PREGNANCY

8 things pregnant women wish they could do in public (but can't)

First published on Monday 1 August 2016 Last modified on Friday 15 January 2021

Woman sleeping on desk during meeting

Whether you're in your first trimester or your third there are niggles and side effects of pregnancy that make us feel pretty uncomfortable - and not our usual ladylike selves!

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Sadly you have to go about your day and try to hide some of the more unpleasant things you're going through for decency's sake (that and the fact that you don't want to look like a total nutter). But wouldn't it be nice if we could just stop fighting them and give in to all these things - wherever we are and no matter who's watching!

1 Trump like a trooper

It's one of the side effects of pregnancy we don't like to talk about but sometimes all it would take to feel a bit more comfortable would be to let out a nice loud parp!

It probably wouldn't go down too well on a crowded bus or during a staff meeting though - would it?

FREE NEWBORN NAPPIES

2 Sleep anytime, anywhere

How many times have you been at a meeting or out with friends and you just want to curl up, rest your head on the table or someone's shoulder and nod off?

But, not wanting to seem rude, you will yourself to stay awake and try to stop your head drooping forward. And you smile and try to focus on the conversation when every bone in your body is screaming at you to just SLEEP. NOW!

3 Scratch your piles

Ha- another pregnancy taboo subject - sometimes hitting us after birth rather than before. But, either way, it's not the done thing to suddenly rummage and have good old scratch to ease the pain and itchiness of your piles - is it?

4 Cry

How many times have you just felt like bursting into tears in public? Those pesky pregnancy hormones make us emotional wrecks. The tiniest thing can trigger the tears.

Maybe you're just hit with a wave of exhaustion and want to be at home in your bed RIGHT NOW! Or you REALLY want some Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice-cream but the shop is shut or you see an advert with a sick child on a billboard.

Moments like these make you wish you could sink to your knees and just have a good old cry right then and there.

5 Snarf food that someone else has got out for lunch

Those pregnancy cravings and hunger pangs can turn you a bit primal during pregnancy.

So when your colleague whips out a sausage roll for lunch or someone next to you on the train gets out a ham and pickle sarnie you have to dig deep and resist all your urges to grab the food and hoover it down.

6 Take of all your clothes

... or at least take off your shoes. Your swollen belly is all itchy, you feel all hot and flustered, your feet are swelling and you KNOW you'd feel a whole lot better if you could strip naked or at least take off your shoes and socks.

BUT a sudden striptease in the office (even if only to reveal your sweaty feet) probably isn't the best idea you've had this week.

7 Barf on the floor

When you feel that wave of nausea rising, you know you HAVE to act quickly. How much easier would it be if you could let it all go anywhere, anytime - but you can't and so you speed to the nearest loos (which you locate every time you enter any premises to be on the safe side.

Unfortunately, loos aren't always available and sometimes only the nearest bin, wall, bush or drain will do.

You still blush when you presume passers-by think you're pissed (at 10am) or recovering from a messy night out. Oh the shame.

8 Cup your boobs to give them some support

They're so heavy and swollen and you just wish you could whip off your bra and cup them in your hands to give them a rest. A boob pillow would be super handy.

Might get some funny looks though, right? Oh well.