Pregnancy Perks

LinziLoo09 · September 2016

So despite all of the annoying responses that we might get to our growing and changing bodies (or at least my general annoyance with pregnancy), I have to admit...there are some perks. Or at least, we may be able to use pregnancy to our advantages in certain situations. For example, a few weeks ago, I stayed at a Doubletree hotel, and apparently upon check in they give guests a delicious, warm cookie. During my stay I had the following exchange...

Me to Doubletree hotel clerk: A grave error was made yesterday.

Me: When I checked in, you gave me one cookie. But I'm pregnant, so I'm two people. And the baby ate my cookie.

The, very relieved, clerk then gave me two extra cookies. Pregnancy win!

I have a few other examples (most are probably food-based...), but I wanted to throw this one out to the group first. So has anyone else manipulated friends, family, or strangers in order to reap some fringe benefits during this special time in our lives?

aevan011 · September 2016

OMG @LinziLoo09 That is awesome!

We did a special kiddie excursion at Disney and they gave out little stuffed animals to all the kids on the boat at the end...I asked for one "for the baby" and got one lol. It was totally unnecessary but I felt left out!

I actually haven't had to use it to my advantage much, but my husband treats me as if I may break or explode at any second, so that's been nice. I'm pretty sure I could just claim bedrest for myself without a doctor's order and he'd go along with it.

LinziLoo09 · September 2016

Oh I've been milking the pregnancy to relieve myself of diaper changing duties for a good while now. DH changes like 90% of the diapers in our house. It's blissful.

kattyc-2 · September 2016

I'm loving the special parking at work!

penelope4612 · September 2016

For the first time, someone offered me a seat on the full subway last week. It's the only time I've been happy to be so visibly pregnant.

slartybartfast · September 2016

I'm with you, @LinziLoo09 - making the babies is a ridiculous job. Not to mention breastfeeding. Diapers are a tiny way to balance this. DH does all diapers when available.

I got extra calf massage when I got a pedicure the other day

phoenix870509 · September 2016

When I went on my business trip a few weeks ago on the flight up there and back down I got pre-boarding approved! I told them I needed an aisle seat close to one of the bathrooms, and I was boarding group B42, so that couldn't be guaranteed. So I got approved for pre-boarding and both times we were near the front of the plane! Score me!!!

ea301 · September 2016

The cashier dude at PetSmart offered to carry my two (super small) boxes of cat food to the car for me. It was totally unnecessary because they really aren't heavy at all, but very sweet. Also one of my friends greeted me with "you look fantastic!" yesterday, which I REALLY needed to hear considering I feel like an overstuffed waddling sausage.

karmba · September 2016

By far the best pregnancy perk I've had is pre-board on Southwest flights. Last week was my first time trying it - I had forgotten to check in so I was like C30. One of my friends told me to ask to pre-board so I did and it was an amazing decision. I only wish I had learned about it earlier! Now I only have 2 more flights to use it on.

temmetime · September 2016

I didn't mow the lawn once this year - DH didn't want me to, so he did it every week without a peep of complaining.

sourlemon · September 2016

Dh took over a bunch of chores for me that I typically do. He complained of course, but so far he has done the majority of: potty training/diapers, mowing lawn, dishes, trash,changing laundry (though I fold it).

I also used it at work to not have to fly in October. And, I'll be getting full mileage reimbursement for driving my vehicle even though a work vehicle is available. I said at 7 months pregnant, I felt safer and less stressed driving a vehicle I was comfortable driving. I had to get extra approvals done but the bosses agreed. I'll only be 6.75 months pregnant for the trip so I exaggerated a little. 7 months sounds more like a big deal than 6 lol.

I also bring snacks to meetings that people rudely schedule at snack time or lunch time. No one has complained now that I'm visibly obviously pregnant but they did early on.

slartybartfast · September 2016

Oh yea, I've totally used it as an excuse to not have to travel to sites for work. It's typically a group of men, out all day, limited restroom availability. Even though I could be accommodated, I feel like it would just be embarrassing. So. Nope. Not gonna do it.

sourlemon · September 2016

Most of my travel would be to Florida so even if my doctor allowed me to fly (haven't been allowed since 20w due to placenta previa), I would totally use zika as an excuse....even though I would be going somewhere that there have been no confirmed cases. I just don't want to travel.

Now, my previa has cleared and I can fly until mid October. I told my boss is was only cleared to drive up to 4 hours and no flying. I really just don't feel like it. Sometimes I'm amazed I even get outta bed and go to work.

BenNSarah · September 2016

DH has taken over all of the yard work and most of the chores and only complained once at the beginning. But I am so sick and we have so many stairs so he sees me get sick and then doesn't complain. Our pets also got fleas and he has done ALL of the work on the house to get rid of them which is huge.

