I used to find the public reaction to pregnancy quite funny. Strangers that would normally pass you in the street without as much as a glance, suddenly start giving smiles and quite often, polite conversation. A few times I even had my bump felt! When it comes to the older generation it is often luck of the draw…prudish or friendly. In any case, that was my experience. I did get a few glares (because of course, sex makes baby, gasp!) but the majority of the time it was smiles and “ahh”.

Family reaction was the most important to me. It did take my Grandmother a little while to come to terms with it I think, but from the word go, my Dad was amazing – even if he is still in the mind set that mine was an immaculate conception and delivered by the stork, rather than his daughter having ‘a love life!’ (Well, if that’s what helps him sleep at night!). I did on a few occasions have to remind them all that I was pregnant, not ill, as I’m sure that all those that already have children - or that are trying for a baby – did and will do at some point. It’s sweet really but none-the-less a little bit teeth gritting. Oh and how could I forget? The well intended advice. All I can say about this is just to remember that you can listen to it, but never feel obligated to take or agree with it. You’re the parent to be and it is up to you how you do things.

When I was pregnant, unfortunately mums-room wasn’t an option, but for all you ladies now, the amount of friendly users and support it offers is really a must. There are many forums on here dedicated to pregnancy and baby talk such as “mums to be” and “birth stories”, just to name a few. In my opinion, online friends are just as good as real life ones, and for the shyer lady, I imagine chatting with that bit of anonymity helps with the more embarrassing subjects or things that you perhaps couldn’t broach with a friend. So chat to your hearts content about pooping in labour and your lady bits!

Fellow pregnant women seemed to show a knowing and sympathetic smile, particularly towards the end of pregnancy when you feel like you are carrying a small rhino with a hot water bottle strapped to it whilst waddling around like a sore duck. And I found that when ever I went to clinic or the hospital, I would be sat there mentally comparing bump sizes, “Am I too big? Am I too small?” – You know, the usual craziness that the pregnant brain drives you too.

Tactlessness always (and still does) amaze me when it came to pregnancy and public/family/friends…I remember being sat there and a certain person I know “cough-sister-in-law” – excuse me – had the cheek to sit there and complain about weight gain with me sat there like a beached whale at 8 and a half months pregnant. I swear that I had even started to beep when I walked backwards.

The bottom line is that the majority of people are lovely when you’re pregnant. The most non-conformist of teenagers will offer you their seat on the bus, cashier workers will help with your packing and everyone is interested and generally nice. Waddle on with pride, ladies!