It is boy season!! I know of almost 5 preggos who are having boys this time around. But today I want to focus on congratulating two beautiful ladies: Taylor and Caitlin . Both of these glowing mamas are having boys!! Congratulations ladies!! Pregnancy can be a wonderful and life-defining period for most mamas, but that is the only side of pregnancy we often show and discuss. What about the stuff that no one really talks about or takes photos of? So I thought of sharing 5 realities that I have personally experienced that no one really likes talking about out in the open.
1. Pregnancy is Hard
There is an urge to talk about all the wonderful things about pregnancy, about the power of carrying a growing baby for 9 months and what a magical experience it is. Ask any pregnant woman, people have this need to remind them of the beauties pregnancy stands for. And don’t get me wrong, they are all true for the most part. But why do we shy away from talking about how hard it can also be? We cannot sleep comfortably anymore, we need to pee often, morning sickness takes over, our feet just went up a size (especially in the third trimester), we suffer from mom-nesia, and oh boy acne and stretch-marks….well you get the point. Now not all of these symptoms are experienced together in one pregnancy or by all women. We all experience pregnancy different, for some it can really be a smooth pregnancy while others a disaster and most fall in between. Just as experiences are different, each pregnancy is also different. You can have a very smooth pregnancy once and then a really difficult one next. The important thing to know is that not all women feel as beautiful and glamorous during these 9 precious months, contrary to what social media portrays.
2. Do Not Eat for Two
We all fall into this trap every now and then. We think we can justify our extreme food cravings or appetite. Pregnancy does not give you a license to eat whatever you want uncontrollably. It is so important to keep your portions and snacks in check and continue to stick to your healthy routine. This will help you maintain your weight and have less to fat to burn post-baby. Often husbands are guilty of encouraging us women to eat more and sometimes over-loving moms who cook up a storm for us to eat. And that is quite a dilemma they put us in, to eat or not to eat is the question!! I am a big time foodie and I get influenced by my peers when they go on one-too-many cheat days. Discipline is key and it is so difficult when you literally have a ticket called “PREGGO” that can really help getting caught up with eating for two. No! No! No! This is not necessary. In fact, if you actually listen to your body sometimes it is not up to eating an entire meal because your stomach is now being pressured by all the other organs trying to make room for a growing baby. It is always better to eat often but in smaller portions, that is a much healthier option.
3. Accepting Your Post-Baby Body
Weight gain and weight loss is affected by so many factors: genetics, level of activity, diet, etc. For some (like myself) who are susceptible to gain weight if I break my routine for even just a couple of days. Whereas my best-friend can eat a cow and look like a barbie!! No joke! So pregnancy was no exception, I gained much weight and was not happy with my post-baby body. But I was mentally prepared to give myself some time to just enjoy motherhood for the first few months before I started my health routine. I worked my butt off to lose weight, it did not “fall off” the way some doctors say. That is not entirely true for many women. You will not “naturally” just lose your baby weight just because you are breastfeeding or walking daily. You need to do MORE than that!! Gradually, you can definitely achieve your weight loss goals. I find that most women agree when they say your body is never the same after birth, and I find that to be true for myself. In time, I have grown happy in my own skin again and gracefully accepted all the differences.
4. Post-Delivery Emotional Roller Coaster
Post-delivery is tough on everyone. Whether you are experiencing the baby blues, postpartum depression, lack of bonding or simply over-exhaustion and over-whelmed, we all experience some degree of an emotional episode. Rightfully so, you just squirted another human being out of you!! That is definitely not an easy task, you completed a successful mission!! Having help is so important especially from loved ones, family and friends. You need to be surrounded by people you are comfortable with and that make you feel at ease. So it is important for your husband to take control of your surroundings for at least the first few weeks when you are already dealing with so much emotionally. When we brought Surah home for the first time, as soon as I walked through my door and saw my mom and sister decorate my house full of fresh flowers, balloons, presents, freshly baked goodies I just broke down in tears. My sister was recording the entire moment and every time I watch that video I still remember I had so many reasons to just break down and cry, I was so sensitive and delicate. So being surrounded by my loved ones uplifted my spirit.
5. Constipation!! Gas!! Hemorrhoids!!
Now here is the real deal! Who posts about constipation, gas or hemorrhoids on social media? HA! Of course no one will post a selfie and be like “well you don’t know this but I am constipated and still trying to pose like I am hot af!” (Hehe). But I am here to tell you, these things are REAL!! Ask any mama, they know the horrors of them. Most don’t share the details of course but you will experience these 100%. There is no escape unfortunately.
So those are just 5 realities that I personally experienced as I am sure many of you can relate. Although we all have different bodies and different experiences with each pregnancy, we all can relate to the dominant theme here “Pregnancy can be very hard on us!!”. Now back to my preggo friends Taylor & Caitlin, I hope I didn’t scare you Taylor since it is your first time. I wish you both a very healthy, smooth and happy pregnancy. Follow their journeys on Instagram by just clicking on their names.
To celebrate we have partnered with Babyganics to give you all a chance at winning these Registry Favs by Babyganics. Be sure to check my Instagram ( @blushbassinet ) tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PST (February 7th 2017) for details on how to enter! All the best.
