The Truth of My First Trimester

Baby P2 Dancing in the belly during US

Now, let's start off by saying this is my truth for the first trimester. Of course, all women have a different experience with this. Oh, and if you haven't heard yet. We are pregnant again! Yay for Baby P2! So, let's dive in!

When You See That Positive Test

My first few weeks of finding out I was pregnant was a mixture of emotions. And we were trying for this baby for a few months as well. The mixture of emotions is large part excitement to add another member of the family. And another part fear of another miscarriage. It's scary once you've lost to find the hope when you know how real the chance of miscarrying is. I am so thankful for the ability to become pregnant with relative ease and do not take that for granted.  It's hard to not let the nightmares of your past torment you and steal your hope. And it doesn't make finding joy when the future is so unknown easier either. It's a battle to fight it and stay positive and optimistic. Isn't that just life though? 

That Time I....

It can't be my blog without a sort of funny story, right? So, here it is. When I was about 6 weeks pregnant (too early to tell my bosses) I started a new job. Lots of changes, right? I had just finished all the paperwork and videos that go into your first day. I was feeling a little off that day, but I figured it was from lack of sleep as my son had the flu that week. As I actually get into the training into what my job will actually entail I start to feel so dizzy and lightheaded. I asked my coworker if she'd mind if I grabbed a snack. We started to walk away from the mat section of the gym and smack down I go to the floor. Thankfully she saw and helped lower me down. But, my goodness, you guys! What a surprise. I'm not really the pass out type. I've never fainted out of nowhere like that. I was so embarrassed...I figured it had to be pregnancy related. But, who knows? Then my blood pressure was crazy low as it goes with pregnancy. But, my heart rate was so fast. Anyways, I ended up having to go to an urgent care and get all the work up with finally IV fluids being the solvent. That night I ended up getting the flu, too. I did later find out after some googling that fainting is actually how women used to find out they were pregnant. I guess it's a thing. Quite a first day to remember.

Morning Sickness

Also, by week six the nausea began to set in for me. Lucky me, right? From week 6-12 my morning sickness lasted from first thing in the morning until about 6:30-9 at night. It was miserable. I am a huge water drinker and even water was hard to drink without making me gag. I just wanted to curl up in a ball in my bed all the time with a bag of saltines by my side. But, wow, am I sick of crackers and ginger ale now. For my friends with hyperemesis gravidarum, I want to give you all the shout outs because to feel like that for nine-ten months sounds like a bad nightmare. You women are seriously rockstars in my book.  

That's right..only way I could cook. Thanksgiving made possible by hospital mask.

Food Aversions 

Not sure if it's worse than nausea or not. But, my food aversions and advanced sense of smell have been rough. All of my favorite foods sicken me. Vegetables, meat, anything other than carbs was impossible to swallow. Not to mention every time I smell something foul I either do or almost do lose all of the food I had managed to get down. I'm still struggling with both of these things though I am technically out of the first trimester. Not sure if first trimester glow is a thing, but don't think it was happening for me. It was more like first trimester hit by a truck. 

Exhaustion

The exhaustion! It is a real thing that I know will be on and off throughout the course of this whole pregnancy. And it is definitely with me today. I have about one eye open as a I type this, so no judgements with the typos if you find any. But, some days it feels impossible to get out of bed like I know I could sleep another hour. And with a toddler that's just not going to happen. I didn't realize how much easier it was the first time. 

Always taking advantage of these snuggles especially when  feeling pretty bad

Migraines

Ya'll...migraines. That's all I have to say. They suck. For those of you that suffer from these things regularly I don't know how you do it. With Elias, I don't remember even getting a head ache. But, this time around I can feel a headache coming on almost every day and have had two severe debilitating migraines lasting up to two days long.. with a toddler and with having to work. They were so bad my eyes would be so bloodshot and painful. I wished I could've stayed in a dark room and slept them away. Life goes on. It certainly makes me grateful that these aren't a way of life for me. I can't imagine as they are so painful and debilitating. 

What's Weird

I am super thankful for these horrible pregnancy symptoms as horrible as they can be. They let me know all was healthy and good with the pregnancy. Which was such a relief. So as much as I'd just want to complain about them, I was grateful for the assurance that baby was flourishing in there. 

The BUMP

You guys...for me bumping early the second go round was certainly true. It seemed like at 10 weeks that belly had started to show For those curious, I did use belly butter for my first pregnancy just about daily. I plan to the same with this little one. Did it help with the stretch marks? I believe so. I am using it already for preventative measures and it helps make your skin less itchy as it stretches. And I totally already broke out the maternity pants. Ladies, if your waiting on buying them..just do it! Best choice for comfort and for just making the belly look more pregnant and less pudgy. True story.

As always, please, 

comment, 

like, 

and

subscribe.  

I love hearing from you guys! 

Thanks for reading.

XOXO, 

Jacqui