Catching Zzz's
"Pregnancy insomnia! Forget all those people telling you to 'sleep while you can.' They need to tell you that before you're pregnant!"
- Jessica H., Sydney, Australia
Reflux Sucks
"I wish someone had told me that even water can give you heartburn. Along with toothpaste, vegetables, soup, ice cream and many, many other things."
- Arielle B., Buford, Ga.
Everything Tastes Bad
"I wish I had known about the gag-inducing, horrible taste that would be left in my mouth after eating ANYTHING. And that it would NOT go away until the moment I gave birth, no matter what lies Google promised me."
- Jessica S., Toledo, Ohio
Stretch Mark Kvetch
"I wish that I had known it was possible to get stretch marks BELOW YOUR KNEES … in addition to absolutely everywhere else on your body."
- Jessica S., Toledo, Ohio
Personal Space
"The touching, OMG the touching by complete strangers who thought it was OK to get all up in my belly!!!"
- Patricia N., Houston
The Scoop on Poop
"I wish I had been warned about the postpartum bowel movements. Not one person ever let me in on this bit of information. You get through laboring your new child into the world, then you get to endure what I can only imagine it would feel like if you were to poop actual pinecones."
- Chelsea K., Cookeville, Tenn.
Do Those Kegels!
Can the Birth Plan
"I wish someone had told me that 'birth plans' are literally a joke. There is no 'planning' involved with labor."
- Kindall H., Savannah, Ga.
Step on the Gas
"I wish I'd known how epically wretched pregnancy gas was beforehand. I've actually apologized to my husband once or twice (and he totally deserved the payback, btw)."
- Tammy F., Tacoma, Wash.
MORE: 5 Ways to Pass Off Your Pregnancy Gas as Someone Else's
Prayers for Poops
"I wish I had known that there would be days where I was literally praying—praying!—that I could just go to the bathroom. Pregnancy constipation is no joke."
- Marsha T., Johnstown, Pa.
Conflicting Emotions
"I got pregnant after many years of infertility and I wish I would have known how conflicted my feelings would be. I both really loved and hated pregnancy. And that's OK. "
- Molly W., Chetek, Wis.
Postpartum Nostalgia
"I wish I would have known how incredibly much I would MISS being pregnant. I'm so glad he's here and healthy and wonderful. But I miss those kicks and those tender moments of having him all to myself."
- Jamie S., Tulsa, Okla.
That Pregnancy Glow
"I wish I had known how ungraceful the last half of pregnancy is. That you literally have to roll yourself off the couch or out of bed, and forget about getting up by yourself after sitting on the floor. Also, the SWEATING. My goodness, the constant sweating."
- Shana L., Jacksonville, Fla.
If the Shoe Fits
"I wish I would have known just how much my feet would grow … and it's been two years, and they haven't shrunk back! If I had known, I would NOT have invested so much money in shoes!"
- Nicole L., Willow Grove, Pa.
Fur Coating
"I wish I had known that along with getting incredibly itchy from all the stretching, the skin on your stomach can grow a layer of fur. And this is not adorable woodland animal fur I’m talking about. It’s gnu fur. I was a walking petting zoo."
- Lauren G., Chicago, Ill.
