What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

feralgardener11 said:If you were always out and about, people would constantly question why you never stay put. You’d have to be home more often. 🙄

I listen to this almost every single day. 🙄
It’s not that I don't appreciate it, but give me a break.

Hahahaha, absolutely true.😁

I’m still feeling pretty fresh at 44, but honestly, I feel like I’m constantly on edge lately. It’s driving me crazy; today, for instance, I had to practically act like a bodyguard during a meeting just to make sure two coworkers didn't disrupt everything by gossiping over coffee while some director was trying to speak. I felt like I was playing detective just to maintain some semblance of order. It’s exhausting when people try to be "too smart" for their own good and complicate simple things--
Aside from those little frustrations, though, life is actually quite good. :-)

Brenda Doyle5 said:Me. 😁 Even though—my first two trimesters were absolute hell. The first three months were pure nausea (I didn't vomit, but my stomach was constantly in my throat), everything bothered me, every smell was revolting... just awful. During the second trimester, I was still miserable—irritable, back pain, zero energy, exhausted... basically a disaster. But now that I've hit the third trimester, I actually feel great. Most women I talk to say they struggle during the 1st and 3rd trimesters and feel fine in the 2nd... though my condition could definitely take a turn for the worse. 😂 I lose my mind when someone starts lecturing me about the "blissful stage" or how beautiful this period is. I've had better times in my life, and I'll definitely have better times in the future. 🙂

I absolutely second everything written here!
I am still trying to wrap my head around what exactly is supposed to be "blissful" about this state, aside from the fact that we are literally bringing a new life into the world.

I just remembered all those comments about how "I need to keep a smile on my face because the baby can feel it" or how "black clothing isn't appropriate for pregnant women."
Hmm, I'm only just realizing now that not having to go into the office anymore isn't actually a bad thing.😂

Oh, tell me about it—some days, if my belly wasn't so massive, you wouldn't even realize I'm in my third trimester.

hollowpilot92 said:I absolutely second everything written here!
I am still trying to wrap my head around what exactly is supposed to be "blissful" about this state, aside from the fact that we are literally bringing a new life into the world.

I just remembered all those comments about how "I need to keep a smile on my face because the baby can feel it" or how "black clothing isn't appropriate for pregnant women."
Hmm, I'm only just realizing now that not having to go into the office anymore isn't actually a bad thing.😂

Oh, tell me about it—some days, if my belly wasn't so massive, you wouldn't even realize I'm in my third trimester.

I mostly wear black anyway.😬

I’m actually doing quite well, honestly! Not even a little bit!

I'm 25 now, and the acid reflux has officially arrived. Every single day. Great.
If I eat even a little too much for dinner, I can’t sleep because everything feels stuck in my throat, like I’m about to throw up. But if I don't eat enough, I still can't get any rest; I'll drift off only to wake up at 3:00 AM for a bathroom break, and then I'm just staring at the ceiling until 5:00.
Just wonderful. Ha!

Dana Brown8 said:I'm 25 now, and the acid reflux has officially arrived. Every single day. Great.
If I eat even a little too much for dinner, I can’t sleep because everything feels stuck in my throat, like I’m about to throw up. But if I don't eat enough, I still can't get any rest; I'll drift off only to wake up at 3:00 AM for a bathroom break, and then I'm just staring at the ceiling until 5:00.
Just wonderful. Ha!

Renny, try some lozenges or just dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in some water. Don't overthink it—baking soda in water doesn't even taste like anything.

Hannah Lewis2 said:Renny, try some lozenges or just dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in some water. Don't overthink it—baking soda in water doesn't even taste like anything.

Does this also work for cases that aren't your typical heartburn? I mean, when there isn't really a burning sensation, but more of that feeling where liquid seems to be bubbling up into your throat... almost like you're about to gag?🙂

Sam Baker6 said:Does this also work for cases that aren't your typical heartburn? I mean, when there isn't really a burning sensation, but more of that feeling where liquid seems to be bubbling up into your throat... almost like you're about to gag?🙂

Just try some baking soda. If it actually works for you, you'll know. Mostly, those pills should help neutralize the acid a bit.

