When I first became pregnant I couldn’t wait to grow a bump.  Giving birth to a real baby was a far off destination and I was worry-free and excited for the future.  But it seemed that once the journey got into full swing, pregnancy started to lose its candyfloss appeal; I found it hard going with nausea and struggled with pain.  Toward the end I was finished, ready to meet my baby and regain the less hormonal me again – pregnancy, I decided, did not look well on me.

Now I have my baby I’ve waved goodbye to my maternity status.  My gorgeous little boy is more than I could have dreamed and motherhood is a beautiful thing.  It’s great to have my body back but when my boy came into the world I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness – now I have to share the little life my body nurtured with the world.  For all of pregnancy’s heartache, I was actually missing it.

Don’t get me wrong, pregnancy was a huge nightmare for me.  I suffered with SPD and worsened health conditions, so the long nine months wasn’t a walk in the park.  But it’s hard to deny there were some genuinely lovely bits about being pregnant.  So forgetting the morning sickness, the back ache and the horrendous pain, these are some of the reasons for which I miss being pregnant.

1. THE BUMP

Admiring watching it grow, slathering it with body butter and stroking it proudly whenever I passed a mirror.  Accumulating a photo gallery of bumpie pictures taken each week became my new hobby.

2. THE KICKS

Watching in amazement at all the movement, wondering whether a poke came from a foot or hand – even the painful jabs under the rib confirmed baby was safely cocooned inside me.

 
3. AFTERNOON NAPS

Snuggly lie ins, daytime kips and duvet days were gloriously guilt-free.

 
4. THE SURPRISE

Carrying a new life and waiting for that first meeting, not knowing if it’s a boy or girl and wondering what they’ll look like.

5. THE ATTENTION

With everyone suddenly interested in you and asking how you are, opening doors for you and offering a seat, you feel super royally special.

6. THE BABY FORUMS

Joining a birth club where everyone’s in the same boat with the same struggles, following the same exciting journey you feel less alone in the big crazy world of pregnancy.  

7. THE APPOINTMENTS

The only time I’ve ever looked forward to a hospital or doctors appointment because getting to see baby on a scan or hear their heartbeat, even just talking about their arrival, is so thrilling.

8. THE TREATS

Not feeling guilty eating through tons of crisps and chocolate and really random foodie concoctions because… cravings.

9. THE FREEBIES

Become pregnant and suddenly there’s brand websites, Emma’s Diary and Bounty bags all  throwing samples and vouchers at you desperate for your parent pound.  I live for freebies and will treasure that tiny pot of Sudocrem.  

10. HAVING THE PERFECT EXCUSE

Sorry I can’t come out/go to your party/entertain you because I’m too tired/too sick/too pregnant.  (And subsequently giving points 3 and 8 full permission to go ahead.)

If you’ve been pregnant before, what did you love most about it?  Do you miss that stage of growing a family, or are you just glad it’s behind you?  I’d love to hear your maternity loves (and maybe the reasons you didn’t so much!)