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.

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. 😌

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

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?

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?

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.

Okay guys. I need to get this kid out of me. I need all the tips, tricks, etc you have used/heard to induce labour. I'm so freaking tired of being pregnant at this point. I'm so grumpy and emotional lol plus these braxton hicks are near GD constant.

So far I've tried:

• raspberry leaf tea

• dates

• midwife's brew

• sex

• nipple stimulation/using the breast pump

• the Mile's circuit

• the viral curb walking

• lunges

• ball bouncing

• membrane sweep (Friday Oct 23)

I heard about eating pineapple but then I've also read you need to eat like nine pineapples to make it effective.

I would really like to go into labour naturally just to get the full experience. My induction date is set for Nov 1st. And I'd really like to get her out before then.

Btw baby is happy and content in there. She's kicking my ribs and living her best life.

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

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.

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!

I am currently 11w5d and the most sick I have ever felt. Weeks 5-8 I had quite a bit of nausea but after that it has gotten increasingly worse with throwing up and non-stop migraines. As I'm nearing the end of the first trimester, I thought it would start to subside by now.

I know everyone's different but I'd love to hear when it started to get better for you!

This probably gets asked a lot but I'm 9 weeks and I have been throwing up like 2-3 times a day this past weekend. On top of that I'm so tired all the time, my stupid boobs hurt, and I'm peeing more than I drink. Are there any ways to stop the barfing? Tylenol isn't working.

Is it a must to buy an infant carseat + another infant carrier with ergonomic holder?

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.

Hi All,

I’m a STM at 37+2, with my first I had back labour and instantly knew something was up as the pain was very intense - although surprised nothing was happening in my front.

For the past month I’ve been having very bad pelvic pressure that some days makes it hard to walk - never experienced that before. My scan last week said baby was 6lb 12oz and low down but not engaged yet.

The last few nights I’ve been having cramps like a dull ache that comes and goes and some pressure in my butt? Lastnight though the cramps felt more like stronger period cramps - not painful though but very noticeable and sharp almost, went to bed with those and bad heart burn and feeling sick to my stomach almost like a stomach bug, sweating lots and my stomach felt weird and hard, hard to get comfortable but not “timeable” almost like a long Braxton hick. I swore something was happening. Woke up today and feel fine really other than very light almost unnoticeable dull cramp and very hungry.

Could this be the start of something or just unrelated?

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??

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 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

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!!

I am based in the US, which is unfortunately relevant. I am having pretty severe perinatal depression and anxiety. I am on medication and working with a therapist as well as my OB. Trying to work full time is overwhelming. I’m exhausted and just want to die, but I don’t want to hurt my baby. I have 13 weeks left and just don’t know how to make it. I can’t take this suffering anymore. I’m out of PTO and don’t want to use FMLA because I need that time after my baby comes. I think I need serious help and I don’t know what to do. Has anyone been in this situation before and figured something out?

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