Lucy May Finnegan x Ann Summers

Pregnancy is an amazing time, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we’re here to share the load. Our guest editor, the amazing @_lucymayfinnegan is pregnant with her first child and ready to open up about her journey.

1. What are your favourite pieces from the Mama Summers collection?

All of the robes! I have personally found while being pregnant that when it comes to my night time shower/skin care routine, I just shove on a baggy t-shirt afterwards. Don’t get me wrong it’s comfortable, but there is something lovely about putting on an Ann Summers robe which makes you feel that lil extra feminine and sexy! Also, as the weather is heating up, a lightweight silky robe is perfect for this reason & the new season! Kind to the skin also, they feel so lovely. I’m a big robe fan in general and seem to spend my life in them, so to have a selection of special ones to wear after a hot shower and a lovely moisturise is wonderful! I also love how you can match them with the Mama Summers lingerie sets too, got us pregnant mamas feeling sexy and special!

2. What makes Mama Summers different to other maternity and nursing bras?

I have lots of maternity bras in my drawer which are comfortable, but Ann Summers brings that luxury, feminine vibe back, so you can get your own sense of sexy back. I can’t lie, during my first trimester the last thing I wanted to do is put on sexy undies. But NOW, in my second trimester with my body getting used to pregnancy, I’m ready to get my sexy self back and having my Mama Summers maternity and nursing bras makes me feel GOOD! I look in the mirror and I think oh yeah baby! I think it’s important that a woman is able to keep feeling sexy whilst doing the most difficult but rewarding thing in the world. It is important we feel GOOD! Also, my partner really enjoys them - bonus!

3. Why do you think it's important that there are beautiful bras for nursing and maternity?

Because women should have access and the choice to wear something sexy and beautiful! The market is saturated with the plain and simple comfortable maternity and nursing bras, which is great - we all need them - but to look in your drawer and see that little bit of lace, a pop of colour, or beautiful design is important. It makes you smile, reminds you of that cheeky girl inside that you may have lost whilst giving your all to growing your little human. For me, I want women to feel beautiful always, and if the Mama Summers bras & undies can do that - then I’m ALL for it!

4. What are you most looking forward to about being a mother?

Oh what a question, this is a difficult one because I’m looking forward to EVERYTHING! I am having a boy and I just can’t wait to meet him, to see his little face and look into his eyes! I’m looking forward to showering him with love and teaching him all I was taught by my amazing parents. I’m looking forward to breast feeding, I’m looking forward to bath time. I’m looking forward to the tears and the potential sleepless nights because that’s what it is all about - the good and the bad! I hope I do a good job. I’m quite nervous being a first-time mom and part of me doesn’t have a clue what I’m doing but I have always wanted to be a mom and I’m so ready to give it my all!

5. What kind of preparation have you had to do for becoming a mother and birth - e.g. pelvic floor training, dilators to prevent tearing etc.

Since the start, I have continued to work out and done a lot of pelvic floor training and hip strengthening / stretching! I’m super passionate about fitness so remaining active and fine tuning my training to help my pregnancy and labour is very important to me! I don’t plan on stopping this until I literally have to (i.e., when I’m in labour!)

6. If you could describe pregnancy in 3 words, what would it be and why?

Hard - Pregnancy is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, I don’t know if it’s because I had the wrong expectation, or maybe society presents pregnancy in the way it just isn’t, or maybe it’s because my mom had two easy pregnancies, so never really spoke to me about anything different, but it has been SO HARD. Constant nausea & physical vomiting for 4 months, the fatigue, low energy, literally feeling SO drained. The hormones, wow…my mood changes every 5 minutes and sometimes I just can’t explain it. It’s like brain fog! You can’t rationalise & process things the way you normally would because there is just so much going on. It’s just hard, and I know everyone experiences different feelings and symptoms but wow, I did not prepare myself with what was to come.

Magical - Its soooooo magical, watching your body change week on week, not just your stomach, but your boobs, your skin, your hair, your nails - it just transforms and grows day by day and it’s so magical that Mother Nature really does that. It is also so incredible and magical when you start to feel your baby kick, you are really growing a whole human in your stomach and when you start to connect with them, it’s beyond magical!

Life changing - Other than the obvious, which I won’t go into, I feel like pregnancy puts so much into perspective – it’s like everything that you always used to worry about, just doesn’t matter anymore…and it almost brings you a new sense of peace. You just have your baby to worry about and all the silly things you used to feel anxious about, disappear. Before pregnancy I used to suffer with anxiety quite badly. Since being pregnant - from about 7 weeks onwards, I haven’t felt anxious at all because you just centre yourself. It’s a really nice calming feeling.

7. What has been the best thing about pregnancy so far?

Feeling him kick!!!! It makes everything worth it, all the sleepless nights, the sickness, the fatigue, the low moods / mood swings, the feeling of your life literally being on pause. None of it matters anymore after feeling him kick!

8. How has your body changed throughout your pregnancy?

Physically - we have a big belly! Which I love, I love my bump! All the other parts of my body have remained the same, I think that’s because of how sick I have been. Boobs have enlarged and my nipples! My nipples are also SO sensitive, my whole body is actually… its CRAZY!

9. Do you think some women may struggle with the changes to their body during and after pregnancy?

Of course, and that’s totally normal and understandable - especially after giving birth. From what I’ve read and who I’ve spoken to, women usually love their bump and being a mom but struggle with “bouncing back” after pregnancy. I think these feelings are totally valid but just hope/wish women don’t put too much pressure on themselves as they have literally just grown and birthed a whole other human! Be kind to yourself ladies, be patient & listen to your body.

10. What support or conversations do you think there needs to be to help avoid stigma and negativity surrounding women's bodies and pregnancy - can talk about the 'bounce back' conversation and 'getting back to your pre pregnancy weight'

I think MORE open and honest conversation needs to be had around this and pregnancy in general on social media, specifically Instagram.

To put this into perspective, when pregnancy hit me like a tonne of bricks and I was SO SO ill, I felt so alone! I’m used to scrolling on Instagram and seeing all sorts, but I was thinking to myself, WHERE ARE THE WOMEN FEELING THE WAY I DO?

I feel like pregnancy was just sort of sugar coated. Until I went on TikTok…then I felt SO much better and I realised HOW NORMAL it is to struggle during pregnancy and getting back to pre-pregnancy weight. Social media needs to bring more of the struggle to light so women don’t feel alone. NORMALISE the struggle. With regards to the bounce back conversation, I think women should do whatever they want to do in their own time… if they feel comfortable and energised enough to get straight back into the gym, exercise and healthy eating then that’s great. If they feel they have 6 months off just to enjoy time with their baby and not worry about a number on a scale or exactly what they look like, then also GREAT. Let’s empower women to listen to their bodies, be in tune with what’s right for them and celebrate that. I don’t want women to feel pressured. Girl you’ve just been through the hardest 9 months of your life, let’s allow them to do whatever they need to do without focusing on a body image and how quickly she can ‘bounce back’!