Turns out, some women do feel better (healthier) when they are pregnant than when they aren’t.
I read a magazine article the other day written by a lady that had 8 kids and was pregnant with her 9th. She stated her body reacted so well to pregnancy hormones that she actually felt better when she was pregnant. At one point she was pre-menopausal and was looking at not being pregnant anymore, which made her very sad, because she went through all sorts of physical changes and even bio-identical hormones didn’t help her feel better. It wasn’t until she became pregnant with her 9th child that she started to feel like herself again.
This shocked me, only because my body does not react well to pregnancy. My body doesn’t even like birth control. When I was pregnant with my first, I was moody and exhausted all the time. My second pregnancy crippled me with Bell’s Palsy and my last pregnancy made me an irritable, exhausted mess again. On birth control I always gain weight and have mood swings., of course if are pregnant having ultrasounds is essential. We offer the best 3D/4D ultrasound service for all expectant mothers who wish to have an accurate gender reveal in Toronto. A Date With Baby, 3D ultrasound clinic in Toronto, Ontario, is a private baby ultrasound and gender reveal service in the GTA.
I am not looking forward to menopause.
I hate hormones. Kinda. I mean, because of hormones we are able to grow another human in our wombs. So I guess they are useful little buggers.
But have you ever heard of someone that is happier and healthier while she is pregnant? Is that you?
7 Real Stories of Women Who Felt Better & Healthier Pregnant
Here are 7 stories from other bloggers who felt healthier when they were pregnant. Their stories might shock you, or you might actually relate to them. I, personally, am pretty jealous of them.
side view of happy beautiful pregnant woman holding bundle of balloons at baby-party
8 Pregnancies & Always Felt Amazing
The first story comes from Jeanine, from Six Time Mommy. She should probably update her blog to 8 time mommy, because she said all 8 pregnancies were absolutely amazing.
I have 8 kids and I’ve always felt my very best when pregnant. Even with my last two pregnancies having gestational diabetes – I felt wonderful. I’m not sure if it’s because we know we have to take care of ourselves to the fullest when pregnant (which I often don’t after as I tend to the babies!) but I always feel amazing!
I love that she felt amazing even when she had gestational diabetes! That’s pretty awesome actually.
Purely Blissed Out
I love how Dee, from Cocktails With Mom, describes her pregnancies. She has a story many women can relate to. Her emotions were actually steady and she felt almost euphoric the entire time.
I felt my absolute best when I pregnant. No aches, no pains and was emotional steady throughout, or as some would say had no care in the world other than being purely blissed out knowing a tiny human was growing inside of me.
I know it’s different for everyone but mine were the best!
I’ve heard other ladies describe the blissful joy they felt knowing a human was growing inside them.
No More Migraines
Maureen from Wisconsin Mommy had a different experience. She struggled with migraines her entire life – except during her pregnancy.
Yes – my migraines disappeared when I was pregnant. That’s the longest I’ve gone without one since I was a teen. Then they got WAY worse after I had my son.
I wonder if her migraines got worse because of the baby crying, or because her baby turned into a teen? I’m kidding.
Clear Minded & Level Headed
Candy’s story is another one who felt absolutely happy while pregnant.
My self image was definitely higher and at its highest when I was pregnant (all 5 times)! I never felt more clear minded (even though I would forget things sometimes) but overall felt level headed and great about myself. I think having kids does a real number on you, mentally.
Since she felt this amazing with all 5 of her pregnancies, I believe her. My ability to enjoy pregnancies diminished with each one. By number 3 I was literally over it. So I admire her enjoyment of it.
No More Insomnia
Jen from Crafty Life said she actually slept better. Yup! She also said her skin was the best ever, which mine was too. I do remember my skin clearing up during pregnancy.
I was my healthiest pregnant despite the last one ending in HELLP – I had fibro & autoimmune that was undiagnosed unbeknownst to me at the time, but all my issues- insomnia, IBS, migraines and skin issues disappeared when I was PG. I loved being pregnant.
Even her IBS and migraines went away too during her pregnancy. Imagine that!
Balanced Out Hormones
Kara said she felt like her body was made to have babies. Her story is so full of joy!
Especially in my first pregnancy, I felt AMAZING. It was if my body knew that it was made to have babies because pregnancy seemed to balance out my hormones and was a huge blessing to my health. Plus, it made me be very intentional about what I ate, with no excuses.
What she said about being more intentional about what she ate is a very common theme with pregnant women and mothers-to-be. So that might have something to do with how amazing everyone felt.
