It’s simple enough to find negative accounts of pregnancy, whether it’s from women who spent the entire nine months before the birth feeling sick, to those who felt like they were a walking sauna, or women who struggled to keep up with their other parenting and work commitments while a small human played bongos with their internal organs.

Stories recounting how amazing pregnancy is are not as readily broadcast but they should be because, for the majority of women, it is an incredible experience. Here are some reasons real mums have told us about why they loved pregnancy.

“An excuse to nap without feeling lazy”

Being pregnant affects your energy levels, especially during the first and third trimesters. This is mainly due to a shift in your progesterone levels, though a drop in blood pressure can also contribute. Being pregnant is a legitimate reason to put your feet up for a  twenty minute catnap in the afternoon or evening.

Young woman sleeping

“Enjoying bonding with my baby”

As involved as any new father is, there’s no way they can replicate the pre-natal bond forged between mother and baby. From the first flutter of movement to the odd bumps and ripples you get as your baby tries to find a comfortable position later in pregnancy, you are the only one who can fully feel their movements. It’s a magical, private bond.

“A good hair day everyday”

As well as glowing skin (thanks to a 50% increase in blood flow), pregnancy gives you hair full of bounce. Your don’t actually grow more hair while you’re pregnant, it’s the hormones causing you to lose less than you normally would, which leads to thicker looking hair. An added bonus of extra oestrogen and progesterone is that your nails should also be fantastic.

“Feeling proud of what my body can achieve”

Pregnancy may be a natural part of life – something that happens to millions of women every day – but that doesn’t make it any less extraordinary. Your body is growing a whole new person and that is nothing short of amazing.

“The anticipation and excitement”

This is especially true if you haven’t found out the sex of the baby. Doing things like buying a buggy, washing and folding socks and babygros, and writing your hypnobirthing plan is exciting. Visualising what your child will look like, picturing how your family will be after their arrival, and anticipating how delicious cuddling them will be is all part of the reason to love being pregnant.

Far from being something to endure, pregnancy is a state to celebrate. Flaunt your rounded figure with pride, relish in your increased appetite as you nourish your growing baby, and make the most of this time. Before you know it your bump will be a toddler, a tweenie, a teenager eating you out of house and home and wanting to borrow your car! Pregnancy is the start of your life as a parent. Cherish it.