10 THINGS I'VE NOT LIKED ABOUT PREGNANCY

1- SPD

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction is a condition that unfortunately hit me around the 16 week mark and has progressively got worse since. It started with an ache between my legs and then the pain in my lower back started; with my tailbone clicking out of place every time I walk or go from standing to walking.

It has now affecting my pelvis, with my pelvic area clicking really loudly when I move suddenly. This makes it extremely painful to turn over in bed, get up off the sofa and getting out of a car is also a challenge.

I was referred through work to a physiotherapy session recently and discussed my symptoms. I was told to do certain exercises to help with the pain and discomfort. However, reaching down to my toes is extremely painful when standing back up and the thought of planking against a wall (as advised) does not appeal to me very much. My midwife has said physio is not something that can really help with SPD - especially as exercises can cause more pain.  I really hope it goes away after I give birth!

2- LACK OF MATERNITY CLOTHING ON THE HIGH STREET 

This has really frustrated me throughout my pregnancy so far. I stopped wearing non-maternity jeans when I was around 9-10 weeks pregnant, as I bloated pretty quickly. I have found it really difficult finding any good maternity jeans on the high street, so resulted to stocking up on many pairs of leggings to see me throughout the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

I have popped into some of the big name stores and enquired about their maternity range and have always been told the same thing: "Our maternity range is available online only". High street stores - do you know how annoying and inconvenient this is?

They say you should buy maternity wear in the same size you was pre-pregnancy, but I have found this to be rather inaccurate. Having bought several pairs of maternity jeans online, even a size 16 doesn't fit me and I have always been a size 12!

There's also a lack of diversity with maternity clothing. You're lucky if you find anything else than leggings, stripy tops and black, grey and white vests in maternity ranges. I am so used to having a varied wardrobe of skirts, trousers and dresses, but find it is quite hard to find any maternity dresses that aren't frumpy and make me look like I'm wearing a sack.

Fortunately, American brands like Pink Blush have a super wide range of maternity clothing for the modern mother; fitting your ever growing bump and making you feel super stylish at the same time. Trying to steer away from my everyday look of leggings and a baggy tee, I looked at their range of maternity dresses and fell in love with the Navy Floral Bell Sleeve Maternity Dress.

It fits perfectly on me and allows me to feel a little bit 'me' again on the days I feel like feeling a little more glam.

Dress - Gifted* AD

3- UNWANTED COMMENTS ON BUMP SIZE

This has been the main cause of tears and feeling like a sump wrestler most days. I cannot tell you how sick and tired I am of people commenting on the size of my bump. I have had people calling me 'fatty' when greeting me, as some sort of light hearted joke to them. Others have very often asked if I am having twins or even worse, TELL ME I am having twins and some simply say "I can't believe how big you are for XX weeks".

I am carrying a perfectly healthy baby boy and unborn babies grow a bit more everyday. My bump may look a little bigger than some girls who carry smaller, but there's many bumps out there on the larger side, which can be down to carrying extra water. It doesn't necessarily mean the baby is going to 2 stone when it comes out!

I find these kinds of people REALLY rude.

4- HOW CRAZY HORMONES BECOME

I've found myself crying at birth videos, but also at more deemed pathetic things - such as dinner not tasting great or a lack of ice-cream in the house. My boyfriend is somehow dealing with my erratic moods and deserves a gold medal.

5- LONDON COMMUTERS IGNORE BABY ON BOARD BADGES

I cannot tell you how many times I have commuted to or from work and been ignored by fellow commuters. I travel 4 hours per day, which puts an awful strain on my back now that I have SPD and am approaching my 3rd trimester. 

People tell me that you should ask for a seat - especially the priority ones you get on the tube. However, I have experienced asking people if they mind giving up their seat and being refused and ignored for the rest of the long journey. 

I understand most people scroll through their phones or the daily newspaper in the mornings or on their way home from work, but being pregnant really does make me much more aware of my surroundings. I will definitely be regularly looking up from my book or phone when I am not pregnant and looking to see if there's anyone struggling who would benefit from having my seat. It's called being nice. 

6- OTHER MUMS THINK THEY KNOW BEST 

Baby boy is my first child and I like most first time mums, will be guessing my way through motherhood. It has become increasingly irritating how other mums feel the need to tell me what I should be doing - rather telling me off than giving simple and friendly mum to mum advice.

I remember eating coleslaw and being told by someone with children "You shouldn't eat coleslaw, it's bad for the baby".  I ended up feeling super anxious for the rest of the day and so asked my midwife about it - who told me it is FINE to eat shop bought coleslaw.

I have been told many other things that I simply now smile at and ignore. 

If I want to put together a god damn birth plan with the risk of it not going ahead on the day, then I will. Leave me to do what I want to do! 

8- HOW PREPARED YOU HAVE TO BE WITH ANTENATAL APPOINTMENTS

I have found this quite overwhelming and have felt quite anxious before meeting with my midwife for most of my appointments so far. Expecting your first baby is jumping into the deep end itself; let alone remembering to have important blood tests by certain weeks and asking for certain things when you get to the appointment. 

I am quite organised, so write everything down - but I do find it quite overbearing. When and if I have a second child, I will know what to expect with antenatal appointments, but it can be quite a lot to remember when you're expecting your first baby!

9- TWO NHS SCANS ARE NOT ENOUGH

You only get offered two NHS scans during your pregnancy - the first at 12 weeks and a second at 20 weeks. It feels like you're waiting forever in-between both scans and once your 20 week scan is over, you don't see your baby again until birth (unless there's complications, of course). 

We have ended up booking two private scans too, so have been lucky to see baby boy 4 times already. We also have a private 4D scan booked for next month, so that we can see our baby one last time before the final count down to due date. 

I have heard that some NHS trusts are trialling out a routine scan in-between 20 weeks and due date, which I think is an excellent idea, as it gives parents-to-be peace of mind!

10- FEELING ANXIOUS

I spent the first 20 weeks feeling really anxious. However, I'm now done worrying what people think of me, worrying about people who are no longer in my life for whatever reason and just general conflicts. I don't care if my sick days at work are increasing due to the pain I am going through right now. I don't care if I have a day of eating cakes all day will result in a bit of extra baby weight. I don't care if the house looks a bit untidy than normal.

All I care about is my baby, my partner, my health and welfare and becoming a family of three.

Disclaimer: This post contains gifted brand items. All words, opinions and photographs are my own.