We all have our ideas of what pregnancy would be like, whether that involves a lot more junk food, or weird and wonderful cravings.
But how many people talk about what it is actually like, without disguising the worst bits?
In this video, a group of women talk about the things they learned during pregnancy, including what they thought it would be like, and the biggest physical struggles they faced.
"The biggest thing I learned about pregnancy, is that it is not joyful for everybody."
The question is asked: "What did you think being pregnant would be like?"
"I thought it was going to be a magical time of rest and relaxation," one woman says.
Others mention not having to suck in their gut as being something they were looking forward to.
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The women discuss the physical struggles they faced during the nine months before giving birth, as well as the mental journey they went through.
"The fear is intense, the fear is present."
We're scared.
10 Pregnancy Tips I Wish Someone Told Me
1. Don't Sweat The Small Stuff(01 of25)
Yes, you'll fit into skinny jeans again (maybe not your pre-pregnancy jeans, but still), your hair will grow back and your skin will clear up so try not to stress about it. You have enough on your plate. (credit:Getty)
2. Don't Read Too Much(02 of25)
There's a never-ending barrage of literature aimed at first-time moms. Don't buy into it all. A general understanding of what's happening is good; reading 27 books is probably not. Your experience is yours, it won't be like anyone else's. Try to go with the flow and keep an open mind. (credit:Getty)
3. Listen To Your Friends(03 of25)
Friends who have been there will be honest with you, if you ask them to be. So trust them! Ask them. You are not the first person ever to be pregnant, and you too will live to tell the tale. (credit:Getty)
4. Don't Buy Too Much(04 of25)
Of anything. It might be a great sale, but buying clothes you want to wear after baby is born isn't always smart. You may lose all the baby weight, but those hips could be there to stay. (Also, your feet may grow. True story). Same goes for anything baby-related. Maybe your baby will take a pacifier, maybe it won't. There's no point in stocking up on things you may not need. (credit:Getty)
5. Take A Nap(05 of25)
JUST DO IT. (credit:Getty)
6. Relish The Waiting Room(06 of25)
Read a book, flip through a magazine, or just sit there doing absolutely, deliciously, nothing. Savour those longggggg minutes you're stuck waiting to see the doctor every, single, week. Those quiet moments will soon be a thing of the past. And you probably won't read a book for another two years (credit:Getty)
7. Don't Listen To Them(07 of25)
You know Them. The family members, the friends, the strangers who say, "Are you sure you're not expecting twins?" or "Are you sure your due date is correct'?" Smile, nod and forget it instantly. (credit:Getty)
8. Invest In Maternity Jeans(08 of25)
I learned this with my second pregnancy. Maternity jeans may seem expensive (they are) and not worth it for just a few months (they are). They made me feel like my old, pre-pregnant-self. And long after my son was born, I'm still wearing them because they're the most comfortable skinny jeans I own. (Just don't tell anyone.) (credit:Getty)
9. Take Pictures(09 of25)
I banned pictures of me. (Gaining 50 per cent of one's body weight will do that to a person.) But by now, I've forgotten all about being pregnant and wish I could see what I looked like. I'd love to be able to show my daughter one day that she was in my tummy. This doesn't mean you have to post them obsessively to Facebook, but a few pictures to commemorate the experience will be appreciated later. (credit:Getty)
10. Embrace It(10 of25)
It may seem hard to believe right now, but there will come a day when you think, "That pregnancy went by so quickly." So try to embrace it. Accept the compliments (you DO look cute!), revel in friends and family doting on you (soon, no one will) and marvel at your growing belly. It is pretty spectacular. (credit:Getty)
UP NEXT: (11 of25)
Foods To Eat And Avoid For Pregnancy
Certain Cheeses (12 of25)
