Do you actually enjoy being pregnant?

[BadLad]

This question has been on my mind after reading the "Am I being unreasonable to want to be paid for being a surrogate mother" thread. In that thread the original poster said

I want to do it because I love being pregnant, and I love that i am able to help people who are not able to have a baby the traditional way.

The first part of that astounded me. I had always assumed that pregnancy actually felt like a chore, and was tiring and generally made life difficult.

Does it not? Is it actually an enjoyable experience?

We don't have any children, so I can't ask DW.

[Haylebop12]

Aw that's fantastic!! Been rather ill with HG, been in hospital 4 times but been out now two weeks so hopefully it's in it's way out!
Everything good so far!!

[Phineyj]

I quite liked it but once was enough! I did get a bit fed up of feeling like I was 'public property' as I am a teacher and the girls asked endless questions. I also got fed up of all the rules about cheese and not being able to sit comfily on the sofa. Weirdly, I really liked the mat. clothes -- there was a really good choice online and some were quite flattering. However, I felt like a barrage balloon in the swimming pool.

[Librarina]

I feel bad everytime I say this, but I've breezed through pregnancy so far (30 weeks) and love it. I wasn't sick in the first Tri, only queasy. I wasn't exhausted ever, just tired and happy to go to bed early. Work have been ultra supportive and I'm flooded with hormones that make my normally stroppy self all placid and full of love. I even like my alien bump now I'm used to the kicking and writhing (which felt very odd at first). Colleagues keep telling me I'm blooming, old ladies complement me on the shape of my bump and DH loves the mega-boobs so I feel a body confidence which I've never had before in my life.

I'm sorry! I'm not smug I promise. We had a long journey getting here, and I'm fearful of labour and birthing my baby. I don't know if I'll ever get to do it again... But this pregnancy, much to my surprise and joy, I really like.

[Angelico]

Actually I think it's nice when I hear people enjoying it. I'm just not one of them :o

The one and only thing I enjoyed was the bit I thought would freak me out - feeling the bean move. I felt quite sad the night before CS knowing she would never be part of me the same way again. So I guess it's best to try and enjoy the occasional moments where you can :)

[Thinkingof4]

Ive found each pregnancy different so far. First 2 I didn't really enjoy, v sick, got huge with ds2 and felt v uncomfy. Ds3 was a bit better though I was really sick first trimester,but I thought it would be my last so I decided to try and enjoy it.
Now 26 weeks with dc4 and it's been my best pregnancy so far! I think partly because I'm so busy with the 3 boys, work etc that I don't really think too much about being pregnant. Also wasn't sick much at all this time which I was amazed about ( maybe it's a girl this time?)

I'm just keeping my fx that third trimester is as good as the first 2! I'm definitely in the 'blooming' blissed out stage at the moment, I just feel so lucky to be having this baby (definitely our last this time)

[Bumperlicious]

God no, I loathed it both times.

[Shellywelly1973]

I love being pregnant! 6 times now but sadly has a mmc with my last pregnancy.

Ive had ms with all pregnancies. SPD with 2of the pregnancies & Carpel Tunnel Syndrome with 1.

I have always loved the growing curves...skinny size8 normally. I always have felt sad when the babies were born & i deflated like a saggy old balloon!

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

I HATE IT. I am pregnant at the moment and feel constantly nauseous and exhausted and I HATE everyone staring at my stomach and asking me how I am all the time. I also HATED it the other two times I've done it.

The movements are quite sweet until they become uncomfortable, but other than that everything about it is awful. The end result is lovely though (most of the time).

[TolliverGroat]

I like being pregnant. I'd prefer it without the nausea or heartburn, but on balance I'm still very positive about the whole thing.

Not doing it again, though.

[honeymoonmum]

I would say no. Who likes feeling like crap, looking fat and people assuming they can comment on if you look big or small for how far gone you are?! I will never forget a woman saying to me wow you are huge for 25 weeks! Nice! Of course I realise I am very lucky to be pregnant , euroshaggleton I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

I feel like a house, and I still have 10wks to go! Once I'd got past the morning all day sickness at about 18 weeks, I had about 3 clear weeks before the heartburn and acid reflux started. Ugh.
I'm still waiting for my bloom.

[Frecklesandspecs]

If human pregnancy could be 4 months shorter that would be great !

[cupcake78]

I hate it for the simple fact I get everything from HG to spd to thrush, piles, varicose veins, acne, heartburn, sore big painful boobs. My diet is a haywire and I'm unable to do any exercise due to spd which makes me feel like a blob.

