

So, now that the cat is out of the bag...I guess I can finally start talking about all the things I've been through in the last 3+ months. Pregnancy in itself is a blessing, you're bringing new life into this world, starting a family, entering into a new chapter in your life...blah blah blah all the pretty storybook sh-t, right? Right!
But what they DON'T TELL YOUR ASS is all that comes along with that beautiful bundle of joy baking in your oven. But I'll tell y'all and you know I keeps it all the way real! So, for my ladies who are looking to become moms, for those in their first few weeks, for the nosy folks that just wanna know what happens, and for mamas that want a laugh with a little trip down memory lane, I'm gonna walk your through what you can expect, and what's been going down over here!
In no particular order of f-ckery:
1.Breast and Back Acne
Never in my entire life have I ever "struggled" with acne. Of course, in college, I had the typical bump that would appear on my nose or cheek at the perfectly WRONG time and I would be embarrassed beyond belief.
But this pregnancy acne y'all, is no joke and in the most awkward places. I swear I woke up one day covered in bumps, across my shoulders, down my cleavage, up my back. It has since cleared up but for a good month, I felt like a Braille map smh.
2.Automatic Gag Reflexes
So, I know that depending on the person, gag reflexes are just a thing. It can appear when at the dentist and getting work done on back teeth, or even while at the doctor when they are trying to test if you have strep throat...normal things. But NOT when you are just trying to brush your teeth, walk outside, or into a restaurant!
When I tell you it was a legit struggle just to complete normal oral hygiene. I recall a day that I walked outside and could smell the harbor water that is close to my job, and almost tossed my cookies right then and there. Oh, and don't get me started on trying to walk into Chick-Fil-A (which I have not been able to enjoy since I've been pregnant) or Mission BBQ. I literally have to stop once I walk in the door and gather myself.
3.Itching Boobs
You will never know awkward until you are sitting at work, minding your business at your desk and BOOM, out of nowhere not only do your boobs feel like they are on fire, but you MUST scratch them.
I got out of my seat so damn quick and ran to the bathroom, just so I could scratch my boobs in peace. Then, calmly walked back to my seat like nothing ever happened.
4.Hot Flashes
Yup, hot flashes are not just for your 55 and older club anymore.
My AC in my house is set at a constant 68 degrees and I have a fan at my desk, while most people are cranking up their heaters because they claim the office is too cold.
5.Hating Your Partner
This one was honestly the worst for me. The entire first trimester, between feeling sick, uncomfortable, irritable, and downright emotional. I really just didn't want to be bothered by anyone and that included my bae.
By nature, I am a very lovey dovey person and I think my bae had gotten used to that in our time together, so when I all of a sudden stopped hugging, kissing, snuggling, and in general didn't want to be touched, I'm sure it threw him for a loop.
To sum it up, I was annoyed and he was annoying (he's really not though), which was cray because as soon as he would leave, I would want him to come back. Poor boo.
6.Sensitivity To Every Damn Thing
Bring on the tears!
Want to know the craziest thing I cried over so far? Bae made me noodles and the consistency of the sauce wasn't thick enough, so I cried. Moving on.
7.The Brown Tummy Line
To my shock, in the second month of pregnancy, there it was creeping up along my lower abdomen. While it's quite light right now, just seeing it start to appear made me think: Wow...I'm really pregnant.
8.Juicy Cooch
LMAO.
So yeah, due to the increased blood flow and uh, I'm sure a whole bunch of other biological things that are important for the baby, a side effect of being pregnant is an extra juicy cooch. It's a positive for dad if you ever let him touch you in the first trimester, possibly an annoyance for you. I'm sure this all comes in handy in the second trimester when your sex drive goes back up.
9.Huge Areolas
-___-
10. You'll Be Nauseous When You're Hungry
But then you're hungry because you're nauseous. This never-ending cycle has plagued my first few months. My body literally would get to a point where I was SO hungry (because I was not eating due to morning sickness) that it would force me into feeling sick even more! It's dumb, just dumb!
Biggest lesson here is, try to eat ladies, at least something.
11. Your Faves Ain't Your Faves
Y'all... As previously stated, I used to love Chick-Fil-A chicken, like really love. You could pretty much say that we were in a committed relationship.
But ever since baby has been on board (I hate that phrase by the way), I have not been able to eat any type of chicken unless it's cut up in teeny tiny pieces. Even worse, I'm having a super hard time with fried meat in general. So, I've been neglecting my nuggets and can't even stomach the idea of biting into a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. *cries*
What has this world come to?
12. Gas
At any given moment, I am so gassy that it hurts.
I've had to abandon the whole "girls don't fart" thing and bae has been getting courtside seats to every sound and smell. Completely embarrassing. At first, I would run to the other room or wait till he was sleep but at this point, I've given up all hope. Oh, especially when we are in the car because the pain is unbearable -- I do kindly roll down the window and motion my hands in the direction so air will flow out. Sidebar-- if you ever see me with a bump, it's probably just gas right now.
13. Heartburn
I had never had heartburn before, I was not even convinced that I would get it because I had never had it.
WRONG! That ish comes with a vengeance!! Biggest tip, don't eat and lay down. But even still, you may not be able to avoid it.
14. Memory Loss
Ask me any question and I promise you boo, I either won't be able to answer or will have a pretty hard time delivering the answer in a timely fashion.
