My Husband Found Me Hiding In The Bathroom, Pants Down, Shoveling Cookie Dough Ice Cream In My Mouth And Hiding From Our Kids. This Is Pregnancy (29weeks)
Pregnancy Struggles
Same! Now my husband helps me (and sometimes for the socks, the shoes...)
Pregnancy Hormones
Pregnancy Brain Is So Real. My Daughters Daycare Lady Sent Me This. I’m So Embarrassed
Looking All Over The House For A Good While... And Freaking Out Since Already Running Late, Finally Found My Damn Keys
Common side effect of parenting while pregnant.
It’s not just a pregnancy thing I’ve done done this a few times found my phone in the freezer once.
Too Hot To Wear Pants And Dresses Are Mostly All That Fits Me So I Had To Figure Out A Way To Shave My Legs While Not Being Able To Bend Over
8 Months Pregnant And Came Out Of The Bank To Find This... (I’m The Blue Car)
Pregnant In A Heat Wave
I Heard “You’re So Big!” And “You’re So Small!” Literally Within The Same Day In Pregnancy And I Was Like Wut
What is it about our baby bumps that makes people think they can give us their UNSOLICITED comments and suggestions?
Here's a tip: Just wish us and our baby good health and safe delivery.
What's the worst unsolicited comment you've heard about your pregnancy?
Very often they're only kind people being a bit clumsy. First one: 'oh, you're 7 months pregnant, but your belly is very discreet'. A week later, (admiring tone) ' wow you're due in October, but your belly is already quite big' (really depends on the clothes I wear). I know my baby is OK, I didn't overweight, I'm in good health and shape, so I really don't mind comments like this as they're first meant to be nice.
Cracking Up At The Hilarious (& Oh So Relatable) Difference Of My Undies From March vs. Today At 37 Weeks
Those blue undies may have inadvertently contributed to you needing the olive ones....good for you!
The Next Person That Asks Me How My Pregnancy Is Going Will Just Be Shown This Picture
Edema in only one leg should be a signal to go to the doctor's quite soon
Technically This Conversation With My Husband Happened Yesterday, But I Swear It Feels Like I Have A Similar One With Him Everyday
I Sent This Series Of Texts To My Hubby Just Now
How Many Breakfasts Have You Had Today? This Is My Third
Nailed It
My Husband And I Took Our 5 Year Old To The Amusement Park For The First Time Today. I'm 9 Months Pregnant, This Was My Favorite Ride
Whyyyyyyy? Going to the amusement park for the first time at the age of 6 will be just as fun.
"Let's Watch Football And Eat Nachos Together All Day!" Not
Pregnant Women Problems
Pickle Juice Popsicles
No, I Am Not Enjoying Contractions. Also, I Had A Baby This Morning
Im Not Saying That She Has Pregnancy Brain... I Mean It’s Also Possible That She Made Chocolate Waffles. Either Way It Smells Like A Delicious Campfire In Our Kitchen
Pregnancy Is Weird
Pregnant Wife Ordered Cheese Fries, This Isn’t Going To End Well
My Friend's Wife Is Pregnant. She Got Cravings For Sweet And Spicy
Preggo Brain At Its Finest. Opened My Front Door This Morning To Find These In It
Pregnancy Struggles
Pregnant Problems
Let's Say I "Hypothetically" Forgot To Take A Pyrex Lid Out Of The Oven Before I Preheat It And It "Hypothetically" Melted
What would be the best way to get the plastic off the hypothetical oven rack? Or would one need to just throw the whole damn oven out? Asking for a friend.
Third Trimester Probz
One Of My Pregnancy Cravings Got The Better Of Me Yesterday. Also Before You Ask, Yes I Went Into A Movie Theater For This, And Only This
The Struggle Is Real
When You’re Pregnant And Craving Sushi
Tried To Crochet My Daughter A Fish. My Pregnant Brain Thought It Was Nice
My Pregnant Wife Asked Me To Get Her Runts, But She Didn't Quite Want All Of Them
She DIDN'T want the banana ones.
Pregnancy Problems
Pregnant Wife Problems
My Wife Is Pregnant And These Type Of Texts Are Not Uncommon
Either A Bear Or My Pregnant Wife Got Into My Protein Bars
Pregnancy Brain Fail!! I Turned On The Slow Cooker With The Roast In It For Supper Tonight. But I Forgot To Plug It In
Good thing I caught it now and not later.
