I was quite naïve about how physical pregnancy could be, I basically thought that you can have morning sickness (I was so lucky to not have been sick once!) and be really tired…I had no idea about the rest! I am not a doctor so none of this is a scientific fact just my experience.

Here are some of the aches and pains I had and some tips to try and get through it.

Insomnia: this has been the worse for me, it has gotten better and then bad again but basically I am awake for at least 2 hours a night, usually what happens is that I have to get up to go to the loo and then I can’t get back to sleep. I’m lucky that I only get up once or twice to go to the loo but being awake between 2 and 4AM is common. My mind just goes wild thinking of all sorts of things, not all baby related, it’s very annoying! TIP: make lists before you go to sleep, this can help calm the mind, get a pregnancy pillow, I was given one that is basically a boomerang shaped bean bag and it really does making sleeping easier. Getting comfortable really helps but for me, it’s more of a mental issue rather than physical and I haven’t found a solution! What does help is being on maternity leave because I usually manage to go back to sleep in the morning.

TIredness: need I say more…TIP: don’t be ashamed to nap when you can, eat as healthily as possible and keep hydrated. Coffee is not really recommended but when its that or falling asleep at your desk then have a cuppa!

Pelvic Girdle Pain: I had never heard of this but boy can it be painful! I am lucky that it got better over time but when it started I could not walk easily without it being agonizing. I went to a physio class at the hospital and they had loads of good tips on how to stand, sit up etc. TIP: go to one of these classes, wear shoes that ARE NOT FLAT, like trainers, I am convinced  the wrong shoes can make it much worse. Pre-natal pilates has helped and I am sure yoga would too. Even if it’s painful, I would recommend trying to keep moving, sitting for hours and hours is bound to make it worse. Now I still get the pain when I get up from sitting on the sofa but I am very grateful it has improved, someone women end up in wheelchairs it can be that bad.

Boob pain: I am one of the few women who doesn’t get breast pain around period time and breast pain was one of the first pregnancy symptoms I had. To be honest the only thing that I think works is taking pain killers, I cant think of anything else!

Last but not least INDIGESTION: thank god for Rennies is all I can say! I had not idea it could be so constant and painful, it also makes you feel sick. TIP: don’t eat spicy foods, don’t hesitate to medicate with Rennies and Gaviscon, drink mint tea!

Who knows what post labour pains and aches await….