By Kel Tan
Expecting a baby is no easy feat, especially with all the trials and tribulations that accompany pregnancy – from physical discomfort to emotional stress. However, being pregnant also comes with an unexpected bonus: it means that you can pretty much get away with anything! Here are 10 perks that soon-to-be mamas can enjoy.
1. Indulging your weirdest cravings. 
Pizza at 2am? When you’re pregnant, you’re prone to all sorts of cravings at the oddest times. This is perfectly normal: thanks to hormonal changes, your sense of smell becomes stronger, which in turn stimulates your taste buds. So go ahead and indulge those midnight hunger pangs!
2. Eating up a storm.
Of course, you’re also entitled to stuff your face when you’re pregnant. After all, you’re eating for two, right? However, while you do need to consume more calories per day when pregnant, it’s advisable to stick to a balanced diet to avoid any adverse health effects – so load up on the fruits and veggies.
3. Gaining weight.
Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. In fact, women can expect to put on anywhere between six and 18kg when they’re expecting, depending on their height and pre-pregnancy weight.
This is due to a matrix of factors: the growing foetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, increased blood volume, and a thicker muscle layer in the womb, just to name a few. Don’t be devastated by the number on the weighing scale, as you’ll shed those extra kilos after childbirth (well, most of it!).
4. Wearing casual footwear to the office. 
Swollen feet are an unfortunate side effect of pregnancy, no thanks to water retention. It can be uncomfortable to don heels and covered shoes in the office, so go for elastic slip-ons, sneakers and even slippers instead. If anyone complains, tell them to put themselves in your shoes (pun intended).
5. Being late for work. 
When you’re expecting, it can be difficult to get out of bed…quite literally. Fatigue caused by hormonal changes is another unfortunate side effect of pregnancy, making you want to sleep your days away. Plus, your growing baby bump can make it difficult to sit up or roll over, so getting up from bed presents a physical challenge in itself!
6. Skipping the bathroom queues. 
When you’re pregnant, the toilet becomes your best friend. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause blood to flow more quickly through your kidneys, thereby filling your bladder more frequently.
Plus, your expanding uterus puts extra pressure on your bladder. It’s unhealthy to ignore the urge to pee, so skip the bathroom queues – and ignore the dirty looks – if you have to.
7. Burping and farting in public…loudly. 
It’s those dang hormones at work again! During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause your digestive system to slow down, thereby increasing the amount of gas produced by your body.
Of course, the only escape routes for all that gas are up north or down south…leading to loud, embarrassing burps and farts. Try mitigating this by avoiding flatulence-inducing foods, such as onions, and by engaging in mild exercise to stimulate your digestion.
If all else fails, you can always just pretend that someone else is responsible for that unpleasant smell… (that’s what the hubby is for right?)
8. Experiencing mood swings. 
You could be shrieking with laughter one moment, and bawling your eyes out the next minute. Don’t worry, you’re not losing your mind – it’s all just part and parcel of the process.
Pregnancy causes your emotions to go all out of whack, again thanks to hormonal changes. Mitigate these tantrums by getting plenty of rest, meditating, and eating well (low blood sugar can trigger mood swings).
Do also talk things through with your spouse – after all, he’ll have to survive your unpredictable moods for nine months!
9. Going on shopping sprees. 
You’ve now got a perfectly legitimate reason to hit the shops, as you will need to buy new outfits that accommodate your ever-growing baby bump. After all, you can’t be expected to squeeze into your pre-pregnancy pants, right? Plus, you also need to stock up on baby clothes, baby toys, baby books, baby food…
10. Having your husband at your beck and call.
Of course, the best pregnancy perk is having your husband wait on you hand and foot. As a pregnant lady, you’re entitled to shirk some responsibilities, such as carrying heavy loads and performing certain household chores, especially those involving chemical cleaning agents.
Let your husband take over instead. Plus, this is good training for him, for when the baby comes along – think of those midnight feeding sessions and diaper changes, for instance. Then, he’ll have a new boss to answer to!