Unfortunately, baking soda just acts as a neutralizer (I usually take it when the heartburn gets unbearable; I used to do it more often, but I’m being much more careful now that I'm pregnant, only when it's truly impossible to endure)... I had really hoped those tablets would be the solution for this fluid buildup without that constant burning sensation... -.-

And yeah, cutting back on food in the evening might help. 😁

Sam Baker6 said:Unfortunately, baking soda just acts as a neutralizer (I usually take it when the heartburn gets unbearable; I used to do it more often, but I’m being much more careful now that I'm pregnant, only when it's truly impossible to endure)... I had really hoped those tablets would be the solution for this fluid buildup without that constant burning sensation... -.-

And yeah, cutting back on food in the evening might help. 😁

I honestly wouldn't count on that. I think those are strictly for heartburn. 🤷

Sam Baker6 said:Does this also work for cases that aren't your typical heartburn? I mean, when there isn't really a burning sensation, but more of that feeling where liquid seems to be bubbling up into your throat... almost like you're about to gag?🙂

I rely on Gastall for just about everything—the burning sensation, the acid reflux, that bitter taste lingering in my mouth. It’s all quite unpleasant, and when those symptoms hit, they trigger a wave of nausea that honestly feels even more intense than early pregnancy morning sickness.
It seems to me that both Renny and Rupurt operate with a somewhat similar level of efficacy; ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference. Since they are considered safe for use during pregnancy, there is really no need to worry or endure any unnecessary discomfort. 😉

copperheron18 said:I rely on Gastall for just about everything—the burning sensation, the acid reflux, that bitter taste lingering in my mouth. It’s all quite unpleasant, and when those symptoms hit, they trigger a wave of nausea that honestly feels even more intense than early pregnancy morning sickness.
It seems to me that both Renny and Rupurt operate with a somewhat similar level of efficacy; ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference. Since they are considered safe for use during pregnancy, there is really no need to worry or endure any unnecessary discomfort. 😉

My doctor actually told me to stop taking Gastal.🤷
Then today, some old lady on the bus told me she couldn't stand up and basically demanded I move... "Ma'am, please get up, I can't stay standing." I practically sent her back to the Midwest...☕ 🙂

wanderinghawk said:My doctor actually told me to stop taking Gastal.🤷
Then today, some old lady on the bus told me she couldn't stand up and basically demanded I move... "Ma'am, please get up, I can't stay standing." I practically sent her back to the Midwest...☕ 🙂

Good for you. How did she react? 😁

By the way, regarding Gastal and heartburn—it seems I have some incredibly resilient acid reflux because nothing helped me during my first pregnancy, either. Back then, the heartburn vanished the exact moment I gave birth. I suffered through it starting around week 20.
I really thought I might be spared this time around.

Dana Brown8 said:Good for you. How did she react? 😁

By the way, regarding Gastal and heartburn—it seems I have some incredibly resilient acid reflux because nothing helped me during my first pregnancy, either. Back then, the heartburn vanished the exact moment I gave birth. I suffered through it starting around week 20.
I really thought I might be spared this time around.

I didn't exactly yell at her (at least not out loud 🤣)... I just told her she should find someone who isn't carrying a ten-pound baby... She just shrugged and turned away ☕

I've become generally bitter and intolerant lately. It seems everyone only thinks about themselves 🤷... it's irritating 🙂

Even today, an old lady in the elevator asked why I wasn't on medical leave... I told her it's because I'm pregnant, not sick... Everyone is just getting on my nerves with all these stupid suggestions... 😠

I don't have heartburn this time. During my last pregnancy, I ended up in the ER twice. They told me Rennie was my only option, which obviously didn't work... no Gastal or Pepcid... 😠 ... turns out the cause was H. pylori... which I don't have anymore. I only had it during the pregnancy... tested positive after, and it's gone now. 🤷

Dana Brown8 said:Good for you. How did she react? 😁

By the way, regarding Gastal and heartburn—it seems I have some incredibly resilient acid reflux because nothing helped me during my first pregnancy, either. Back then, the heartburn vanished the exact moment I gave birth. I suffered through it starting around week 20.
I really thought I might be spared this time around.

