Tell INNOVO™ what no one warned you about pregnancy & childbirth. Win £300 Voucher. NOW CLOSED

[RebeccaEMumsnet]

In order to celebrate the launch of their alternative solution to pelvic floor strengthening – Innovotherapy – INNOVO™ want to hear the effects of pregnancy on your body that took you by surprise as nobody warned you about them.

Here’s what INNOVO™ have to say: '"Motherhood can be such a blessing and change your life in ways you never imagined, however it is filled with many shocks and surprises. Some good and some not so welcome, such as a those ‘little accidents’ that we all try and hide.
Unfortunately a weak pelvic floor and the resulting incontinence is often part and parcel of pregnancy however it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Innovotherapy is a non-invasive way to restore your pelvic floor, treating the primary cause of urinary leaks rather than just masking the symptoms. Using a hand held controller that is attached to a two part garment, Innovotherapy sends targeted impulses via conductive pads (attached to your upper thigh and buttocks) to safely and effectively activate the muscles of the pelvic floor. It is a proven technology which has been designed to optimally strengthen your pelvic floor allowing you to return to return the more important things in life, such as your little ones.”

You can read more about the product and advice on pelvic floor strengthening here.

So, what unexpected effects did pregnancy and giving birth have on your body? Did anyone tell you to expect urinary leaks after having a baby? Did you consider the importance of toning your pelvic floor? Were you surprised by any other physical effects that nobody warned you about?

INNOVO™ would also love to know about any unexpected positive effects of pregnancy and giving birth. Does parenthood make you feel like you can take on the world? Do you now feel like you are more focused on what matters most?

Whatever the unexpected effects of pregnancy and childbirth were for you, post your story below. Everyone who adds a comment will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Well I was very young when I had my daughter so I wasn't expecting to blow up like a balloon my legs ankles and feet just morphed into one big blob and the backache was the worst I suddenly became allergic to everything and developed eczema no nobody tells you this can happen or that I could be in slow labour but the hospital won't take you in until your in the full swing of labour (two weeks later 😢😭) Or that it's more than just a sting when the baby's head passes through and that when you take a bath after having stitches it hurts 😭😭 but my baby was worth all of that pain and yes I would do it again

The insomnia for me. Combining this with the nesting in the latter part of my pregnancy had me cleaning the oven and scrubbing the shower at 3am - not nice (but worth every minute).

My boobs feeling like they were going to explode and if anyone came near or brushed against them, the pain was unbearable. After carrying twins I have really bad varicose veins and swollen ankles. My teeth are just awful and as for my pelvic floor well I am still doing exercises to improve them 7 years on.

That my skin would not "glow" but be spottier than when I was 14!

the fact that mostly the birth plan goes right out the window, that it could go on for hour and hours and I was never told how much I would fall completely head over heels for my baby.

I found out everything beforehand, so there were no surprises, except for the man with the huge knife when things didn't go to plan

The killer migraines!

No one told me that you can prolapse after giving birth, It is one of the scariest experiences I have ever had, There are no guides on it supplied for new mummies, not even hand outs in the bumper packs you receive just to even warn you that its a 'thing' - yet its apparently quite common and most women don't even know they have had one as many have them internally.

I think more information should be supplied, and I am so grateful for forums such as these to open up the discourse surrounding the topic, I felt very alone until I spoke to people here.

The awful piles during pregnancy and after childbirth. I'd rather give birth than suffer them again any day, so so painful. My kids are worth it!!

How bad constipation can be. Never having had it, I hadn't a clue. I really wish the midwives had warned me properly (effects of iron tablets) so I could have taken more drastic measures earlier!

No-one warned me that labour pains could be in your back - I was expecting them to be in my tummy and couldn't believe it when I was moaning to my sister about having terrible back pains and she told me I was in labour. My son was born a few hours later - I'm so glad I dropped in on her for a good moan that day or I would probably have ended up giving birth in the car!

That it would take 24 hours!

I was'nt told just how short the actual 'Baby' years are and how long the 'Teenagers' years are that follow!!!! ha ha!

That strangers would think it's okay to touch your bump! That came as a horrible shock to me. Also the fact that I would never be able to have a lie in again - even if the kids aren't there now, I am still listening out for them...

I had no idea about the horrible jelly belly you get left with that is still huge! A week after I'd given birth someone asked me when it was due! Thankfully it disappeared fairly soon!

Random hair growth!!!
And diabetes in pregnancy, ruined pelvic floor and tummy muscles

Women have it tough!

Lack of sleep!

No one told me to cut my nails so I ended up with deep scars were I clawed myself during labour.

That you develop a sense of smell to rival a Bloodhound

The lack of sleep if you are very unlucky to have a poorly sleeping baby, the amount of time & extra logistics it takes to do something simple like just going to the shops. The presence of mind that occurs when you realise how bad the outside world can be and that you want to protect your child!

Pre natal your weight, weeing habits etc are up for free comment and discussion with all, and your bump is available for complete strangers to touch and comment, my lush pregnancy hair falling out and the new shape of my tummy, and stretch marks post natal. However having 3 DC's none of the above appears to have put me off.

Just how knackered I would feel for quite a long time!! ( worth it though!!)

how bad morning sickness could be

Child's illnesses at such a young age. In 1992 our daughter got whooping cough at 6 months old even though she had been vaccinated. My wife and had to sleep downstairs for a few months until she well. Lost count of the number of times that she was sick during the night and the number of towels that she filled. The thing that I remember most is the awful smell when she vomited.

The emotions after giving birth...