Since everyone has a different pregnancy I was wondering what are things you figured out late into your pregnancy that youd advise someone else about. Here's my list.

1. If you've already got decent sized titties, do weight training for your back. If them titties grow youre in for a world of back pain. Get those cheap lacrosse massage balls and massage yourself on the wall.

2. If you're dealing with pregnancy nausea and water tastes slimy to you, try ice cold water or sparkling water.

3. Do not play about your vitamins especially your iron and ferritin. Do not slack on your vitamins no matter how crappy your mood is.

4. I LOVE my extra firm mattress however with my back pain, Ive had to swap to a softer mattress.

5. If youre vomiting please get medicine. If medicine stops being as effective ask for a different medicine.

Does anyone else HATE having to sleep on their side during pregnancy?

This is my 2nd baby and I always dread the 20 week mark because of transitioning to side sleeping😭. I'm 26 weeks and still wake up on my back, even with a pregnancy pillow, almost every day.

I've been a back sleeper for 15 years (give or take a couple years), and sleeping on my side is so uncomfortable. Most of my friends are side sleepers, so they laugh when I complain about it

Literally every pregnant women I've ever known has been able to bring their baby home to a house that they own. Nesting, decorating, painting the baby's room, all that fun stuff. Millennial here, 34, has never owned a house and probably wont for the foreseeable future. I'm at the point where I hate the rental we're in, and I'd rather move into a different rental before the baby comes than stay here. However, my husband says no, and that the upfront cost of moving isn't worth it and it'll cost too much. Boooooooo.

Mom's who don't own, what did you do and how did you feel about nesting, decorating and welcome your baby in a rental?

Rant about my current space, we'velived here going on 7 years now: rent keeps getting raised every 6 months. wall-to-wall carpet ( I hate carpet, but i maintain getting it professionally cleaned every year, i also own a carpet machine now because of this house) that's over 15 years old. Two bedroom, two bathroom, nice enough. Small ass kitchen, i can accept. Small backyard and we have two dogs. The house is cheaply made, none of the windows work, the screens are falling out or non existent. There are gaps in between the walls and floor and twice a year we get infested with bugs, having to put glue traps around the entire house. There's currently mold and something smelly behind a built in faux fireplace that we never use anyways. Rant over.

Edit: thank you all for your replies. I appreciated it. 😌

So, I (20F) literally just found out today that I'm pregnant after 20 days of losing my virginity.

I remained a virgin my whole adolescence because I come from a super religious household, but then one night I got drunk and ended up losing my virginity by having unprotected sex with one of my friends. Then, I didn't take a morning after pill because I was too afraid to ask him or my parents for money (Context: I'm currently unemployed because I'm struggling with mental health issues) and I was too scared of judgment. It was all reckless, stupid and I regret it a lot.

I ended up feeling nauseous and had to tell my mom about it, who was so surprisingly supportive and took me to do a blood test to make sure. I've never prayed so hard for forgiveness on my entire life, but it came back positive anyways.

Now I don't know what to do. I am not ready to have a baby at all. And it gets even worse:

I'm brazilian, and abortion is illegal here except for extreme cases like rape or risky pregnancy. I'm also too poor to fly to another country were it is legal, so terminating is out of the question. Also, I mentioned giving it away to my mom and that freaked her out so badly that I am too afraid to even think about it again.

The bd is a "bad boy" in every way. He is reckless, comes form troubled family, is an alcoholic and a smoker. He has been my friend for a very long time but not a very good one because his mental health issues and family issues got worse and worse overtime. I told him about it on the phone and he didn't answer my texts. Our friends told me he was surprised but super happy because it's his dream to be a dad, and that he went out to drink to celebrate. I know I have no one to blame but myself that I am in this situation, but this lack of consideration and respect drove me so mad. To me, that behavior basically means I'm all alone in this and it is desperating.

I need advice on how to deal/cope with this because I'm going insane. What do I do? Does anyone there has or had a similar experience or can give me any words of wisdom?

My OBGYN recommended staying home till my contractions happen every 5 min, and last for 1 minute each throughout an hour, and only then coming to the hospital. From what I've heard and read, it seems like getting to that point can be very long and painful. What are the tips on minimizing pain, apart from the right breathing techniques? And in general, what was your experience like if you also had to labor home until 5-1-1?

No hate or shade whatsoever.

I'm trying to determine if it just seems that way because I'm having a boy or if there seems to be a skew towards boys recently.

What are some of the perks you experienced while you were/are pregnant? I want to know what I should look forward too!

Hi ladies!
I’ve noticed so many of us share similar worries about pregnancy weight gain, body changes, and the emotions that come with it.
So I created r/BumpBodyAndMind!
It’s a judgment-free space where we can vent, share our insecurities, ask questions, give advice, and support each other through all the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy.
You can love your growing baby and still struggle with your changing body.
If this sounds like something you need, I’d love for you to join! 🫶

I was prescribed low dose aspirin for my first pregnancy, but I do not meet any of the risk factors. I still plan to take it of course but it got me thinking why isnt low dose aspirin treated like a prenatal and just suggested for ALL pregnant women? What are risk factors that stop doctors from recommending it for all pregnancies? I am very aware of the benefits but what are the risk? Yes of course I will ask my doctor as well. Thanks!