When My Friend Messages Me To Ask How Pregnant Life Is Going
That Moment You Realize You're So Tired You Put Your Pants On Backwards
First Trimester Food Aversions Got Me Texting My Husband Like This Every Day
The whole pregnancy I could only eat frozen food. Everything made me want to puke I swear even bread and applesauce smelt. Oh and I drank like a gallon of milk everyday.
Yummy
My Pregnant Wife Woke Me Up At 3 Am To Run To The Store To Buy These After Seeing Them Online
Pregnancy Is Beautiful
When You Put Laundry Detergent In The Fridge
I Thought Pregnancy Brain Was Fake. It’s Not. To Make Scrambled Eggs This Morning, I Cracked One Egg In A Bowl And The Other On A Plate
Shaving Blind At 9 Months Pregnant
I imagine this is when the ability to do the splits would come in handy
Just A Pregnant Lady Making Smores At 10pm
Might be easier in the microwave instead of an electric oven, but okay.
“Honey I Left Your Dinner In The Microwave” And They Say Pregnancy Brain Isn’t A Thing
Things Pregnant Women Text Their Husbands. I Will Probably Just End Up Having Tea
I Have To Stuff My Nose With Cotton While The Asiago Bagels Bake And Cool Because The Smell Of So Many Asiagos Just About Kills This Preggo Mama
Last time I threw up and this time I could feel myself getting sick again so I did the only thing I could thing of to save myself. It worked!!! I may have to put baking Asiago bagels on hold from here on out until after I've had Solomon. Ironically I've never had such trouble with nausea and smell sensitivity as I'm having now with my first boy. Everyone has always said theirs was worse with girls! Go figure mine is worse with a boy! And I thought I'd get some relief.
Who Forgot Their Shoes After Their Appointment?
Maybe she didn't forget. Maybe she just couldn't pick them up and decided to sacrifice them in the parking lot.
Oops, Popped A Button
The Rings Are Off
My Pregnant Wife Sent Me To The Store At 9:30 Pm Last Night To Get These Items
The Natural Progression Of Life, As Seen In The Bathroom Cabinet Layers
Just A Scene From A Pregnant Ladies Horror Movie
Pregnancy Swelling
This is not good. Fluid retention (oedema) can be very bad in pregnancy and can be early warning sign of pre-eclampsia (toxaemia) which is very bad for both Mum and Bub. First link below tells you how to treat. Second link is for specific symptoms in pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oedema/ https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/swollen-ankles-feet-and-fingers/
We've Officially Entered The Last Trimester And I'm Getting To Big To Do Things Like Shave My Legs Without Having To Take A Nap Afterwards
Pregnancy Cankles. Frantically Drinking Water, But They're Still Swollen. In The Bed To Let Them Chill While Patrick Gets Honey-Do Requests To Finally Start Hanging Photos In The Bedroom
He's a good husband. :) (She says as listening to him complain about literally every frame he's put up and his problems with their hanging back options. lol).
I went through this too, my midwife had me up my protein, let my carbs, and put my feet up as often as possible. It was like magic!
Eating For Two
31 Week Nursery! We Hired A Design Professional But It Was So Worth It
A New Pregnancy Low? Or High?
Night Out At The Duke. Sober Driver
I Have Never Been Sooo Mad. This Person Parked So Close To Me I Had To Climb Across My Passenger Seat. So I Left Them A Nice Little Note
I can't see any white line which means maybe you're the one who parked badly, or equally badly?
What's A Pregnant Girl To Do?
Switch to slip-ons. (I mean, she knows this obvi. It was just the answer to the question.)
The Perils Of Baking With A Pregnant Belly
Food Aversions Have Been Real Lately! I Was Feeling Like Some Chicken Tendies With Every Dipping Sauce. Husby Delivered
H2o = Really Important Ingredient. Our House Is Full Of Smoke! Sadie Has My Back Though - She Said, It's Okay Mommy, Just Stop, Drop & Roll
Baby Is The Size Of A Cantaloupe, And Mom Is Feeling Personally Victimized By Her Fitness Tracker
35 Weeks Pregnant Today, And I've Had To Give Up And Take My Wedding Ring Off Because Of Swelling And It Hurts To Move My Fingers. Joys Of A Summer Baby
So. Delicious. This May Be My Supper As Well
Apple Cinnamon Cake Fail... This Is The Result Of 12x's The Amount Of Baking Powder And Baking Soda!! In All Fairness, It Didn't Taste Half Bad!! It Literally Popped & Deflated
You Know You Have Pregnancy Brain When You Pull The Butter Back Out And Find This! Lol I Don't Even Know How I Am Able To Live Day To Day Anymore
Journaling While Pregnant: A Study In Creative Brevity
My Pregnant Wife Went To Buy Some Milk And Baby Formula
Do They Have Pringles Anonymous Meetings? Asking For Me
Preggo Brain Strikes Again. This Is What Happens When You Forget To Put Eggs In Your Waffle Batter Oopsy. I Swear These Days My Brain Is Mush
Well There’s That
Wait other ppl know Manipulation!?!?! I thought that was just something my fam made up
Had Any Weird Pregnancy Cravings? Nah.. Unless You Think Jalapeno Cheetos Dipped In Peach Milkshake Is Weird
These Are My Keys. I Unlocked My Door With My Arms Full With The Intent Of Coming Back To Get My Keys Out Of The Door Once I Put My Stuff Down
Well 3 hours later after our March is Reading Month kickoff assembly I noticed my keys sticking out of the doorknob! Whoops!
