I thought I would kick off the blogging week with a response to the BritMums prompt on expectations around pregnancy.

Here are the things that surprised me.

1. I bonded with my first child as soon as I sensed I was pregnant.  I can remember talking to him all the time particularly on the way to work.

2. I was amazed that my partner continued to find me attractive throughout the pregnancy and beyond.

3.  I had never experienced heartburn prior to pregnancy.  One of the rotten side effects of pregnancy.

4. I thought morning sickness would feel like normal nausea. It does not and  has a horror all of its own.

5. I knew nothing about the leg cramps that would strike me in the middle of the night and the novel high jinks as my partner tried to relieve them by moving my legs up and down.

6. I did not realise that not all employers are clued up about pregnancy.  One female boss asked me to carry heavy display boards in late pregnancy.  One male boss tried to get out of employing me at all when it turned out I was pregnant (although did not know it) when I was interviewed and offered the job.

7. I had heard of stretchmarks but did not realise that a huge purple and ugly thing would appear over my tummy in pregnancy. 

8. I had not realised the power of a pregnancy to heal fractured family relationships.

9. I did not know that on becoming pregnant other mums suddenly become interested in you and you join the “mums’ club” with everyone very keen to share their acquired wisdom whether you want it or not.

10. Finally, I was aware how protective I was of my baby right from the word go.  I remember there was a fire alarm at work and on exiting the building, I could hear this voice in my head saying “Save the baby”.    He is 11 now and I still have that vigilance about his welfare.  I imagine this never quite goes away even when your children are adults.

I am looking forward to hearing about other bloggers’ tales of the unexpected.

In the meantime, please help other parents and parents to be by signing up to support Tommy’s the baby charity when you shop online at no cost to yourself with the retailers giving a percentage of what you spend to charity.

http://www.give.as/savingbabieslives

 

I am acting as an ambassador for Give As You Live and am proud to be supporting Tommy’s who support parents and parents-to be with the issues of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.