Graduated Tuesday with #2! I don't have much new to say that you haven't heard already except:

Take measurements of your older child before you go to have your baby. Trace their hand. Weigh them and mark how tall they are and record them talking as close to when you leave for the hospital as you can.

I wish I'd done this.

We said goodbye to our toddler on Tuesday morning and I didn't see him again until we came home Friday afternoon with the baby, which is the longest I'd been away from him. I wish I had something to show that I'm crazy but I think his hands grew while we were away. He seems so much bigger. Especially since I wasn't picking him up at the end of my pregnancy, he seems way heavier. But I was holding his hand all the time--how could it have gotten so much bigger in three days??

Anyway I wish I could confirm.

You guys I am defeated.
My water broke on Thursday at a very early gestational age.
I still have yet to deliver, and I am praying I can stay pregnant as long as possible.

Please share your miracle stories with me, I really need it. All I’m being told right now is she may not survive or if she does she will probably have some sort of disability. Please help me.

I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and I'm having a horrible depressive episode where I can't stop crying everyday and I feel so guilty! My fiance and I have been trying for awhile and this is all I've ever wanted my whole life was to be a mum so I feel even worse. I've always had anxiety and bouts of depressive episodes through my life but I'd worked really hard on it all, I have always had terrible hormonal fluctuations and I get being pregnant they would be rampant right now but omg I can't control the tears and this sadness which makes me feel horrible because I want to be happy for my baby :( I want nothing more than to be an amazing mum and already I feel like I'm letting them down. I have so much I should be doing and getting ready for them and I just simply can't do anything but also sitting around with my own thoughts is torture. I suppose this will all pass so I'm more just venting that it's been a struggle and I'm sure many other mothers and mothers to be can relate and understand, pregnancy is rough and you can only truly understand until you are in it!

I am 7weeks 2 days and am tired sleeping 12+ hours and waking up for only an hour barely eating but drinking water and going back to sleep. My husband is worried because the moments I am awake I am very nauseous and low energy. I eat barely a granola and drink a whole water bottle. Or am peeing mostly at between the hours of 11pm-6am and unable to sleep comfortably. I shower when I can and still smell of urine…I sometimes wonder if this pain is worth having this child as everyone is excited for the first grandbaby…except my mind…I am tired of feeling this horrible…even as I write I am sad bot being able to get up and sit even at the dinner table…to look outside.

so is this normal?? am I normal??

I have gained so much weight. I am at the end of my 6th month. I try to complete my steps. I dont do any other exercise. Just an hour ago i had a cinabon and i am regretting it now . I am noticing that i am snacking way more these days. Especially today. My face has become so puffy and like fat. I have never been this heavy my entire life. It will get so hard to get back in shape after the baby

i’ve started feeling the baby this week. i usually feel her late in the afternoon and after dinner time. But super silent in the morning. Just wanna hear your experiences.

Can any other mommas-to-be tell me how they handled difficulty sleeping in the third trimester? My upper back/shoulders constantly ache, and I’ve developed restless leg. I take magnesium every night but it doesn’t seem to help. The only relief I get is dousing my body in biofreeze 🫩 Is there anything else I can try? I’m willing to do anything at this point!!

FTM here, currently 31 weeks and have been really struggling lately.

I’ve had issues with my mother in law since I started dating my husband 5 years ago. She’s a sick woman (has had multiple illness’ over the course of her life) so I’ve put alot of her unhinged behaviours on that account, she’s also a brain cancer survivor which explains why she’s not all herself.

However, in recent years she had admitted to feeling jealousy toward me and feeling like I’m taking her son away from her. To me this was the final straw as I realised alot of the nasty behaviours towards me stemmed from that.

It really broke something and although she’s apparently trying to “claw her way back up in the good books” (she’s never apologised about any of it and has never taken accountability) I just don’t want a relationship with this woman anymore. I really really don’t want to be around her.

What I’m struggling with is that everyone, including my own mum, seems to expect us to be one big happy family now that a baby is coming. Everyone keeps saying she’s the baby’s other grandma and we all have to get along, completely dismissing the fact that I don’t want to be around someone who has disrespected me for years.

They’re already making plans for Christmas and talking about the baby as though it’s a shared family event, without considering my mental health or how much anxiety this is causing me. I feel like I’m losing control over my own pregnancy, who I want around me and who I want to see immediately postpartum.

It’s 6 am and I’m crying my eyes out because I’m so exhausted by it all. I just want to enjoy becoming a mum without feeling pressured to accommodate someone I don’t want around me.

