You're Allowed to Not Love Pregnancy

Making Peace with Third Trimester Emotions

There's a moment—somewhere between the hip pain, the midnight bathroom runs, and the breathless waddle to the fridge—when it hits you: I'm tired. I'm uncomfortable. And I don't even know if I like this anymore. You might be staring down your swollen feet, scrolling through perfectly curated bump photos online, and thinking, Am I the only one who feels like this?

You're not. Not even close.

The truth is, the third trimester can feel like emotional whiplash. You're nearing the finish line, and everyone around you seems to expect joy and excitement. But what if what you're actually feeling is... resentful? Anxious? Over it? Society sells pregnancy as this soft-lit journey of glowing cheeks and magical moments. But the final stretch often feels less like a dream—and more like a mental, physical, and emotional marathon. And you know what? That doesn't make you a bad mom. That makes you human.

The Truth About Third Trimester Expectations

By the time you hit the third trimester, people assume you're floating in a bliss bubble. The nursery's done, the baby shower's behind you, and everyone keeps asking if you're "so ready to meet your little one!" They mean well. But under the surface, so many pregnant women are quietly struggling.

The third trimester often brings more discomfort than delight. Swollen ankles. Braxton Hicks contractions. Lightning crotch (yes, it's real). Sleep feels like a cruel joke, your belly button's doing things you don't recognize, and your body doesn't feel like your own anymore. Emotionally, the looming unknown of birth and parenthood can stir deep waves of fear, excitement, grief, and confusion—all at once.

And when you're expected to stay upbeat through all of that? The pressure can be crushing.

Mixed Emotions Are Normal—And Valid

Let's name it plainly: it's okay to feel conflicted. To say, "I love my baby" and also, "I'm not enjoying this anymore." That emotional complexity doesn't make you weak or ungrateful—it makes you real. Pregnancy isn't just about building a baby. It's about navigating a massive identity shift, often while feeling isolated and stretched (literally and emotionally) beyond anything you've ever known.

Hormones are flooding your body. Your sleep cycle is wrecked. Your organs are being shoved to the side to make room for this little human. So if you're feeling moody, short-tempered, weepy, or even numb—it's not just understandable, it's expected. You're not failing at pregnancy. You're moving through it with honesty.

Many moms admit it quietly in forums, group texts, or in hushed tones at appointments:

"I thought I'd feel more connected."
"I'm not enjoying this like I thought I would."
"I kind of just want it to be over already."

Let that be your reminder—you are far from alone in those feelings.

Guilt, Comparison, and the "Good Pregnant Woman" Myth

There's this unspoken checklist for how a pregnant woman "should" feel:

• Grateful (always)
• Glowing (constantly)
• Nesting (with a perfect Pinterest-worthy plan)
• Never complaining (because this is a "blessing")

But let's pause right here: blessings can still be hard. Joy can still come with pain. You can be thankful and still really want this part to be over.

Social media doesn't help. You scroll and see bump photos framed in golden-hour light, captioned with "Can't wait to meet you, baby!" And meanwhile, you're holding back tears because your maternity jeans don't fit anymore and the idea of packing a hospital bag feels utterly overwhelming.

Here's what matters: Pregnancy is not a performance. You don't have to smile through the struggle. You don't have to live up to an aesthetic. The only thing you owe anyone is your truth.

Reframing the Third Trimester Experience

If you're finding yourself counting down the days—not just with excitement, but with desperation—it's okay to shift how you relate to this season. You don't need to force joy. Instead, try making space for truthful presence.

Some gentle ways to do this:

1. Start emotional check-ins. Each morning or night, ask yourself: "How am I, really?" Name one thing you're feeling without trying to fix it. You can write it down, say it aloud, or even whisper it in the dark.
2. Curate your circle. Limit time with people who pressure you to be cheerful or dismiss your discomfort. Make room for friends or birthworkers who can say, "Yep, this part is hard. I see you."
3. Give yourself permission to rest without guilt. That means saying no to things, taking naps in the middle of the day, or letting the to-do list sit. Rest is preparation, not laziness.
4. Practice small grounding rituals. A warm bath with lavender. Lying down with your hand on your belly and repeating, "This is hard, but I'm doing it." Even five minutes of quiet can create a tiny pocket of peace.

Pregnancy doesn't have to be magical to be meaningful.

You're Not Alone: A Loving Reminder

Mama, your worth is not measured by how happy you feel right now. Your bond with your baby isn't weakened by a tough trimester. You don't need to smile to prove your love.

This season is stretching you—literally, spiritually, emotionally. But it is not breaking you. Every ache, every tear, every moment of "I can't do this" is part of your strength, not a sign of weakness.

So if you need to say it out loud today:

"I'm not loving this right now."
"I'm scared."
"I'm tired."

Let those words rise. Let them be heard. Let them heal.

Because mama? You are already loving fiercely. Already growing courageously. Already enough.

You're not alone. You never were. And you never will be.