Conscious About What I Ate
Our final story comes from Onyi. Her pregnancy gave her more motivation to work out, eat right, and restart her blog.
I definitely felt healthier while pregnant during my 1st pregnancy. I was working out consistently, very conscious of what I was putting in my body. Can’t forget to mention all of the positive attention was so motivating to restart my blog!
Why do some women feel better when they are pregnant?
There are scientific, medical reasons that some women react so well to pregnancy. I’m not a doctor, I just found some information online.
In fact, a thorough article on BabyCenter quotes multiple researchers from places like Thurston Arthritis Research Center at the University of North Carolina, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This article states that pregnancy can almost seem like a miracle cure for women who suffer medical issues beforehand.
Every single authority quoted in the article says that hormones are to blame. There are some healing affects of pregnancy hormones with some women’s bodies and mind.
Another reason some people feel better when they are pregnant is that they simply take care of themselves more and they get more positive support and feed back from friends and family.
Whatever the reason, if you are one of the lucky few, enjoy every single blissful moment!
My body LOVES being pregnant. I have chronic symptoms that only go away when I am pregnant and they are the most amazing 9+ months that i can remember because of the lack of symptoms. It is definitely when i feel most “me”.
My pregnancies on their own are rough given my miscarriage history, clotting issues and crazy puking BUT if feeling relief from my chronic symptoms for a brief time is reason to have child – i would… but it’s not. 🙂
Wow, so you are a little of both – you have rough pregnancies, but while pregnant feel the best health wise. I cannot relate at all, but glad for your sake you get to enjoy that 🙂
Ok guilty as charged, I’m that annoying woman who feels better when she’s preggo. my hubby nicely said “you’re such a biotch when you’re not preggo that being preggo just mellows you out and makes you lovey dovey.”
Sad thing is, it is true…
LOL Sam! I love your hubby’s quote. I’m way totally the opposite. My poor hubby dealt with so many mood swings during the pregnancy and even more so in the 2 weeks post partum. YIKES
While I was moody and exhausted while pregnant, I did feel healthier overall. I had a much healthier appetite than I ever had before, and other than the last trimester, the whole experience was enjoyable. Of course, I didn’t have morning sickness either. 😉
I didn’t have morning sickness either – we are the lucky ones! But I did feel more exhausted, and my body was all “out of sorts” for 9 months.
Wow. Pregnancy hormones are definitely bad for me. I would love to have one more, but since I’ve had seizures during pregnancy, or postpartum (or both) with all three, I am more than done!
OMG Judy you are not kidding! Seizures? How scary!! I am honestly kinda shocked that you even had more after having even one seizure, that’s just the worst reaction to pregnancy I have heard of 🙁
It’s really a roll of the dice, in my case. Two of my pregnancies made me feel physically better than I ever have. Two of them made me want to die. Migraines (never had ’em before or since), thyroid ups and downs, sickness, dizziness, depression, and PAIN. Thank goodness past results are no guarantee of future performance! It could be better or worse with every pregnancy.
I’ll still be having more babies if that’s God’s will, since I leave it up to Him, nature, my husband, and chance. :0) I hope for better pregnancies than my middle two, for sure. If not, it’s “only” 9 months, right?
I love your outlook Cindy! That is exactly what Josh and I did when we got married – we put in HIS hands how many kids we would have. When the doctor told me a 4th pregnancy might kill the baby, we stopped. And you are right, you can never tell from one pregnancy to the next how your body will react. I am hoping for better, easier pregnancies for you next 🙂
yeah, i am NOT one of those that feels better during pregnancy, I mean internally i am happy that i am pregnant but pregnancy and nursing and birth control all suck.. well, big donkey nuts for me.
LOL Jill! I am right there with you! I don’t really enjoy the pregnancy and hate the c-section and recovery. I’d be so happy if storks brought babies to me like they did in Dumbo.
Actually I have to say I am one of those people that loved being pregnant…but I had two great pregnancies. The only thing that bothered me was the fatigue but I dont know I felt so much better being pregnant….No I don’t plan on having another though 🙂
My mom was only happy when she was pregnant. She had 7 kids…I don’t mind being pregnant but I am happy when I am not.
LOL!! I can see why she had 7 kids then 🙂 I am like you, I am happy when I am not pregnant.
I know how you feel. Pregnancy makes me a crabby, swollen, mood-swinging terror! And post pregnancy, hormone levels drop so fast, PPD hits me hard. Like a duffel bag full of cement bricks. Screw with my hormone levels and I’m a flat-out bitch. I HATE feeling so crummy and not feeling like myself!
