Two Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Pregnant

Trying to get pregnant is an emotional rollercoaster. I now am a family of three, but we went through some struggles to get to where we are today. 

There are many stories of people getting pregnant on accident, to stories of those who try for years. And of course, there are those who have to use extra measures due to infertility. Half the time you don't know if getting pregnant is easy or hard!

It is an experience completely different to every single person. So depending on your situation you can take my advice or not, but these are just a few of the things I wish I knew before my husband and I started trying. 

FIRST, it is not as easy as it seems. I read somewhere that the average time it takes a couple to get pregnant is around 6 months. It does not just magically happen for everyone. If you are like me, you had to track when you were ovulating.

When you got that little smiley face it was like you were almost pregnant! Every month you would do this and two weeks later you would take that pregnancy test only to see that it was negative.

Now I only did this for a couple of months, so those who take years I can only imagine how discouraging it is. All I can say to those women is to stay strong and you are incredible. 

The SECOND thing I wish I knew about trying to get pregnant is that a miscarriage is a possibility. Miscarriages are still “taboo” to talk about, but many people are starting to bring awareness to it. I had no idea how common it was until I was at the hospital being told I lost my baby.

That feeling of finally getting pregnant only to have it all gone is a feeling I wish upon nobody. But just know if it happens to you, you're not alone.

The first time I got pregnant I was so excited. I quickly grew attached to the little human growing inside of me, as most moms do. I was devastated when I woke up one day with heavy cramping and bleeding only to find out I was losing my little one. The worst part about it was the doctor was so vague and would not tell me it was most likely the case.

We had to wait 72 hours to take another blood test to find out for sure, but deep down I knew my baby was gone. I still remember driving home from the hospital with my husband and really feeling my heart break for the first time.

I will never forget that feeling. To this day I still think of all the things I could have done differently. I could have taken my prenatals better or eaten better. It is so hard to think it is not your fault, especially when you're constantly told it isn't.

It is so important to know the risks that come with pregnancy. You can not prepare yourself for the loss of a child, but you can be more knowledgeable about the process.

Have a support system that will help you on your journey, so no matter what happens you will have someone there.

I was so scared the second time around that I would lose my little girl, and I spent the first two trimesters in fear. I did not take the time to enjoy my pregnancy as much as I would've liked and I regret that.

My final advice is to enjoy the pregnancy process and don't think about what could happen. You’re making a beautiful little human, there’s nothing better than that.