For all those annoying niggles of being pregnant, there are plenty of fantastic things, too. Firstly, there’s the excitement of announcing your news. But the wonderful rewards go well beyond this…
1. You get a seat on a bus!
Granted, you may have to flaunt your belly to make this work but as far as all public transport is concerned you’re now guaranteed a seat. To drive the point home, you can get a free baby on board badge for the London Underground.
“Make sure you wear a short jacket rather than a long coat and don’t be shy of making eye contact,” recommends Lucinda, 29, mum to Jacob, 4 months.
2. Prescriptions are free
From the moment your pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor or midwife right through to when your baby’s one year old, you’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions. Ask your midwife for an FW8 application form and you’ll be sent a Maternity Exemption Certificate in the post. Sadly, chocolate isn’t available on prescription.
3. You can eat more
Unfortunately, despite what most people believe, you’re not supposed to eat for two. But chin up – you can enjoy an extra 300 calories a day of healthy food. “Eat little and often so you don’t get peaks and troughs of energy,” says Gail Johnson, midwife for the Royal College of Midwives. “Try healthy snacks like raw vegetables as chocolate will give you a big boost, followed by a plunging low.”
4. You look fantastic
Hormonal changes will leave you look radiant: You skin will glow with health, your hair will be luxuriant and glossy and your nails will grow and grow.
Expert Tip
Many women bloom because, subconsciously, they are relieved their pregnancy is going well. They may also be feeling nurtured, at least for the moment!
Jane Norris, midwife at the Royal United Hospital in Bath
“Increased blood flow and raised levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in pregnancy lead to many changes in your body,” says Jane Norris, midwife at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. “Your nails grow well and hair growth increases, with less being shed, so it looks thicker and your skin can look great.”
5. Sticky-out tummies are great
There’s a horrible stage in pregnancy when you start to put on weight in weird places but you don’t look pregnant - you just look a bit untoned or blaoted. And worse than that, as you haven’t reached the 12-week mark you can’t defend yourself against the implied accusation that you’ve just let yourself go. So enjoy what comes next… your lovely rounded belly.
“Wrap dresses are flattering and versatile,” says Carmel Johnson, design manager for Crave Maternity. “If you’re conscious of your tummy, tie the dress under the bust to draw attention away from that area. If your bust has ‘blossomed’, enjoy the extra attention, or layer the dress over a camisole to make you feel more secure.”
Your belly might even be a turn-on for your partner!
Dad’s story
"How I announced the pregnancy news..."
“I didn’t know how to tell my incredibly excitable parents about my wife’s pregnancy, so I dropped it into conversation. They were round for lunch and I asked if they wanted a drink. Then I mentioned that we had champagne to toast the mum-to-be. They went mad!”
Daniel, 38, dad to be of 17 weeks
