The nine-month journey of growing a human inside your body is both a mindblowing miracle and a lengthy challenge. As an ode to the amazing women who bring little ones into the world, the champion women who fight with fertility, the incredibly strong moms who have faced pregnancy loss, and those who adopt, sponsor, foster, or love on any kid at all, we’re getting real about pregnancy.
We asked 14 mothers (some of which are FabFitFun members!) to share both the highs and lows of their own pregnancies, so check out what these inspiring women had to say below.
“[The] worst thing about pregnancy [is] morning sickness, or in my case, hyperemesis gravidarum. It’s debilitating and needs some awareness. There’s no treatment available and trips to the ER to get fluids are no fun. [The] best thing about pregnancy [are the] baby kicks and learning that you are so much stronger and more capable than you even realize. Giving birth makes you feel like a superhero.” – Darian Arnold
“Battling fear and anxiety during the pregnancy [was the worst part]. I was worried that I would miscarry again. Also, the swelling. I literally felt like I had Play-Doh around my ankles. [The best part was] the birthing process and holding her in my arms for the first time. It’s amazing what our bodies can do!” – Sarah Breckenridge
“My entire pregnancy was the best and worst. After trying for five years and feeling like my body had made the ultimate betrayal by not doing the one thing I wanted more than anything else, to be pregnant, and then finally getting pregnant and having issue after issue and being put on bed rest for six months, my pregnancy was not what I had envisioned it would be like. But it was also the best because I grew life and experienced something I never thought I would have.” – Xochitl Silverman
“[The best part is] the different way you are treated by the world. People open doors for you, offer seats – everyone literally feels nicer. [The worst part is] bloody noses. I swear my nose bled for nine months. And the waddle. I totally waddled.” – Jessica Martin Graham
“The [best part is] the food and the organisms. There is so much extra blood pumping through your body, it affects your taste buds and lady bits. [The worst is] the smells. I couldn’t drive my car for three months and couldn’t be within eight feet of the door opening because the smell made me want to puke. And my house too. My hubby had to go into the house before me and spray a scent.” – Jessica Spinosa Stratton
“The best part is feeling the baby move around in your belly. The worst part is the heartburn. My advice is to follow your body. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re hungry, eat. If you made plans but you don’t feel well, stay home. This is a very important time for you and your baby. The world can wait.” – @BerkanaLynx
“The best part was watching my older kids (five adopted through foster care) love on their baby brother. I worried my entire pregnancy about how they would react to a biological baby [and] how the love will be. Luckily, it’s absolutely no different!” – Amanda Elizabeth
“The worst part of pregnancy is having to give birth. The best part is getting to hold your baby right after all the hard work. Also, hemorrhoids. They’re definitely the worst, but that’s probably more of a postpartum issue for most people.” – Kayanna Lynn
“You fall in love completely and unconditionally without ever having met this precious being. No love ever matched… [and] you can pig out without judgment. [The worst part is] that pesky heartburn that seems to only occur at night when you are trying to sleep.” – @Shanekawhite21
“[The best is the] confidence you gain from being a badass warrior mama who can grow a human being inside of her body. [The worst is the] lightening crotch. That sharp undeniable pelvic pain that ignites [as your] pelvis joint becomes more mobile – [it’s] especially challenging the second time around. [Also], balancing physical and mental limitations while parenting a three-year-old and trying to also kill it in my career.” – Cara Williams
“For me, one of the best parts was having an excuse to buy new clothes! Also, having an excuse to not do chores. I was a morning person prior to pregnancy, but bam, not anymore. I had to sit still on the couch for an hour after waking up or I was nauseous all day long.” – @LadyLauraSparkleZ
“My confidence level was through the roof. I’ve never felt more beautiful and empowered than when I was 25 pounds heavier and growing an entire human. [However, the] constant worry that I was doing something wrong or that she wasn’t moving enough or that I was causing her harm in some way by what I was eating or drinking or doing [was the worst part]. It’s a lot of pressure creating life and your body and decisions about your body [are] no longer just about you.” – Ashley Mae Artrip
“[The best parts are] feeling your baby move, seeing your baby on the sonogram, the fact that people are so nice to you once you’re showing, finding out the gender, getting excited to meet your baby, and imagining what they’ll be like. [The worst part is the] heartburn, people making unsolicited comments about your body, being exhausted all the time, having to pee every three minutes, and feeling nervous about delivering.” – @ellastar99, FabFitFun Community
“[My favorite part is] hearing that baby’s heartbeat for the first time. I’m currently [pregnant] with my second [child], and I feel like I am so much more aware of every little thing. [The worst part is] morning sickness. I had it bad with both. Now that my belly is the size of a planet, not being able to sleep comfortably, having to pee constantly, [and] the heartburn, oh God, the heartburn.” – @AhhhhlexR
xx, The FabFitFun Team
