What I Wish I Knew When I Was Pregnant

There are days that I miss being pregnant.  I know some of you may think that’s crazy.  But for my first time pregnant beauties out there, I did a round-up of what I wish I knew when I was pregnant. 

What I Wish I Knew When I Was Pregnant (the first time)

• Enjoy eating while you can.  Food while pregnant tastes SO delicious.  So enjoy it!  After baby food doesn’t taste half as good, and half the time you forget to eat anyways.  So stuff your face while you still can! 
• Let people fawn over you.  It may get irritating when people are constantly opening doors and forbidding you from lifting heavy things, but let it happen.  As soon as that baby’s out the niceties go to the wayside for the most part.  I can’t count how many times people have let a door slam in my face while I’m trying to juggle a diaper bag and a baby in a car seat.  But goodness forbid I had to open my own door when I just had my big belly to carry around! 
• Get ALL THE SLEEP.  Seriously.  Take naps.  Sleep for 12 hours straight.  JUST SLEEP.  It’s something you’ll be missing once that sweet baby’s here. 
• While we’re talking about it, take a lot of showers too.  You’ll also be missing those.  
• Squeeze in as much date time with your husband/significant other as you can.  Go on day dates, have movie nights in, try new restaurants.  Enjoy it being just the two of you for the little time you have left.  I promise it will help when you’re both trying to adjust to being parents.  Especially when he’s sleeping through the baby’s cries and you just want to punch him in the face.
• You’ll miss it.  As much as you can’t wait for your little bundle to be here, I promise you’ll miss being pregnant.  Carrying a baby is the most amazing thing our bodies are capable of.  Watching his or her little movements, feeling kicks, and even the occasional bout of hiccups is something to be marveled at.  Your body is carrying, supporting, and protecting another life.  So relish it.  Take time to watch your sweet babe move in your belly.  Have maternity photos taken.  Be in awe of what you are capable of! 

My favorite book for both pregnancies, and the book I buy for all my friends who are expecting is What to Expect When You’re Expecting.  I am a habitual Googler, which means I am frequently freaking myself out with symptom searches etc.  Having this book on hand kept my mind at ease with both children as it gave me realistic expectations for before, during, and after pregnancy. 

What to Expect When You’re Expecting is now on it’s 5th edition, with up-to-date information and advice.  It even has information on the Zika virus.  There are two very strong reasons why I enjoy this book so much, and refer everyone I meet to read it.  One is their focus on healthy eating and fitness while being pregnant.  Not only does the book list foods you are not allowed to eat while expecting, but it also covers healthy options for you and baby.  There’s also a whole portion dedicated to safe pregnancy exercises.  I love their focus on a healthy pregnancy! 

I’m also a big advocate of their postpartum section.  I don’t think women realize what happens postpartum, and this book lays it out in detail while somehow managing not to be frightening.  The hardest part for me was the hormone fluctuation, and it really helped to prepare for this ahead of time thanks to the recommendations from What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

 I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.