Because your body's immune system is not as strong during pregnancy, registered dietitian Lydia Knorr says you should avoid anything raw, unpasteurized or undercooked.Raw or unpasteurized dairy products like brie and Camembert cheeses, should be avoided if you're pregnant. The following seven slides are foods you should consider removing from your diet. (credit:Christian Hacker via Getty Images)
Some Meats And Fish (13 of25)
When it comes to meat and fish, avoid raw or undercooked meats, poultry, fish, and seafood like sushi, oysters, mussels, clams and smoked fish, Knorr notes. (credit:Gentl and Hyers via Getty Images)
What About Beans?(14 of25)
Most beans and legumes are fine, but avoid raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans. (credit:Martin Poole via Getty Images)
Don't Spread It(15 of25)
Avoid refrigerated pates or meat spreads, Knorr says, because the organs used to make them are often undercooked. According to the Daily Mail, 90 per cent of common food poisoning cases are caused by chicken pate. (credit:JacquesPALUT via Getty Images)
Deli Meats(16 of25)
Non-dried deli meats like bologna, turkey breast and roast beef should also be avoided, Knorr says. However, some experts say you can eat these types of precooked meats (including hot dogs), if you heat them until the food is steaming hot, Baby Center notes. (credit:Westend61 via Getty Images)
Eggs!(17 of25)
Avoid raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products, including salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces, and drinks like homemade eggnog. (credit:sarahdoow via Getty Images)
Be Aware Of Sushi (18 of25)
Of course, any raw type of fish on sushi should be avoided if you are pregnant. "Fish such as fresh/frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and escolar should be avoided during pregnancy as they may contain levels of mercury that if ingested in large amounts could be toxic to the nervous system," Knorr says. If you are craving sushi, go veg! (credit:Jean-Blaise Hall via Getty Images)
What About My Coffee Habit?(19 of25)
You can still drink coffee, just make sure you are aware of your consumption. Knorr recommends drinking no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. A strong cup of joe, for example, can have about 78 to 108 mgs of caffeine. But be aware, caffeine can also be found in other non-coffee beverages like pop and tea. (credit:Cindy Prins via Getty Images)
But What Can I Eat?(20 of25)
In the next few slides, Knorr tells us the foods we should be adding to our diets during pregnancy: "Fish such as salmon, tilapia, shrimp, tuna (canned light) and cod are all good sources of protein and omega 3 fatty acids which will help with baby’s developing brain, eyes and nervous system," she says. (credit:rez-art via Getty Images)
Get Nutty! (21 of25)
Nuts, seeds and legumes are great for pregnant women — they're packed with protein and fibre which will keep you feeling satiated, and keep things moving on the inside. (credit:PhotoStock-Israel via Getty Images)
A New Love For Fruits And Veggies (22 of25)
These foods are loaded with all kinds of vitamins, fibre and water for maintaining good health, during pregnancy and otherwise. "Aim for the colours of the rainbow every day with special focus on leafy greens, bright red and orange fruit, and veggies loaded with powerful antioxidants to help keep your immune system strong," Knorr says. (credit:Maximilian Stock Ltd. via Getty Images)
Not All Dairy Is Scary (23 of25)
Drinking a couple of glasses of skim milk each day will provide you and your baby with the calcium and Vitamin D required to develop healthy, strong bones. Greek yogurt, for example, is also an excellent source of these important nutrients, and as a bonus, it’s loaded with protein, Knorr notes. (credit:amisb via Getty Images)
Think Whole Grain (24 of25)
"Whole grains food choices like cereal are a great addition to your diet, as they are fortified with important nutrients like iron and B vitamins," Knorr says. Many cereals also pack a lot of fibre into each serving which is paramount to keeping things moving during pregnancy — make sure you read your package labels and stick to "whole grain" vs. "whole wheat." (credit:Zeljko Bozic via Getty Images)
And All That Iron (25 of25)
Meat, poultry, legumes and spinach are all good sources of iron. "Just remember when eating a non-animal source of iron such as spinach or legumes, to pair it with a source of vitamin C, like oranges or strawberries for optimal uptake." (credit:Westend61 via Getty Images)