7 Pregnancy Perks

When you feel (and sometimes are) as big as a house while pregnant, it may be hard to think positively about your current experience. But pregnancy has some really great perks!

• Eating for two!  Within reason, you don’t have to be embarrassed about cleaning your plate, going for seconds or ordering something you really want. I still remember polishing off an enormous fried tenderloin sandwich while pregnant with my first. It was the first real meal I was able to eat after feeling gross for those first few weeks. It was delicious. Seconding this perk, Shawnee mother of two Chrisann Cappanarri remembers the perk of “not feeling guilty for trying at least three different cupcakes at the cupcake store…multiple times a week.”
• Along those lines comes the perk of pregnancy attire. There really should be no thinking involved: yoga pants!  Remember to keep them around until Baby’s first birthday at least. Laura Loeffert, Overland Park mother of two, agrees, saying her perk was “not having to suck in the tummy! Elastic waist and pants are sweet!”
• Sleeping!  In all honesty, you are tired, and sleep is important—so take advantage!  There will be less of it once your bouncing baby makes his/her debut. It was imperative for me to try to nap during my second pregnancy when my toddler was napping.
• As women, in general, we can often blame our irrational feelings and occasional actions on our pesky hormones. But when you’re pregnant (and a new mommy), those hormones can be a tad more noticeable. If something is upsetting you, no matter how annoying it can be, you do have a reason!  So go ahead and watch the commercial that makes you cry or A Baby Story on TLC every day to help prepare you for the big day. If you wanted hot fudge instead of chocolate syrup on your ice cream, it’s a big deal!  Send it back! 
• If there are some social engagements you are not that excited about attending, use your “Pregnancy Card” as an excuse. Perhaps you’re feeling tired or nauseous or have been on your feet all day. Unwanted event avoided!
• Heather Weber, Olathe mom of three, recalls the perk of “parking in the ‘expecting mom’ spot at Hy-Vee. It was nice to walk a little less when you’re really pregnant and uncomfortable!” To counteract the stranger belly touches and random stranger comments, stranger kindness can be a pregnancy perk too. When your waddle makes you question whether a trip to the store is worth the effort, you discover that some stores and churches offer “expectant/new mom” parking spots as an extra kind gesture to their customers and congregation
• The kindness of strangers goes further, too. Alisha Drummond, Olathe mom of two, recalls, “Strangers are exceptionally nice to you. Opening doors, reaching for high items in the grocery store and making you feel like you are doing something amazing.”  

You really are doing something amazing too; don’t underappreciate the fact that you are growing a person, after all!

Stephanie Loux writes from her home in Olathe and fondly remembers pregnancy as an exciting time of entering a new adventure.