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10 most frustrating things about being pregnant

You’re delighted to be pregnant, but there’s no denying those little irritations you could do without. Here are our top 10 pregnancy annoyances.

By Lynne Roberts

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20 questions

You’re happily pregnant and minding your own business. Then at some point in the second trimester comes the daily barrage of comments and questions from friends and strangers alike. Everyone you meet will routinely enquire about your due date, the sex of your baby and even ask ‘was it planned?’

They will marvel at how ‘neat’ you are one day, ask how many you’ve got in there the next, and give their opinion on your choice of food, drink or name - without being asked.

Be patient, in a few weeks the tables will turn and you’ll happily bore them for hours with your little one’s latest achievements.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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The waiting

Do you feel like you’ve been pregnant all your life? Having a baby can sometimes feel like one long waiting game. At first you’re impatient to tell, then it’s one milestone after another as you wait for test results, find out the sex or reach the date when your pregnancy becomes ‘viable.’

Every twinge has you reaching for the phone, but as your due date approaches, smiles and waves goodbye you may wonder if your baby will ever put in an appearance.

Relax and try to enjoy it. Hard to believe, but a year from now you’ll wonder how it flew by so quickly.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Insomnia

You fall into bed exhausted at 8pm, only to find yourself wide awake for most of the night. Sound familiar? Pregnancy brings with it a host of night-time niggles, from weird dreams, heartburn and restless legs to endless trips to the loo.

As Mummyruth says, 'I can’t honestly remember the last good night’s sleep I had, I’m so restless and keep tossing from side to side.'

Avoid caffeine and rich or spicy foods before bed and try to establish a soothing bedtime routine, with a bath and hot drink to help you nod off.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Pregnancy fears

You wanted a baby so much but now you’re pregnant you can’t seem to enjoy it! You spend the first trimester worrying about miscarriage, and the last few weeks terrified of giving birth.

In between, you dread every test result, you’ve Googled yourself into every condition going, and every twinge sends you into a tailspin of doom. For some women this is just the first step on a long journey of protecting your little one.

As iVillager Nicola says, 'The worry doesn’t stop even after they are born. I guess it’s just a mum thing.'

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Fatigue

Pregnancy can be exhausting. In the early days hormonal changes and nausea take their toll, then in the final weeks its lack of sleep and the sheer effort of carrying all that weight around. Your body’s working hard so be kind to yourself.

Put your feet up, forget the housework and take time off if you need to. Eat well, drink plenty of water and get some exercise to help boost your energy levels.

Go to bed as early as possible, and if you can’t sleep at night nap during the day whenever you can – even 10 minutes will help.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Constipation

Constipation may be something to snigger about with your friends, but when it happens to you in pregnancy it’s no joke. It’s caused by the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the muscles of the intestine so it becomes less efficient at moving everything along.

There are a few things you can do to try and get things going. Try a drink of lemon juice in hot water as soon as you get up.

Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruit and veg, stay active and when you feel the urge, go straight away!

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Physical limitations

OK, so you knew you wouldn’t be kickboxing or mountaineering for a while, but you weren’t expecting to be out of breath at the slightest slope, or to struggle getting on and off the sofa.

And as your bump grows everyday tasks will present a whole new challenge – like reaching under the bed, or taking your shoes on and off. The upside is that you have a very good excuse not to exert yourself, so put your feet up and let people run around after you.

It might be a while before you get to relax again, so enjoy it while it lasts.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Mood swings

Emotional ups and downs are part and parcel of pregnancy for most women and you may feel over the moon one minute and furious the next or weeping inconsolably at the drop of a hat.

iVillager Lizcakey admits: 'I’m a hormonal wreck, either biting everyone’s head off or crying my eyes out.'

Manage your mood swings by eating well, getting plenty of sleep and physical exercise and talking it out with family or friends. Failing that a good cry can work wonders - but if you’re constantly feeling down, talk to your GP.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Food

Before you were pregnant you ate what you liked. Now, even your favourite delicacies have you running for the bathroom and food is a constant source of confusion.

There’s a long list of stuff you like but can’t eat, another of everything you hate but should eat, and a growing number of things you crave but aren’t even food.

If you’re really struggling to keep anything down speak to your GP, but as a general rule, keep meals simple, eat little and often and make sure you get your five a day.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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Weight gain

You know you’ll put on some weight during pregnancy, but when it actually happens it can still come as a bit of a shock.

Especially in the first trimester when your legs, bum and boobs are growing but you still have no bump to show for it. Relax. A healthy weight gain is between 10–12kg so as long as you eat sensibly you’re body’s just doing what it’s supposed to.

Squeezing yourself into too-tight clothes is only going to make you feel worse, so invest in some maternity gear, or let out your trousers with the aid of a bump band.

See also:
- The 10 hottest baby products
IMAGE CREDITS:
- getty images
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