Pregnancy diaries // Fiona McCaffrey
- Jan 26
- 3 min read
Name: Fiona McCaffrey
How many weeks? 26 weeks pregnant
Tell us about the moment you found out you were pregnant…
It was such a whirlwind finding out as I tested super early, I wasn’t expecting anything as we had just started trying, so we were very much at the start of our journey. My husband had just got back from a 36 hour shift working on site at an event so he was dead, it was around 6am in the morning and I took the test “just to see” and when I saw the line I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do. We were in shock for most of the day and flew the next day to the UK, it really only sunk in properly when we got to his mum’s house and we told her and I saw her tears of joy.
How are you feeling, really?
Pregnancy has been such an interesting journey for me because honestly I haven’t loved it as much as I thought I would. You see all these “gratitude” posts on Tiktok and Instagram from wholesome mum influencers who really give you a false reality of what pregnancy is like.
I had an amazing first trimester with no morning sickness and I know I was very lucky to have avoided it and when you look at it, I’ve had a pretty awesome pregnancy, equally pregnancy changes your body, it changes who you are, it changes your pace in life and i’ve found that side of it hard.
As we get towards the third trimester, I’m feeling so much better as I suppose I’ve got used to pregnancy and we’re in the home stretch. I’ve made peace with not sleeping that well, the aches and pains and learning how to listen to my body more and not get frustrated if I have to drop a workout or rest when I need to.
Don’t get me wrong I still complain and I think that’s ok, why shouldn’t we complain? We’re literally growing an entire human and still have to go to work and be a normal person.
What’s surprised you most so far?
How much crap there is on social media and how much people believe it and I was one of those people.
I honestly convinced myself I wouldn’t be get pregnant because TikTok told me I wouldn’t. I thought I would get the worst morning sickness and be in bed for three months, and I wasn't. It scared me off lifting weights for the first few weeks until I realised I was being so stupid and of course you can lift weights and exercise as normal if that’s what you were doing beforehand.
It’s terrifying how much misinformation there is and also how much personal opinion people peddle as the law. One pregnancy is not the same as another and just because someone was sick does not mean that another woman will be. Outlandish generalisations – either positive or negative – like "lifting weights causes XYZ" – are just not true.
What advice have you ignored?
I haven’t been super strict about all the food advice only when my best friend’s mum, who I trust completely and is a midwife, (shout out to you, Rach!) says to listen to it. e.g. don't eat raw fish. But I have been having runny organic eggs and medium rare steak that I’ve made at home.
What’s been unexpectedly comforting?
The way my husband has taken to pending fatherhood. Knowing I have someone who is completely and utterly in this with me and by my side has been such a comfort and a total rock on those tough days. He really deserves a medal as I really can complain and I keep him awake at night tossing and turning, but he doesn’t say a thing and only ever puts me first which I feel so lucky to have.
What’s one thing you wish people understood?
Each pregnancy is different the same way each woman is different. It really doesn’t matter which way you do it as it’s such a personal journey.
Brands and services I’ve LOVED during pregnancy:
I bought their activewear pre-pregnancy and the material is so soft that everything has stretched with me, saving me from buying maternity gear.
I love their amazing jumpsuits for casual wear and they also do great nursing sports bras if, like me, you detest a normal bra.
This woman's lymphatic drainage massages are absolutely magic. I thought I was just fat but it turns out I was just swollen.
They are wonderful for an at home proper pregnancy massage – they provide everything you need to feel comfortable including the correct bed, oils etc.
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