Sometimes ignorance is bliss, or if not blissful then a survival tactic for this next life-changing stage. In order to cope well with the unexpected during pregnancy, it’s important to prepare yourself for a body and mind transformation. Here’s what to expect – categorised by what you gain or lose as there’s no in-between when it comes to growing and housing an unborn human.

You’ll lose…your dignity in front of medical professionals. Be prepared to be poked and prodded from the start of the pregnancy journey.

You’ll gain…weight (obviously) but also a new-found admiration for your body’s ability to stretch and carry a baby.

You’ll lose…sleep. Yes, pregnancy insomnia is a thing.

You’ll gain…an extra pair of helping hands to lift a heavy item on your behalf, and if you’re lucky and not wearing a baggy top or coat (you have to be blatant about your bump) a seat on public transport.

You’ll lose…your brain. It’s common to have suffered from ‘baby brain’ even before you become a mum. To combat this new forgetfulness, either take a notebook everywhere with you or set reminders on your phone. In worst cases write a note to set yourself an alarm to remember something. You get my drift!

You’ll gain…unsanctioned touching of your bump, even from complete strangers. Be prepared for a sudden stroke accompanied by “how far along are you?”. You’ll either hate or love this unsolicited, extra attention.

You’ll lose…some of your social life. Some friends will assume you won’t be up for a bar catch-up – each to their own, as long as there’s a chair!

You’ll gain…lots more hair, not just on your head. Prepare for extra hair everywhere including your neck! Don’t panic, you’ll shed this once you give birth.

You’ll lose…a lot of time cleaning and rearranging the house during your ‘nesting’ phase. Time to polish those coasters and fluff the scatter cushions.

You’ll gain…some serious, in-depth knowledge on prams and buggies and be able to accurately compare three brands without reminding yourself of the specifications.

You’ll lose…a lot of hours following fellow pregnant celebrities on social media, commenting on pregnancy-related posts on forums and researching every minuscule emotion and physical feeling.

You’ll gain…a new full-time job. Being pregnant takes up a lot of your schedule. You’ll be busy booking midwife and hospital visits, and selecting nutritious items for a weekly meal plan.

You’ll gain…self-respect for how strong you are physically and mentally. Going through the strenuous stages of labour is likened to running a marathon (except you can’t take breaks) and similar to breaking 20 bones in your body simultaneously.

You’ll lose and gain a selfish attitude. You’ll push aside caring for number one (you) and obsess over your unborn baby’s welfare.

Ultimately, this new life that you’re growing inside you is an addition to your world. While you may feel you’re losing a lot of elements in your pre-pregnant life, but as you adapt to mum life, you’ll soon gain back the parts that made you ‘you’.