What parts of this pregnancy lark have come as a shock to you?

[TheScenicRoute]

Hello,

Well I can definitely be accused of romanticising the idea of being pregnant before I got here, but one or two things have come as a shock (and I'm only 8+4 so I'm sure there's more to come!!!)

Here's my three....

The exhaustion! The EXTREME exhaustion, the fact that I'll go to the lengths of secretly locking myself in the grubby work shower room at lunch time with a blanket on the floor and a pillow to shoe horn an extra 1/2 hours sleep into the middle of my day! I wouldn't cope working full time if I didn't do this!

The soles of my feet are on fire! I'm one of life's 'cold' people, my feet are NEVER hot, this is so weird and a little uncomfortable.

Finally, the romanticised idea that when I got pregnant the baby would be mine and my partners. But oh no! What I didn't anticipate was that EVERYBODY would have a stake in these (twins) babies, and everyone has an opinion. It's made me dread the announcement at 12 weeks because then there'll be even more opinions.

So what were your shock factors?

My boobs started leaking at 14weeks. Thought I would have been further on than that when it started.

Crying at everything remotely sad.

Walking being so hard - like things are falling out! That cycling would be my salvation.

My first was a loooooooong time ago but cervical mucus - bloody hell fire - who invented that??

The fact that I'd become so boringly obsessed with baby stuff.
The fact that I'd hate my body, not because of what it looks like, but because of its physical limitations.

The fact that I had period pain for 6 months.
The constipation. No one had ever told me that side effect. It's been my most lingering issue, I hate it.

Mine would be that I haven't yet 'felt' pregnant. I'm 11w and so far have had massive boobs (since day one), exhaustion, constipation and bloating but these are all quite generic symptoms and not ones that would instantly make you say, yep sounds like your pregnant! It's all so strange! Not at all like I expected it to be.

By the way scenicroute your shower idea is amazing! Pure genius, I think I will suss out my work shower room for its napping capabilities!

The fact you get to a certain stage and suddenly every position becomes uncomfortable. Standing, sitting, lying down are all pretty painful these days.

I didn't know that I would still be 'fat' after the birth. On TV people just look exactly like they did before...

I had packed ordinary jeans to go home in! Disaster.

Ear wax. So much ear wax.

Not being able to sleep on my front. Not really surprising I guess, but it means more to me than I knew.

Bloody all of it here hot and tired with breech baby at 36+2 weeks

The smell on my staircase making me want to vom every single day. Never noticed it before.

Trying really really hard to do things but it making no difference. Ie walking fast.
I used to try so hard to speed up putting in so much effort only to realise i was going the same speed. (Obv towards the end of pg)

That there comes a point where nothing is comfortable.

The frustration when you stop being able to do things yourself. Who knew how important it is to feel like you can get out of the bath on your own.

Diarrhea - I had no idea it was a common symptom.

Inability to cope with loud noises, especially loud bass sounds, they make me throw up now so no more concerts.

Reading up on childbirth and finding out that the tv and films have totally lied to me about what to expect.

The heartburn. Utterly hideous.

Yep, the first trimester tiredness! I'd have a 2.5 hour midday nap unless I was working an early shift. I've never fallen asleep so easily in my life, it was quite nice!

The after pain of childbirth (not strictly pregnancy but it is related) For some reason all I was thinking about was how painful the actual birth would be. It didn't occur to me that after the birth it would be sore. For at least a week. Ughhh!

Burmama my staircase does the same!! DH thinks I've lost it but I was sick last night because I caught a whiff....ugh!

Definitely the sheer exhaustion in the first trimester and a bit beyond. Being someone really physically active who normally only needs 7.5 hours sleep and couldn't nap or sleep in, I went from that to someone who only wanted to sleep and could sleep for 17 hours at a time. I couldn't even stay awake to watch a TV programme or read a book, and getting of the sofa was impossible if it wasn't essential - like to visit the bathroom, go to work, get food/drink. Garden turned into a jungle. House was disgusting! It was soooo soooo hard to get through a day at work.

Suddenly hating my favourite things like a cup of tea or coffee and vegetables and tasty food. All I could eat was salty crisps and plain chicken sandwiches in the first trimester.

Later in pregnancy, probably around 26 weeks, discovering that I've forgotten what it's like to feel cold. I was previously always moaning about being cold. Now, I am constantly hot. Even when it isn't hot. And as someone who previously loved to be hot, I am struggling and doing everything possible to keep cool.

I'm 32 weeks and my favourite thing to do at the moment, is to lie on my bed, with the fan on, browsing rubbish on the internet. I could literally do this all day. Pre-prgnanacy, I'd constantly be on the go. I've learnt to enjoy lazing and being slow and accept that I can't do the things I used to do and that the house is just going to have to be a bit messy until I find a cleaner/gardener, as I can't be scrubbing the bath/shower, or weeding the garden, it's just too uncomfortable.

Forgot to mention, thought I'd find it easy to shop for and find lovely maternity clothes for all occasions. Lack of suitable clothing that is comfy, doesn't make me look stupid, and is suitable for work, has cause me tears. I know there are clothes out there - I just haven't found it easy to find them, especially when I didn't want to spend £60+ on any item as I'd only be wearing it for a short time.

Lol MrsCK nice to know I'm not alone on the staircase. Holding nose going down it these days, DH very confused

That relentless, severe, all day and night, for months nausea is really debilitating - and a bit depressing - but which receives zero sympathy as you are not actually "being sick" even though when you do, it's a relief.

That every pregnancy is so different.

The worry over bloody food and what you can eat is a contradictory minefield meaning unhealthy crap seems like a good option.

How horribly painful & fat my feet & ankles are, trapped nerve pain, acne, hating smells, being really sad a lot of the time

Oh I've just thought of another. I cannot tolerate any form of hot drink. Why? Where is the rationale for this little curve ball please? It makes no sense! Actually I have completely gone off drinking full stop, all drinks make me feels so meh, but it's full on summer and I'm thirsty. Just can't stand the sloshing around feeling in my stomach, but hot drinks are a definite no go area.

Physical: Carpal tunnel. I can't believe it's the pain in my hands that wakes me up at night, not the baby!

Emotional: How much I'd love the bump and how protective I'd feel in the last trimester.