I feel like I'm constantly being touched and just want space which is impossible when your body is occupied 24hrs a day. I get very irritable and at the moment I can't stand to be touched. I get sick of dh trying to feel bump and ds constantly wanting cuddles or being next to me.

Im 27 wks and can't wait for it to be over! I'd love to enjoy it but I don't.

[Caladria]

I hit 39 weeks on Sunday and to my astonishment have loved being pregnant. I was convinced I'd find it icky and hard work and it's been bliss. Weird. Walks off, shaking her head and hoping she didn't come across as too smug.

[PickledInAPearTree]

No - PILES. Blooming a bit too bloody much.

[MammaCici]

Morning sickness like the worst hangover ever that last 5 months...
Headaches
Backaches
Shortness of breath
Weight gain
Stuffy nose
Exhaustion and insomnia
Midnight trips to the loo
Feeling like there are lead weights on every limb
Worrying about baby
Worrying about labour

What's not to like? lol

I'm expecting DC2. I know the payoff is worth it. But no, I don't enjoy the physical woes of pregnancy. But I do love feeling the baby inside me. In that sense I love being pregnant. I'm entering the last month and I will be very glad to hold baby in my arms rather than my tummy!

[Beatrixpotty]

Mixed..done it 3 times now,loved the excitement of expecting another baby and feeling them kick,but found the last 5-6 weeks quite tiring especially with other DCs to look after and felt like I was cutting corners as a mum because I was too tired to do everything I wanted to do with them.Loved having an excuse to buy more maternity clothes but bored by the end especially when they didn't fit so well.Loved the attention & everyone asking how I was!Also got a bit scared at the end that it could all go horribly wrong.3 weeks on I'm still slightly miss being pregnant though ,maybe that's why I'm still hanging around the pregnancy threads..

[CitizenOscar]

Love the first week after finding out.

Hate the rest of the first trimester. Am currently expecting DC2 and during first 12 weeks I was so pleased I'd never have to do this again.

Quite like the 2nd trimester. Feeling baby move & excited about the future.

Can't remember how I felt last time about the 3rd trimester. Guess I'll find out soon enough!

[Cies]

I loved it both times. But would never be a surrogate because I would want to keep the baby.

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

I've loved it.
The first 12 weeks were pretty nerve wracking (2 previous early MCs) and felt slightly grim until 14 weeks.
However, I feel as though I've breezed through, have had no major complaints. In fact I'm now 39+4 and feel as though I should still be at work as I feel physically fine.

Negative points: a few aches and pains if I've been walking a bit, but nowt too much, swollen fingers and bursting in to tears at the smallest thing!

Positives: feeling DS merrily bouncing around :) shiny hair, clear skin, DH cleaning the litter tray ;) DH running around after me, feeling proud of my appearance for the first time in a long while! Giving in to cravings..... Mmmmm ice cream! Bigger boobs,

I'm in for a horrendous labour aren't I?

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

My pregnancy can be summed up by trimester:
1st: head down toilet, felt like crap
2nd: felt well, got told I was 'blooming'
3rd: ouch, baby keeps poking me in the cervix, everything hurts, can't sleep! And heart burn, heart burn, heart burn...
Only 5 weeks left to go!
Am I happy to be pregnant? Gosh yes. We tried for a long time. Will I rush into trying for DC2? Er, no. I recall at about 22 weeks DH said he couldn't wait to meet the baby and just wanted to skip the next step. I replied that I was enjoying the journey week by week. I would happily
go into early labour now!

I think it's very admirable for people to be surrogates but I don't think I could do it myself. I can't imagine going through the process of growing a person only to hand it over, especially with 'straight' surrogacy using your own eggs!

[nannyl]

on my second HG pregnancy now and i can say i HATE being pregnant

i do quite like feeling baby move in my though, but thats about it.

Having vomited well over 1000 times due to pregnancy i have no desire to ever put myself or my family through the living hell it is for me / us ever again.

I always wanted 4 children, and could see myself with 4, but for now i think 2 will be plenty

[Fishandjam]

I am rubbish at being pregnant (2 full term). Sick, utterly and debilitatingly exhausted, heartburn, backache, and then I get cholestasis/liver failure right at the end. Oddly, I don't mind the birth bit at all (induced both times - mobile epidurals totally rock, by the way). And - though it will out me as a needy Munchausen-ish bint - I quite liked all the attention from various medics. (Yes, I know.... pathetic.)

I'd quite like DC3 and if someone were to say to me "ok, tomorrow you'll be 37 weeks and going for induced labour" I'd say no worries, bring it on. But I absolutely cannot face the 8.5 months of misery beforehand.