Picking up the latest glossy magazine all about preparing for a new baby will mean you are immediately confronted with a myriad of images depicting happy, smiling pregnant women who still have perfect bodies and not a swollen ankle in sight.
The reality of pregnancy, however, whilst being the single most magical process the human body could experience, is quite different and to prepare you more realistically for giving birth, continue reading the following advice.
Here are three things nobody told you about being pregnant.
1. Eating for Two Is Not a Good Idea
Even though, contrary to popular belief, pregnancy cravings are all too real and your appetite will likely grow whilst pregnant, eating for two is not necessarily a great idea in the long run.
The fact of the matter is that if you consume more foods containing high levels of sugar and fats, for example, the weight you will gain will remain long after you give birth and may well be much harder to shift.
It would be pertinent to point out, however, that in the third trimester of your pregnancy, ‘eating for two’ does become appropriate, as your body requires extra energy to give birth. Make sure take on board any advice that is provided by your doctor throughout your pregnancy.
2. Your Scan Appointments Will Be Highly Emotional
Even though you have probably seen countless baby scan photographs, both online and in television programs, as well as those from your close friends and family members, the moment when you see your baby for the first time is incredibly emotional.
A private London pregnancy clinic will offer you the extra time and space you will need in terms of emotional content to truly imprint the moment of your first and indeed, your subsequent pregnancy scans, and trained professional staff members will be more than willing to answer any questions you have.
3. Sleeping Will Become Increasingly Difficult
Towards the end of your pregnancy, you will have people all around you, whether that be colleagues in the office, random shoppers in the store, and friends or other loved ones telling you to enjoy those last few weeks and to get some sleep before the baby comes.
The frustrating thing about being repeatedly told this time and time again is that, frankly, sleeping will become more and more difficult as your baby bump grows.
Even though, technically at least, you will be able to still sleep on your stomach if, before you were pregnant, this was how you drifted off but, in reality, the sheer physics of the situation will soon mean that this becomes more uncomfortable.
It is also nigh-on impossible to sleep on your back, as how the baby is positioned means that the main vein between your heart and lower body, the vena cava, will be pushed down upon, making the only comfortable sleeping position to involve lying on your side, with your legs straight out on the bed.