At work people are always asking for volunteers to do things and be on different committees and I always get out of it because I am pregnant and don't want to drive that far, or I'm not making any other big commitments right now etc. My work did not approve my doctor recommended restrictions for how sick I have been so I will use the excuse where I can take it!

sammyl1221 · September 2016

DH is walking the dog which is fantastic. My dog is 95 lbs and pulls and the last time I walked him he pulled me hard enough to lose my balance. I regained it but DH saw and was like YOURE NOT WALKING HIM ANYMORE!!! Scoreeee.

dmontgo · September 2016

My friend bought me lunch today...then she also bought me a huge brownie for dessert. Mostly my friends have been buying me lunch, which is great.
DH also has been doing a lot of stuff for me...lots of cooking, he does the dishes, and helps with laundry. I'm spoiled.

KateH1216 · September 2016

DH has been the one to clean the bathrooms and the kitchen (without me even asking) and he always takes the laundry downstairs to the laundry room so I don't have to pickup/carry the basket (he's afraid of me falling down the stairs). It's been great! Also, people have started to let me board the train first at our stop and have made sure I have a seat, even when crowded.

And like several of you, I've used it as an excuse to not travel/fly for work. It's just not comfortable, so I told them no more after August. Nobody even questioned it! I say use it to our advantage when we can...creating humans is hard work!

Mamax2 · September 2016

Like a lot of you, DH has really raken on the load of cleaning. I haven't had to clean a bathroom once since finding out I was pregnant. He'll do the laundry as well, if he gets a day off. I still cook and load the dishwasher, but he unloads it.

BenNSarah · September 2016

I have another one. Last night I took my dog to the groomer. She is a yellow lab and is full grown but is very much still in her hyper puppy phase when she gets out of the house/our property/around strangers and she is so strong... Last night when we were done they offered to take her to the car for me because she is so crazy. She has been going there for three years and they have never offered before.

Austenista · September 2016

DH has is doing a lot more these days too, and I have been paying him in back-rubs and kisses. He scolds me for lifting laundry baskets, and wants to do that for me (unnecessary but it's cute). He's taken over cleaning the toilets and bathtubs, and vacuums for me. He'll do any chore I haven't gotten around to (and lets be honest lately that could be anything and everything) and he never complains. He comes home from work and helps me make dinner if I ask, and never gets annoyed to help. He's pretty much amazing, that one.

Blockfour · September 2016

The only thing is the litter box but my husband is so lax about doing it that I wish I could...

I have milked it a bit at work when it comes to moving hardware around (I'm PC support). I could, probably, move those computers but since you offered... lol.

cgss11 · September 2016

DH offers to do a lot more, but I haven't taken him up on it. I end up feeling bad because he works much longer hours than I do. He has stopped on his way home to get me various foods though, and he's always thoughtful when we're out on the weekends because he knows I get tired early in the evenings.

R0824H · September 2016

Love this thread!

I do love using the closer parking spot at grocery stores and other places. The pregnancy card gets me nowhere with DH usually lol. Although at work I'll go to do something and people will be like "let me do that for you!" So then I just sit back down and chill.

PharmDMom · September 2016

In retail pharmacy it's pretty much a faux pas to sit down at all during your shift. Actually, some pharmacies don't even have any chairs in the department. Thankfully one of my other pharmacists was pregnant last year so we got a nice office chair during her pregnancy. So I've been using it since first tri. Not the whole shift bc that's not possible or practical, but I can't work for more than 4 hours without sitting down for a while, so sit I shall!

I have had so much discomfort this time around so DH is helping extra with bathing DS and DD, putting them to bed, picking up toys etc. Those are the things that take the most energy for me and I'm so glad to have help with. We have also eaten out a little more than usual over the past 6 months since DH can't cook a thing and sometimes I'm just too spent by dinner time.

If people want to carry or pick up something for me at work or when I'm out, I gladly take the help. I also park at the expectant mothers parking spots where available. This is my last pregnancy so my OB told me yesterday to "live up the special treatment" since I'll never get it again. lol

mysteryship · September 2016

If nothing else, pregnancy has taught me to accept help more gracefully. I let other vendors at the market help me with my tent and loading/unloading my truck when normally I would insist on doing it myself.

DH has mostly taken over the chore of tiring out our dogs, which is huge.

ashleaf2018 · September 2016

My teachers all have no food/drink rules, except in my case. Lol part of that is because I have to eat every 2-3 hours to help prevent getting sick, so I can't have like a full meal in class but I usually bring crackers or a granola bar with me, and a Gatorade or ginger ale. Also when I had to go get IV therapy last Wednesday, I ended up missing my Thursday class and she cancelled class on Tuesday which I had a speech due, so today she postponed my speech until next Thursday even though I had it done. Most of my teachers have been really awesome about everything.

princesslockness · September 2016

@ashleaf2018 Nice!!!

I am loving the obvious bump. At the bread line(expired/soon to be expired stuff the stores toss) I am not allowed to stand unless I am filling my basket. Plus I get extra whole milk and an extra lactose free milk.

Want a personalized experience?

Pregnancy Perks

Re: Pregnancy Perks

Choose Another Board

Search Boards