5 Things My BFF Told Me About Being Pregnant

By Katie Cassman

My best friend and I were very lucky to be pregnant with our first babies at the same time. We’ve been friends for over 15 years and have experienced many of life’s milestones together, but being pregnant together was the most special one yet. I loved having someone who gave me realistic insight into what my life would look like for the next 9 months. Plus, she was 10 weeks ahead of me, so I always had someone to ask questions to who had already experienced what I was going through. My BFF gave me 5 pearls of wisdom about being pregnant that everyone can benefit from hearing.

1. Everyone will have an opinion, story, and go for the belly grab.

Being pregnant, it seems everyone wants to impart their unsolicited advice onto you. It’s as if your growing belly stands for code of “Let me tell you about when I was 7 months pregnant…" At first, I had resistance towards all those opinions, but I quickly learned it’s much easier to smile and nod. Some stories and opinions I took to heart, while others I took with a grain of salt. Just remember, everyone is coming from a place of love and excitement for you and your baby! Plus, you can gain some valuable insight from other moms.

2. Spend time with your partner.

Your world is about to be rocked, but in the best way possible. Even though you and your partner will be spending time together once the baby is here, your focus will completely shift from each other to your little one. Savor the time together when it’s just the two of you. Making sure your foundation together is solid will help prepare you for the rollercoaster ride of having a newborn. See a movie in the theaters, plan a trip, be lazy together. Create a bucket list of things you’d like to do together before baby is born.

3. Be kind to yourself

You’re undergoing numerous changes both physically and mentally. Listen to what your mind and body are telling you. This is a time to be selfish with yourself and make sure you are taking care of your needs. Get a massage, see a movie solo, schedule dinner with girlfriends. And on the flip side if you don’t want to do a thing, embrace that feeling too!

4. No two pregnancies are the same

In this digital age, it’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. Every woman carries babies differently and experiences pregnancy on their own terms. Some feel the joys of being pregnant and others feel ill for all 9 months. Even for yourself, no two pregnancies will be the same. Don’t obsess over the size of someone else’s bump in comparison to yours. There will always be someone bigger than you and someone smaller than you. Just take a deep breath, stay in your lane and embrace the ride!

5. It will fly by! Except for the last month….

With my best friend expecting her baby just 10 weeks ahead of me she kept saying, “It’s going by so fast!" I felt like the first trimester went by fast and the second even faster! I agree pregnancy flies by, except for those last 4 weeks… When you are looking at just weeks, potentially days (!!) left of being pregnant you can be left anxiously wondering how your little one will make their debut into the world. Keep yourself busy or just relax on the couch, whatever feels best to you!

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