Same here... I'm two months out from my due date now and it seems to have dialed back a bit. 🤷But during my last one... You hit the nail on the head; it disappeared the moment I delivered. That last month was absolutely brutal.
And don't even get me started on store mirrors. They drive me crazy. I catch a glimpse of myself looking all "radiant" and I swear, I have a mini heart attack every single time because of how huge I look. 😲

Hannah Lewis2 said:Same here... I'm two months out from my due date now and it seems to have dialed back a bit. 🤷But during my last one... You hit the nail on the head; it disappeared the moment I delivered. That last month was absolutely brutal.
And don't even get me started on store mirrors. They drive me crazy. I catch a glimpse of myself looking all "radiant" and I swear, I have a mini heart attack every single time because of how huge I look. 😲

I'm right there with you. And I've barely even started.

It honestly irritates me how much everything seems to get under my skin lately; I just have zero patience left for anyone or anything.
It’s equally infuriating when nobody actually bothers to understand my moods. Every single conversation eventually devolves into the same tired clichés: "It gets easier once you have kids" or "That's just normal, I went through the exact same thing". Sometimes I just want to vent and be heard, but everyone assumes they need to jump in with some patronizing attempt to comfort or soothe me.

wanderinghawk, that looks amazing! I’m definitely stealing that idea next time I shop.😉

Hey ladies...
Just another story about people touching my belly...

Back when I was early on in the pregnancy (around 3 months, when I first posted here), a neighbor actually caught me totally off guard on the street. Out of nowhere, she goes, "So, where's the bump??"
I tried to play it cool and said, "Oh, you can't really see it yet, it's too early," but she didn't care one bit. Before I could even blink, she reached right under my shirt and started poking at my bare skin!!
Honestly, I was just stunned. I couldn't even process what was happening or find the words to react because I just wasn't expecting something so invasive.
She finally finished up by saying, "Oh, there it is! I knew it!"

The whole thing happened right after I had mentioned to a friend how relieved I was that nobody had tried to touch my stomach yet. And then, boom—I get hit with something that blunt. 🙂

Anyway, fast forward to now, being in my third trimester, and I guess I don't mind the belly touches quite as much. It’s already so big and firm that it feels inevitable... if it's close friends or family, I don't really mind...

volim_puding said:I’m feeling so guilty because I’m planning to quit my job at the end of the month. I’m on this specific contract where I don't get any sick leave, maternity benefits, or anything else...
I work a customer service desk, dealing with at least 70 people every single day, and then there's the commute. I take a bus for about 40 minutes that’s always packed so tight you can barely stand up.
Honestly, I'm already getting worried. Even though I'm only 15 weeks along, I've already dealt with shingles, and my sinuses flare up every couple of days. My immune system just isn't strong enough to handle that daily commute and touching dirty cash all day long. Plus, once it starts snowing, the bus doesn't even come to our small town anymore, so we have to 1.2 miles walk through the snow just to catch one...

I don't know, these feel like totally valid reasons to me, but the guilt is still eating at me...🙂

I completely understand how you feel because I went through the exact same thing. I ended up having complications early in my pregnancy because of my working conditions, and from day one, I felt so guilty—even though I wasn't dying, I was just nauseous and vomiting constantly. I work in childcare, and I was terrified of staying on the job because I was catching strep throat all the time. We deal with scarlet fever, rotavirus, and all sorts of nasty bugs, not to mention the stress of working with kids, lifting them, carrying them, and cleaning up spills if someone has an accident. In the end, both my primary doctor and my OB-GYN agreed that it was better for me to stay home...