I can't believe this early on I'm having issues with memory recall. No matter if it's normal conversation or even if I'm just going to type something into Google, I often find my mind completely blank when trying to think of what something is called or what I was about to look up. Sometimes I feel straight up dumb. Hopefully, I don't have to give any presentations at work anytime soon.
Pregnancy is a struggle y'all! I had no clue what to expect when I found out but never in a million years would I have ever thought all theses changes would come so soon.
The craziest thing though is that I'm completely ready for all the other unknown changes to sprout up, because that means I'm getting close to seeing my little one.
In the comments below, let me know if you are expecting or if you're already a momma, did you experience any of these changes? Which ones were your least fave? Did I miss anything you went through? And if you're not a mom yet, let me know yur thoughts on all these crazy changes. Are you ready?
This story was originally published on ThePrettyGirlsGuide.com.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Deanna is a lifestyle and natural hair influencer hailing from Baltimore, MD (not from an episode of "The Wire" tho). Her comedic and keep it real writing style attracts readers that deem her a BFF in their head. But Deanna's mission goes beyond the laughs— through her social media she strives to inspire and help women of color embrace their beauty on the inside and out. Catch more of Deanna covering all things lifestyle, beauty, inspiration, travel, pop culture, and more on her Instagram @Theprettygirlsguide and her blog: www.theprettygirlsguide.com.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
There’s caviar, and then there’s Black-owned caviar. With the recent explosion of #CaviarTikTok, this luxury delicacy seems to be everywhere these days. I can’t scroll through my feed without seeing our favorite celebs and influencers diving headfirst into extravagant caviar spreads.
From Rihanna pairing her caviar with chicken nuggets (I wonder if our Fenty queen shares with RZA and Riot Rose or if this is just for mama) to Bethenny Frankel educating us on caviar with her series "Caviar University," there’s just no escaping it.
And let’s not forget the elite king himself, DeAndre Brown, indulging in fried chicken and caviar! From videos with caviar-topped burgers, potato latkes, deviled eggs, and pasta dishes—folks are topping everything with caviar. Yet, I had not come across any Black-owned caviar brands until I discovered Caviar Dream.
My Introduction Into Caviar
I started off eating caviar in undergrad on top of sushi, exploring with a variety of roe and tobiko but as an adult, I knew I was ready to try something a little more refined. The first time I fell in love with caviar was in grad school at a southern Italian restaurant in Flatiron.
I tried an appetizer that featured caviar on bruschetta, served with thick garlic bread and burrata cheese, and from that moment, I was hooked. That has become my favorite way to enjoy caviar next to this filet mignon crostini appetizer that I served recently at a dinner party.
Everything You Need To Know About Caviar Dream
Caviar Dream is the first nationally distributed Black and woman-owned caviar business, redefining how people experience caviar. Founded by Kendra Anderson, a Chicago based chef and sommelier, the company’s mission is to make caviar more accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers and demystifying this delicacy.
@caviardreamkendra so you’ve got your Caviar Dream…now what to eat it with? i’ve probably had cavi with just about anything you can imagine at this point {topped some fried cheese curds with my California White a few months ago and it was 💥} but i gotta say that i have some on my scrambled eggs every week 😌 no need to get fancy — just scramble your eggs however you usually do and scoop that cavi right on top 🤤 you can upgrade from there in a few ways: ✨ add a dollop of crème frâiche {see my previous video for a 30 second make-at-home recipe} ✨ sprinkle some chopped chives or green onions on top ✨ put the whole caviar / scrambled egg situation on a toasted + buttered bagel, croissant or onion bun! p.s.: i love our Smoked Trout Roe with scrambled eggs too 💖 if you try any of these combos, let me know what you think! 🩵💭✨👩🏽🍳 #CaviarDream #caviarforthepeople #putsomecaviaronit #caviar #caviartok #fyp #caviarparty #caviarnight #affordableluxury #chicagotiktok #homecooking #galentines #valentinesday #tiktokuniversity #cooking #easyrecipe #caviar101
What Caviar I Tried
Caviar Dream Kaluga Hybrid ($105-$420 depending on the ounce)
How I Experienced The Caviar:
For this review, I opted for a more traditional approach by pairing Caviar Dream's Kaluga Hybrid with crème fraîche, blinis, and my favorite Black-owned champagne, Le KOOL Champagne by Robert Kool Bell.
My Honest Review:
I do not say this lightly - this was by far the best caviar I’ve ever had in my life. It was buttery, had no aftertaste, and truly felt as luxurious as it looked.
Prior to this, my favorite caviar was Imperial Caviar. I’ve tried many brands, from well-known to affordable, while recreating my favorite decadent appetizers at home or enjoying caviar bumps at parties with my friends and they were my favorite until now.
Caviar Dream boasts that chefs are obsessed with this versatile hybrid, which tastes more expensive than it actually is—and they were right. This buttery caviar would pair well with any recipe, especially if you’re looking to impress someone or even treat yourself.
As a Black woman, a business owner, and someone who understands that an extension of financial wellness is circulating our dollars, I recognize the importance of incorporating Black-owned businesses throughout every aspect of my life. From my skincare to my favorite sustainable wine, my bank, and even indulgent experiences like caviar, it matters.
As we celebrate culinary innovation and expand our palates, let’s also take the extra step to support Black-owned businesses while doing it. So the next time you’re tempted by the allure of caviar, order from Caviar Dream—it just might become your new favorite.
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Feature image by Peter Dazeley/ Getty Images