What's the best thing about being pregnant?

[cara2244]

Remind me please as I am a little blue!
21 weeks, so ages to go. Hip pain, very heavy, worried about how we'll cope financially etc...

Feeling those kicks, it makes it all so real and makes me imagine what she will look like and what her personality will be like. I love every kick and squirm and squiggle.

Knowing that in a few short months you can grow something inside you that you will love like nothing else you have ever encountered. That you can produce such a unique, wonderful, breathtaking thing as a perfect baby is something really special.

But you have my permission to be thoroughly overwhelmed by the constipation/piles/backache/heartburn/sickness/insomnia/bladder urgency/strange dreams/sciatica/SPD/anxiety/stretchmarks/shortness of breath/fatigue/'helpful' comments etc.

Cake. Lots of!

You get a real live amazing beautiful baby at the end of it, who you grew in your very own tummy! Words cannot describe just how incredible it is. You can spend hours and hours just gazing at your baby and never tire of it. It really is the best thing ever!

all the other stuff is shit though, so in the meantime I second Bernard's (good name btw) vote for CAKE. I got a really sweet tooth practiaclly the first day of the third trimester and made it my business to eat cake ever day from then on. It really helped.

The helpfulness of strangers. Suddenly men of a certain age become more courteous and helpful. It is very sweet and random acts of kindness always makes me smile. Unfortunately your bump needs to be pretty obvious before this starts to happen.

I also like being able to go swimming without being body conscious as "I'm pregnant not fat!"

Being able to blame any slip up at work on preg-head! (And cake!) :)

Am only 14 weeks along

so far my only good point is free dentist and prescriptions.

Oh and seeing baby on scan was just magic, actually that bit was amazing
think having a baby is the best part (although maybe not the birth part, perhaps the cuddles afterwards? havent done that bit yet!)

Toss up between not having to suck your tummy in, poke it out and be proud, you are growing a real whole person! / impending maternity leave (maybe thats just me)

As I discovered on Sunday: Having a clear head the 'morning after' while everyone else is suffering BADLY!!

As niamh29 said, the kicks and squirms. Especialy the unexpected ones in the supermarket queue etc, Its like babys reminding you that its there and its so so so special, like a private joke
Oh, and sending DP down the shop because baby wants a flake and some biscuits

watching my baby do a somersault in my stomach and shopping for baby things!

The baby!

kicks & cake. And as I said to my stepmum yesterday after I had a big aches & pains moan, "thank f**k for biscuits"!

No hangovers! And hopefully, based on awareness of how nice that is, re-education for the future as to sensible drinking!

And, I hope, the baby, though as it's my first time that has to be taken on trust...

Aw lovely posts, they have made me laugh and smile!!

Feralgirl, the last time I was properly drunk was three years ago because of pregnancy, breastfeeding, another pregnancy. It is nice!!

I think its got to be the thought we will have a baby at the end of it and the kindness of strangers!
I lady in the chip shop who have me a cold drink and called my DH when I fainted just outside the shop, the man in Adsa who helped me get my shopping in the back of the car when it was raining and all the fab staff I have meet in the hospital.

Choosing names that will last forever

Knitting baby clothes that one day she'll be wearing

Planning our song (just for her and I)

Collecting news cuttings about what was happening when I was pregnant with her so she can look back one day

Getting little cardigans in the post from Great Aunties you didn't know were still alive (maybe just me...)

Being able to join Mumsnet long after I thought I never would

going straight in the shower after work, spending too much time in there just letting the water trickle over your growing bump and wondering how much bigger it is going to get.

then crawling into bed waaay to early(say 6.30),and staying there ALL night except for toilet breaks/biscuits etc and just wondering what exactly your baby will look like,how much life is going to change(for the better),and feeling it move/kick etc.

and also buying baby things, setting nursery up etc.

just overall lovely feeling with some very physical side effects like sleepless nights, sore hips, vomiting, and general discomfort when attempting most things...

The whites of your eyes looking extra sparkly white because of the 'lifestyle' changes, including the extra sleep. I was astounded when I noticed how clear they looked.

Maternity trousers. All trousers should be that comfy.

DH fetching all manner of food for me on demand, particularly cheese and pickle sandwiches. Am clearly not as maternal as everyone else here!

Leaving all the washing up and toy cars all over the floor and just going to bed now.

erm.......our washing up isn't actually on the floor....

...must sleep...

Eating like a Hobbit (Breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, supper...)