Guest Post; Pregnancy- By a real girl.

Hi! I am Natalie from Home Bird Economics, I am so pleased and grateful to be contributing to Winter Love whilst Natalie and Nick take some time to enjoy their newest addition. Home Bird Economics is full of my bargain finds, my crafty creations and happenings with my sweet husband.

Around the time Natalie asked me to guest post for her I have to admit I was struggling with being pregnant, I have had problems with hip pain throughout and to be honest I wasn't feeling the 'glowing' or 'blooming' states some would have you believe... nor does that mean it has been as horrific as some pregnancies are said to be, I am grateful for the pregnancy I have had. But I am going to share the truths about pregnancy that I have experienced.


* Some days you will just feel fat. Not pregnant fat, not time of the month fat. Just fat.

* Feeling your baby move will excite you beyond belief and scare you more than you imagined! Embrace this mix of emotions because it will be with you throughout your pregnancy.

* Acknowledge and discuss when you feel guilty or unworthy, no-one is perfect all of the time and the sooner you develop your confidence in your desires for your child, the happier I am sure you will be.

* Find something that relaxes you, involve your partner if possible in relaxation techniques as an example so that they can develop a 'tool box' of options to help when you are in labor.

* Accept that people will touch your belly, I hated it. I honestly don't have big personal space issues but there is something very intimate about touching an unborn child that I feel should be invited instead of taken and yet others don't see it that way. I tried to remind myself that I cannot control everything and was saying something worth the awkwardness?

* Some people will think calling you fat or a derogatory name is hilarious. It is not ok to punch them. Most of the time smiling politely or bursting into tears will defuse the situation.

* A cliched one, but think of how many times you plan to be pregnant and how special this opportunity really is. Even through the trials of pregnancy there is nothing like creating and nurturing a life within you.

* Finding someone to confide in when everything seems a little too much will really help you to rationalize your thoughts.

* I really enjoyed keeping a baby book of happenings throughout my pregnancy because it kept me focusing on how much time had passed.

* I also loved creating things for our nursery and even if you aren't creative or into making things, collecting and making a little nest for your newborn will help to get yourself ready.

* Swollen ankles can be painful and worrying, luckily though rest helps to keep them down.

* Get used to feeling uncomfortable, I felt uncomfortable in my skin most days. Just because things are changing and you are constantly adapting to a new twinge or a different sensation.

...Finally, pregnancy is just 9 months and I genuinely believe that the benefit outweighs the struggles...

Natalie
Home Bird Economics