I can’t take any type of BC pills. Heck, I can’t even use Mirena (which the OB swore wouldn’t effect me b/c the “hormone release is such a small amount, it only effects your uterine lining”). So whenever I was pregnant and people commented about my “pregnancy glow”, I felt like scratching their eyes out. The idea of a pregnancy making someone feel better than normal is so bizarre!
I too hate it when people tell me I am glowing and beautiful when preggo cause I totally know the truth! I get all swollen too – and my backside becomes the size of a caboose!! It’s terrible!!
I am with you. I really wanted to be one of those women who loves pregnancy…just didn’t happen for me. My kiddo is definitely worth it all, but I’ve never felt worse in my life. I want to have more kids but am DREADING the thought of being pregnant again. 🙁
Finally! There is someone else who had issues with birth control too! Pregnancy is hard on me for so many reasons. I puked my whole pregnancies, was in labor for at least a month w/ 2 of my pregnancies and I have crazy blood veins that mean I have a lot of pain and c-sections.
I have the 4 kids I prayed for and planned for because I could hold my breath for 9 months;). But I am happy to be done!
I had a partial hysterectomy and that has helped so much!!! I had my uterus taken but my ovaries remain. The best of both worlds!!!!
LOL!! “happy to be done” me too!! Love the idea of a partial hysterectomy – no more kids and doesn’t affect your hormones!
*raises hand* I loved being pregnant. I cried after delivery because I already missed having my baby right there… and I was throwing up.
I didn’t have an easy pregnancy, either. I was extremely exhausted my first trimester, to the point where it was physically impossible for me to get through a work day without a nap. At 11 weeks I got H1N1. The cough didn’t clear up until week 25, and at week 28 I got pneumonia. Oh, and right around week 14, my nausea became so severe that I lost 7 lbs in two weeks. I had to take Zofran for the rest of my pregnancy. I also delivered just shy of 36 weeks.
But my skin cleared, my hair thickened, my headaches went away. I have PCOS and am insulin-resistant, but when I am pregnant, my body is “normal”. Not having diabetic symptoms is A-MAZ-ING.
I have a 16 month old and I am trying to get pregnant again. I loved it. However, I was exhausted, and I have assisted friends who have had rough pregnancies, so I can understand why it simply isn’t right for some people.
Jahnava, while I have no idea what it feels like to feel so amazing while pregnant, I am very glad that you get to enjoy your pregnancies so much 🙂 I am sending you baby dust! Hope baby #2 is here soon 🙂
I too loved being pregnant, other than the fact that I couldn’t drink! I felt fabulous once the morning sickness stage passed.
Missy, LOL at not being able to drink hehehehe!! I never had morning sickness, but sure had a plethora of other symptoms.
I definitely do not have bad health issues go away while pregnant. LOL. I’m in shoot me mode right now.
And Jenna, you have some bad health issues too 🙁 And twins? Are they going to put you on bed rest? yuck yuck yuck. Yes, the twins are worth this, but it doesn’t mean it will be any easier to endure
I feel so much worse when I am pregnant. I don’t feel like myself either. I thought I would love being pregnant but never have. I do love the newborn stage and a lot of people don’t so I guess that is my happy time…lol
I am just like you! I adore the newborn stage. All they do is nurse, sleep and poop. Can’t get much better than that! (but I know some people get frustrated with this stage)
Huh…that is interesting. I get all day sickness, sooo…I feel a little differently about that, lol 🙂
I love to be pregnant and feel great while I’m pregnant but I can’t really make that enough of a reason just to keep getting pregnant. I would like to have one more for a total of 3 but I don’t think I will ever get close to 9. Good for her though if it makes her feel good and she can take care of all the kids.
http://www.MyaMaternity.com
http://myamaternity.blogspot.com/
Hey, I just read that article last week too! I always enjoy that magazine when it comes. 😀
I LOVED being pregnant but my body did not, LOL! can’t wait to do it again!
Uhhhh, I am so not looking forward to being pregnant again…. I really want to have 3 kids (#2 is 4 months old right now) but I really don’t like being pregnant. And my pregnancies are not terrible. I don’t get bad morning sickness and it doesn’t last long but I hate feeling huge and awkward and tired. I hate how it throws off my balance. Oh well, going to have to get over it if I want another baby.
I’m with you. I’m 6 months along and I feel awful.
I actually did a search this morning looking for articles on this topic. I thought everyone felt great because it’s all I’d heard online and from friends. Thanks for sharing. Your post and all the comments help.
