What People Don’t Tell You about Being Pregnant

I don’t think I will ever forget the night that simple little test told us the news we had been waiting and praying for.

The feeling is amazing, indescribable in many ways actually. I’ve personally found this whole pregnancy journey to be extremely rewarding.

The first few months are tricky if you’re trying to keep it a secret. My husband and I consider ourselves to be very outgoing, social people so our friends picked up relatively quickly when we weren’t engaging in the typical weekend festivities as easily.

One thing is for sure, when people do find out, the advice starts coming and the daily questions asking how you are feeling begin.

(Ironically the worst I felt was when people didn’t know… and people weren’t asking.)

It’s a time when apparently it is appropriate to start commenting on how big or small you are. And people feel they can touch your stomach whenever they want; your personal bubble somehow magically disappears.

You get advice on how to handle doctors, what foods to eat, how others felt during their pregnancy, and horror stories either from their own experience or something they’ve heard (I still don’t understand why people focus on this one).

You get comments on how your life changes, why you need to enjoy your time now before the baby takes over, and that you need to save every last penny because babies are expensive.

What’s been most interesting to me though, is what people don’t tell you. I’ve found it extra interesting because these are some of the things that I’ve found to be the most heartwarming.

People don’t tell you that when you feel your baby kick for the first time, it’s amazing. But perhaps more amazing is the feeling you get when your significant other gets to feel it. I already can’t tell you the first time I felt little man kick, but I will never forget the first time he kicked and Cor could feel it.

People don’t tell you that when you hear the heartbeat of your little one for the first time everything changes. Your mind gets calm and your heart fills with a new kind of love.

People don’t tell you that the sleepless nights really aren’t that frustrating. This little guy thinks bed time is “go” time. When I’m ready to lay down to go to bed, it’s his time to kick. I’ve always heard people complain about their lack of sleep because of moments like this. Honestly that feeling is amazing.

Those moments I lay in bed with a smile on my face, feeling his kicks, and I use that time to pray with him.

People don’t tell you that your desire to take care of yourself grows immediately because you know you need to be your best self for your little one. This ties not only to the foods you eat and your physical condition, but also to your emotional health.

When people ask me how I’m feeling and I respond with ”amazing” I often get a “knock on wood” response or “just wait.”

Why is that?

Are there days I am tired?

Of course.

Are there times I feel nauseous?

Absolutely.

But honesty, I have never felt more grounded, inspired and excited than I do in this experience.

I’m not saying this process is a breeze, and I realize everyone’s experience is different, but I am saying there is beauty in it.

So to all my fellow momma’s to be, whether currently in the process or working toward it in the future, do what you can to frame your mindset in the joys of the process. The incredible miracle that is taking place inside of you.

It is truly a gift from God. Treat it that way.