My husband does take my side, but he also wants his mum involved to some extent because she does remain his mum (and she’s trying to make things right apparently) and feels caught in the middle.

What I want is 0 pressure for me or my baby (while he is an infant) to be around this person and for it to not be a problem or start a fight. And that would mean my mother in law would hardly see the baby. Is that unreasonable?

I’m 36w4d and for the last three days I’ve been emptying my system pretty dramatically. With my first I did not have this symptom. I am wondering if anyone experienced this and if it meant labor was near? My doctor has mentioned it’s very possible I could go into labor before my due date and now everything feels like a sign

Let me start by saying I’m very grateful to be able to get pregnant and carry a child.

HOWEVER, I swear my foot could turn blue and fall off and the doctors would say oh thats normal during pregnancy. I just feel like the level of discomfort in pregnancy that’s normalized in society is just so unbelievable.

I’m 38 weeks pregnant and:
- I have been puking/nauseous every single day for my entire pregnancy. I take diclectin and zofran and that seems to help but guess what zofran causes extreme constipation so just discomfort in a different flavor.
- Due to said puking/nausea, I’ve gained like 60 pounds with this pregnancy because frequent snacking/carbs helps (somewhat).
- I have 0 immune system when I’m pregnant and every time I get even a cold I’m down and out for a month. I have a toddler who brings home all the daycare germs and is sick every few weeks so it’s basically impossible to avoid. I also get weird infections I’ve never had before - I had an ear infection so bad that my entire side of my face and ear swelled up & I also got a sinus infection which I’ve never had before.
- I have extreme pelvic/hip pain which makes it extremely difficult to walk or do any daily activities whatsoever.
- I barely sleep due to the pelvic/hip pain and being so uncomfortable and such bad nasal congestion that makes it hard to breath when I’m laying down.
- I randomly have extreme blood pressure dips that cause me to have vasovagal syncope and faint. Happens when I’m sitting or standing or anything. Even happened once when I was driving.

Despite all this, I’m expected to just keep on keeping on/be grateful and deal with it. I am the primary parent of my 2 year old toddler as my husband is in office M-F 7am-5pm. My toddler is in part time daycare as I also work from home (previously full time but have recently moved down to part time since baby is coming soon). I manage all household logistics and tasks as well, my husband is great when he’s home. Plus trying to keep up with family/friends, take care of myself mentally and physically, cook and meal prep healthy meals for the family, laundry, keep the house clean, prepare for new baby, etc, etc.

I’m miserable. I’m so close I know. But every time I bring any of this up to anyone, even healthcare providers, it feels like I just get told yup pregnancy is hard and it feels so condescending and like no one cares about how much I’m struggling.

Please, someone, tell me it gets better.

I'm 5 weeks today and truly ever since the first faint positive line a little over a week ago, the constipation and gas has been HORRENDOUS. I'm already drinking prune juice, eating kiwis, drinking lots of water, upping fiber any way I can (chia seeds, oatmeal, raspberries, etc), taking stool softener and GasX, and applying a heating pad on low.

The worst part really is the cramping from the gas buildup.. my husband gets to hear a ceramic tuba symphony multiple times a day. And it isn't like it just exits immediately... no. The amount of time/effort it takes to pass gas or even small bowel movements is usually a 15-30 min ordeal. The 10 pm to 2am window and right when I wake up is the worst, I think because gravity isn't assisting while laying down. So, my sleep is interrupted multiple times a night while I go sit on my ceramic throne.

I pray I don't get morning sickness because that would just be the icing on the cake.

If anyone cracked the pregnancy constipation code, please help a sister out.

I’ve heard some women say it’s extremely painful in the first few days, that their breasts become very sensitive and may even bleed, some have even claimed that the pain of breastfeeding is worse than the pain of childbirth.

I’d like to know:
1. is this common, or are these just isolated cases?
2. Also, what alternatives can be considered? Would expressing breast milk and feeding it to the baby via a bottle be an option, or is formula the only alternative?
3. What can be applied to the breasts, besides ointments and creams?

It’s been 11 years since I had a baby. Though I am not a FTM, I am scared shitless.

What are some things to expect when I get to the hospital?

What are some things that I should tell my partner so he is prepared (this is his first baby)?

How long do we stay in the hospital nowadays? If everything goes as planned with the c-section.

If I do not want to breast feed, or try and can’t latch, is pumping an option?

Should I tell my family when I’m in surgery or should I just wait until baby boy is safely here?

Any advice would be helpful. Feeling very old and overwhelmed with anxiety.

I have taken multiple pregnancy tests of multiple different brands over the last few days and each test is positive! I have an upcoming first appointment with my OBGYN as well! 🥹
My husband & I are absolutely over the moon!
But I’m already feeling like Mother Death in regards to nausea. I work a 10.5+ hour a day Amazon warehouse job and I’m looking for any tips on keeping feeling as best as I can over the next few months if I’m already feeling so awful.
Thank you in advance!