I’m one of those women who feel better pregnant as well. I had no morning sickness, was happier, and just felt plain old better after being chronically sick for almost 4 years with terrible jaw problems and three surgeries. I don’t what it is but all of that pain went away with pregnancy. Maybe it’s the hormones? I have no clue. I jut know that being pregnant was the best and healthiest I had ever felt.
I felt absolutely amazing pregnant, better than not being pregnant! I have 4 children and every pregnancy was great! ?
I actually came across this because I put in a search for people who feel healthier during pregnancy because I am one of them. I dropped 13lbs with in the first 6w of pregnancy (not due to morning sickness because I did not suffer from anything more than a hint of nausea ). After having my son immediately I lost all the weight I gained and was 2lbs lighter than when I started. Pre pregnancy I had terrible dry skin, my hair falls out way to much (problems since middle school), I have terrible stomach/digestive problems (suffered with my whole life), joint aches and some nerve pain(since high school). During my pregnancy ALL of those symptoms went away. It was an amazing 9months. for the first time in as long as I can remember my stomach was not hurting. which felt rather ironic. My son is now 3months postpartum slowly but surly all of my problems came back 🙁 I wouldn’t get pregnant just to subside these issues but I have to wonder where they come from if being pregnant can fix them.
I did suffer from fatigue and the normal cramps here and there but no mood swings or depression. which surprised me because I had terrible life situations when I got pregnant. But with the love of the good lord and support of my family I was able to work my 2-3 jobs (picked up a 3rd at the end of my 2nd tri), move two times, and handle the heartbreak I was going through.
That is amazing! Thank you for sharing your story, September. I know there are tons of others that will read these stories and yours will help them feel better 🙂
Pregnancy is such a strange and wonderful thing. The hormones change our bodies in such different ways. I’m glad you were able to feel so amazing, it sounds like your physical health helped you get through all the rest of what was going on in your life during your pregnancy 🙂
Thanks for the article. I have known people who love being pregnant, but that is not me. I am super grouchy, and nauseous the entire time, but at least I am healthy. I was very glad when my last was born, and I am very happy to have grown my family through adoption as well so I didn’t have to grow them all inside me.
Ive had chronic asthma since birth, it disappeared during pregnancy as did my crazy moods. I truly believe that hormone imbalances cause these problems and pregnancy, for some people, rebalances the unbalanced hormones that cause so many illnesses. Try to tell a doctor that though and the think you are crazy. I can’t even get one to test my hormones to see if they are a factor in my illnesses.
I too believe my hormones came into balance when I was pregnant. My changes were not just physical. I became more domesticated-making clothes, bread, washing dishes, being creative-it was me at my best. At 65 I want to be that person. I read this article hoping for clues. It hormonal is far too vague but it is good to know there are others who were better during pregnancy. I will continue to seek answers.
Hi Jackie! I have been thinking the same thing about how I felt my best while pregnant & am same age. Would like to know if it’s hormone related. If you don’t mind sharing any information you find I would greatly appreciate your thoughts & discoveries. For me it was the best 9 months of my life. It was my very best time in life. I felt so happy, balanced, positive thinking, clear headed, energetic, easy going, calm, compassionate & almost uphoric. No kidding & I was alone during this time. So not social influences I’m guessing. Something healing in brain & body hormones is my best guess. If we find it, can we bottle it??
Consider this article. https://www.everydayhealth.com/multiple-sclerosis/why-women-with-ms-feel-better-during-pregnancy/
I felt wonderful when pregnant. My energy was great, sex drive was unlike it had ever been before. Unfortunately it was an unexpected pregnancy. I was in a 10 year marriage that was on the rocks. Husband did not want to have baby, said it was “my child”. It was my first and only child. We divorced 3 years later. After giving birth I was empty, no emotions. I was a full time working mom, with no family except my husband. It was hard. The depression and fatigue was horrible. I made it and had a wonderful time with being a mom. Once I dumped the husband, the load was much lighter. Those 9 months were the best. I had never felt that good before or after the pregnancy. I wish I knew why. I have tried hormone replacement, antidepressants, supplements and never found the secret to feeling that good.
I just had a miscarriage at 9 weeks (2 weeks ago) While that sucked I realized that I felt really good those 9 weeks and now im back to being Depressed and miserable. I must be lacking some sort of hormone. I hate being this depressed. Every month during my cycle i get really depressed and moody AFTER my period. Is there some correlation with the hormones? I need to figure this out ugh .If you have any info please share. Thanks