For those who want an honest and realistic picture of pregnancy, birth and raising three kids, then take a look at my #pregnancydiary and feel free get in touch with any comments, questions or suggestions.
- Who can forget this scene from ‘Knocked Up’? – “You old, she pregnant. Can’t have a bunch of old pregnant bitches running around. That’s crazy.”
The 'Tina Turner hairdo'
I was 29 years old when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter and my friends and I were starting to celebrate turning 30. One of my best friends had an 80s themed celebration at a club in central London.
My husband wasn’t really too happy about me going and my family thought I was a bit nuts, especially as I went dressed as Tina Turner! For some reason this made me determined to go and have a good time. I thought it was a great idea and imagined myself dancing away living it up one of my last few nights of freedom.
The 'vunerable moment'
In reality I felt very vulnerable In a packed club with drunk/high ravers swaying precariously around me. Plus my feet started to hurt after dancing for fifteen minutes. All I wanted to do was to lie down in a corner.
A lot of people on the dance floor looked at me like I was mental and one guy actually told me “this is no place for a baby!”. Who the hell did he think he was?! I would have slapped him if I didn’t secretly agree with him.
The 'scares'
The day after that it was another friends surprise party, this time a private party in a restaurant, but there I was again on the dance floor bopping to bhangra. The next day I didn’t feel the baby move much all day and ended up in hospital strapped to a machine that monitors the baby’s heartbeat.
It turns out everything was fine, the baby was probably just as partied out as I was! Oh then there was that time when I was coming back from an afternoon tea and tripped on the heels of my cowboy boots. I literally bounced across the pavement and ended up in hospital again. I was quite shaken and was convinced I had hurt the baby but everything was fine. I stuck to flat shoes after that and my mum and grandma forbid me from going anywhere unless it was with my husband!
The 'lessons learned'
The second time around I don’t remember going out much. I had a one year old to look after too so that might have something to do with it….that and the fact that I’d come to my senses.
During this pregnancy the thought of clubbing while heavily pregnant makes me feel ill and I really wouldn’t advise any mums to be to do it. It’s just not worth the risk.
The 'relapse'
A couple of days ago I went to a concert at Hammersmith Apollo. There were around 4000 people there and it was part of my job to be there. Once again hubby wasn’t pleased but I assured him it was fine because I was in the seated area and I travelled there with a friend. I forgot how loud concerts were and was a bit worried I might be damaging the baby’s hearing! I’m sure that amniotic fluid offers some kind out sound insulation though (I hope!). I left before the end to avoid the crowds. It was an amazing night and I’m glad went but I don’t think I would have gone if I had a standing only ticket.
The 'conclusion'
Now I’m listening to my husband (for once!) about scaling back my excursions. It’s still good to go out and about… a night out at the cinema, dinner, even a house party (all of them while wearing flat shoes please!) but being around crowds who are a bit merry is a no-no. It’s not for ever, the clubs will still be there after baby is born….if mum can keep her eyes open past 10pm!