Deliciously Ella shares her 10 ‘realities of pregnancy’

Ella Mills, 27, who is expecting her first baby this summer told her 1.5 million Instagram followers that although being pregnant is ‘completely magic’, the first few months had left her feeling anxious.

She spent a lot of time questioning herself: ‘Am I eating right, moving right, is a bath okay or not, should I be feeling something yet, is my bump the right size and all the rest... Literally questioning and worrying all day, feeling a deep sense of responsibility from day one, with the first 12 weeks being especially scary.' 

She also shared her experience of ‘dodgy digestion, burping, farting, bloating, heartburn, constipation, reflux and sick burps’ as well as sickness.

At Tommy’s, we know that pregnancy can have its highs and lows. It’s common for women to experience symptoms like Ella’s, including sickness, cramp and indigestion in the first trimester. But try not to worry. These symptoms may be uncomfortable, but they are not harmful to you or the baby. You can find out what to expect in our week-by-week pregnancy calendar. Some common symptoms you may experience include:

• feeling hot – this is because your body pumps more blood in pregnancy
• mild headaches – these are caused by hormones
• swollen ankles, hands and feet – this is because your body holds more water during pregnancy
• mild stomach pain in early pregnancy – this is usually caused by womb expanding, the ligaments stretching as your bump grows, hormones, constipation or trapped wind.

We believe in empowering women to understand what is happening within their bodies and to know when to ask for extra care. Our pregnancy symptom checker includes information about important symptoms you should look out for, including:

• stomach pain 
• bleeding
• baby moving less
• discharge
• itching
• diarrhoea and vomiting
• severe headache
• swollen hands/feet
• vision problems
• high temperature
• baby not getting bigger
• painful urination. 

In many cases, the symptoms can be easily treated and will not lead to a serious complication. But sometimes they are signs of something more serious.

Tommy’s midwife, Anna, says: ‘Everyone’s experience of pregnancy is different, and women can expect to have or not have different symptoms. We have lots of information on symptoms online and advice on when to contact your midwife.’

Don’t forget that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It’s normal to feel some anxiety and stress but if it is ongoing, speak to your GP or midwife. They are there to help you. Exercise, such as yoga, can help reduce anxiety and is a great way to stay active during pregnancy too.

Track your baby’s development

You can sign up to a free pregnancy email from our midwives to track your baby’s development and give you reminders or all you need to know during the nine months of pregnancy. You can sign up to the email here.