I’m ready for spring break but maybe I can blame pregnancy brain.
31 Weeks With This Big Baby Of Mine
What Happens When You Have A Pregnant Wife At Home, And You Leave Your Phone In Your Car For An Hour
It might be a good time to flee the country, coz she's gonna kill ya!
I'm Still New At This Pregnant Lady Stuff... Turns Out You Can't Leave Your Prenatal Gummies In Your Car
I Got This Coat Because I'm Growing Out Of My Normal Jacket. I've Been Wearing It Too Long For These Tags To Still Be On It
Yeah…. Just absolutely not for me. Which I think is fine in this overpopulated world.
Pregnant women aren't weired. Pregnancy is a weird moment and these things are rather common, even though every woman will have different body reactions (no cravings for me). But the most important is that these 9 months pass very quickly and afterwards you usually don't bother all the little troubles. Feeling your baby moving in your belly, talking to them, preparing to welcome a little person is wonderful and the whole process is worth, if you choose it.
That's a lovely sentiment, but when you're in the middle of losing your GD mind and your body is acting unusual, it's hard, and it is weird. It's okay to make fun of it and whine about it and at the same time be very grateful for it.
Load More Replies...As much as I find some of these funny and somewhat relatable ( I have a 7-month old son) I think these posts do scare future mothers - no, your ancles won't disappear, no, you won't necessarily end up with a 5 size bigger panties (no doctor will say that you have to eat 3 breakfasts) - some women do have a difficult pregnancy, but there are many more who do not have any major difficultly during those months (therefore there aren't any funny posts on look I still wear the same size, I can shave etc.) I just hope ladies you don't take these posts super seriously :)
My absolute biggest fear is being pregnant. Having a kid is one thing, but I am absolutely terrified of being pregnant and giving birth. Thinking of having a kid in a year or two, told my husband that I will not under any circumstances give vaginal birth, that if we can't find a doctor to agree to just let me do a c-section then I will never allow myself to get pregnant. Honestly I am beyond terrified. I have nightmares about it and every time we have a conversation about having a kid I end up crying at the very idea of being pregnant or even worse, vaginal birth. I think it has become a phobia at this point.
Load More Replies...Yeah…. Just absolutely not for me. Which I think is fine in this overpopulated world.
Pregnant women aren't weired. Pregnancy is a weird moment and these things are rather common, even though every woman will have different body reactions (no cravings for me). But the most important is that these 9 months pass very quickly and afterwards you usually don't bother all the little troubles. Feeling your baby moving in your belly, talking to them, preparing to welcome a little person is wonderful and the whole process is worth, if you choose it.
That's a lovely sentiment, but when you're in the middle of losing your GD mind and your body is acting unusual, it's hard, and it is weird. It's okay to make fun of it and whine about it and at the same time be very grateful for it.
Load More Replies...As much as I find some of these funny and somewhat relatable ( I have a 7-month old son) I think these posts do scare future mothers - no, your ancles won't disappear, no, you won't necessarily end up with a 5 size bigger panties (no doctor will say that you have to eat 3 breakfasts) - some women do have a difficult pregnancy, but there are many more who do not have any major difficultly during those months (therefore there aren't any funny posts on look I still wear the same size, I can shave etc.) I just hope ladies you don't take these posts super seriously :)
My absolute biggest fear is being pregnant. Having a kid is one thing, but I am absolutely terrified of being pregnant and giving birth. Thinking of having a kid in a year or two, told my husband that I will not under any circumstances give vaginal birth, that if we can't find a doctor to agree to just let me do a c-section then I will never allow myself to get pregnant. Honestly I am beyond terrified. I have nightmares about it and every time we have a conversation about having a kid I end up crying at the very idea of being pregnant or even worse, vaginal birth. I think it has become a phobia at this point.
Load More Replies...