I've been looking at pregnant ladies in a different light lately.

Just a couple of incidents that I've encountered lately which makes me think this way: firstly, they are beautiful inside out, secondly, they make the most of situations, and thirdly, they have a healthy appetite (this applies only to pregnant ladies past their 1st trimester).

I reckon pregnant ladies are beautiful, and most of us don't realize it simply because we're caught up with shaking off the nauseousness, explaining to others how many weeks into the pregnancy we are in, or simply trying to justify why a pregnant lady can go through tumultuous changes both physically and emotionally.

But rarely do we realize that there is an instinctive glow in us, that the new life forming inside us gives an energy that allows us to overcome all pregnancy-related adversities, be it vomiting, a dislike of a certain food or smell or even our husband's shaving cream or shampoo.

More recently, I have seen among my own circle of girlfriends those who have experienced previous miscarriages but have come back stronger in keeping this present pregnancy.

Which brings me to my understanding of how pregnant ladies make the most of their situations.

As a mother of one, and having been through two pregnancies, I do realize that even though our tummies expand and bulge like never before; our pre-pregnancy clothes give way to pants with pouches and tops with waistline bands and ribbons, and our lingerie collection whittles down to pure cotton functionality and beige maternity bras, we still carry on living like the world around us has changed minimally.

Granted, status-quo is not the right word to use, but pregnant ladies like us make change seem like an understatement.

And that process is progressive too, so that others around us have the luxury of time to get used to the new changes.

I remember feeling on top of the world when I was expecting Maegan, and that was the time when baby-doll dresses were in, and pregnant mummies had every reason to wear them without fear of others wondering if they were fat, or childish.

A hardy pair of Birkenstocks I had was a life-saver then, and I'm proud to see that it's adorning the feet of many a young teenager, working professional and grandparents.

Ever wondered how it became so popular? Because every pregnant mummy's feet that carried one showed how comfortable it could be, even for one adult and a child.

And finally, never try ignoring a hungry pregnant lady.

We can scour the entire Singapore for a favourite bowl of beef noodles, mee-siam or bird's nest (some husbands have it worse: chilli crab at 3am!) but pregnant mummies have the strangest and strongest of cravings. I crawled out of bed once, sat in the dining room in the wee hours of the morning to have a bite of salty crackers before I fell asleep again.

Case in point: give the pregnant mummy what she wants and peace will reign again.

I know I'm getting personal about the entire pregnancy issue, but only because I have every reason to be. I'm 10 weeks pregnant and it?s time I appreciate the positives of being pregnant, instead of focusing on the negatives. Afterall, you do get plenty of preferential treatment, both at home and outside.

And nine months of privileges sure makes being pregnant bearable and enjoyable.