By: Ava Johnson
Updated: Aug. 22, 2023
Originally Published: Jan. 7, 2023
From a young age, my mother shared her enthusiastic tales of pregnancy, painting a picture of bliss that completely glossed over the reality of nausea, constipation, and unexpected hair growth. She claimed it was the happiest time of her life—perhaps she forgot, or maybe she was just eager for grandchildren and wanted to encourage me. Whatever the case, my own expectations were quite different before I embarked on the journey of pregnancy. Here’s a glimpse into the thoughts I had prior to conceiving:
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Life Changes After Birth
I believed that my life would be turned upside down only after the baby arrived. Instead, the moment the embryo implanted itself in my uterus, everything changed. Suddenly, I found myself panicking over every little detail. I remember sobbing over the realization that my face cream contained salicylic acid—“He’s not even born yet, and I’m messing him up!” I exclaimed. -
Driving Would Be Fine
I thought I could continue driving without issue. However, I soon discovered that the car seat position made me feel faint. My doctor was skeptical, so I often had to pull over and call my partner to let him know my location in case I lost consciousness. -
Shared Fascination
I assumed my partner would be as intrigued by the pregnancy as I was. Unfortunately, his reaction was quite the opposite. While some partners revel in the experience, mine was often visibly uncomfortable when I asked him to feel the baby kick. -
Normal Heartbeat
I expected my heart to beat as usual, but pregnancy hormones caused my heart to race and skip beats, leading to several emergency room visits during my first trimester. In the end, I wore a heart monitor for a month, only to be cleared as healthy—what fun! -
Loving the Spotlight
Initially, I enjoyed the attention that came with pregnancy, but as my belly grew, unsolicited opinions flooded in about my size, my baby’s growth, and everything in between. I quickly became overwhelmed and wished for some privacy. -
Hemorrhoids Are for the Elderly
I naively thought that hemorrhoids were an issue only older individuals faced. I was wrong. -
Experiencing True Fear
I believed I had faced real fear before, but waiting five days for the results of my amniocentesis was a gut-wrenching experience that eclipsed anything I had previously encountered. -
Cravings Galore
I thought I would indulge in all my food cravings. But instead, I often found myself wandering grocery store aisles in tears, unable to find anything I could eat without feeling nauseous. -
Exercising Like Before
Countless books assured me I could maintain my exercise routine. However, between the fatigue, dizziness, and heart palpitations, the last thing I wanted to do was work out. -
Constipation is Minor
I underestimated the impact of constipation, thinking it was a trivial issue. It turns out that maintaining regularity is crucial during pregnancy.
These reflections reveal just how misguided my expectations were before experiencing pregnancy firsthand. Despite the challenges, the end results made it all worthwhile, and I would consider going through it again for the joy these little ones bring—maybe.
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Summary:
Navigating the misconceptions of pregnancy can lead to unexpected surprises. From believing life changes only after birth to underestimating the challenges of cravings and discomfort, the journey is filled with unforeseen realities. Despite the hurdles, the experience ultimately proves rewarding.