I think most people know about the dreaded first trimester morning sickness and fatigue, that can last throughout the entire day. Most also know that pregnant women need to frequent the bathroom more than usual. For me, this was the extent of my pregnancy knowledge, thus the only things I knew to expect during pregnancy, besides the growing belly of course. This is my first after all. I am not complaining, in fact, I am feeling better and better as I approach my second trimester. I find most of this humorous and wanted to share.
For me, pregnancy symptoms have been typical, but have included a lot more than the above topics. Yes, I have been incredibly tired. Compounded by the fact that for about two months straight, I woke up no less than five times during the night to either pee or just because I had maybe been asleep long enough to enter REM. Five times in a night was actually a good night for me and it was not uncommon for me to wake up in excess of ten times in the night. My pregnant friends were all sleeping 15 hours a day and still felt tired, but I couldn't get decent sleep! I asked the doctor about it and he shrugged and said, "it's just the hormones." Great. Thanks. Gratefully, I am now just waking up around three/four times during the night and can sleep for more than two hours in a row. It's pure bliss.
Another thing besides sleep that I miss, is the ability to brush my teeth without gagging and giving my abdominal muscles a work out from dry heaving. I am an avid teeth brush-er, but now I just brush in the morning and at night. Seriously, no one warned me that basic hygiene would send me running to the toilet with tears in my eyes. So, I am passing this little warning along to those of you who will get pregnant in the future. There is no magical solution to fix it, but it does help for me to eat something before I brush in the mornings. Don't get me wrong, I still gag, but it's just not as bad. Oh yeah, and it's because of the hormones.
The most embarrassing side effect of the little miracle growing inside me is...gas. And I am not talking about a little toot here and there. Nope, I am talking about stomach bubbling, can't-hold-it-in gas. I've come to apologize to Craig before I erupt. It's just the norm around here now. Gratefully, I don't smell up our place, but I do keep the laughter going and Craig doesn't seem to mind all that much (I know it's not lady like, but I really can't help it!). So, for all you ladies out there that are already flatulent, Lord help you and your spouse when you get preggo. Consider this your warning. Want to know the culprit? Apparently it's the hormones. Hmmm, I am starting to see a pattern here.
I was lucky enough to just have nausea, and not actually vomit. I really don't know if it would have been better to visit the throne to puke or to just feel queasy. There were so many times when all I wanted to do was just throw up, but all I ever did was unproductive dry heaves. I do know that some women need to be hospitalized from dehydration, so I will count my blessings. And speaking of dry heaving, turtle necks and anything else that touches my neck is not an option. The pressure of a turtle neck on my neck has sent me flying to the bathroom, not knowing if I was going to lose my lunch. Even my showers have made me gag...the water hit my neck and sent me reeling. And yes, it's the rise in hormone levels that causes this little side effect, too.
Running to the bathroom? In the first trimester? What? Oh yes, part of my lack of sleep was due to midnight visits to the bathroom. Apparently, the growing uterus pushes on the bladder at first, then moves out of the way. I think my uterus has grown out of the way, for now. When the baby really starts to grow, it'll be bladder pressure all over again. For now, I am enjoying the relief. However, I am thinking about taking up stock in TP. Technically, hormones are at fault for this too, since it's the hormones that make the uterus grow. But we'll give hormones a break here and blame the uterus.
I have other symptoms, but I will refrain from posting them on the blog. I do have some boundaries! If you plan on getting pregnant, or are just really curious, let me know and I may share. From reading my pregnancy book, there are quite a few more symptoms that I have gratefully not been plagued with...yet.
In the end, there is a life growing inside of me that I am blessed beyond belief to be able to carry. All the unwanted side-effects are just a small by-product of the absolute miracle growing inside of me.
Can any of you relate? Or am I the only gassy pregnant woman?!?
6 comments:
You are not alone! Ditto to all of that :) If the nausea is still bothering you, try B6 3 times a day. It's done wonders for me this time around - and at night, you can take it with a unisom to get some sleep and prevent the nausea from being so horrible in the morning. it's endorsed by my doc but you'd probably want to check with yours just in case :) i'm amazed at what a wide range there is amongst medical professionals about what is and is not allowed in pregnancy
Yes, I did extensive research on the unisom+vitaminB6 combo. It's basically a homemade bendectin, which is no longer sold in the US. I took it with Korben because the morning sickness was so awful but it did nothing for the gag reflex.
As far as brushing your teeth goes, for me it was the mint in the toothpaste. I had to find one that was very mild (I didn't try the orange/vanilla/cinnamon ones but would have if I needed to) and even postpartum, I can't use certain types of toothpaste without having sensitivity problems.
Later, you'll get round ligament pains. Those suck. You'll usually feel it when trying to roll over in bed. Towards the end, your hips will go numb at night from sleeping. And with my 1st pregnancy, at the end, sometimes I'd be walking and it would feel as if I left my leg behind and the hip joint would just collapse with the next step. I don't even know how many times I nearly fell down. Of course you know about the waddle. and the back pain. and the gas. Let's see... I didn't blog about a lot of the little things... and luckily I don't remember a lot of them. Stretch marks itch. I didn't know that until the end of my 3rd pregnancy and then I was shocked to find that out. Um... I'm going through the beginning of this -- around 12 weeks postpartum, your hair falls out in what feels like clumps -- Oh, and the linea negra. Totally sexy. Um, yea. I got Chloasma with all 3 that hasn't gone away yet.
It's amazing what God does with our bodies to bring these precious little people into our lives and the world. Take it easy.
two more things and I'm going to bed
1. Thanks for this post, it brought back a lot of memories.
2. Your memory will start to disappear after you give birth. Like, you won't be able to remember how long ago you changed his/her diaper or what side you nursed last or what it feels like to sleep or what life was like before you had kid(s) or where you put your car keys/cell phone. I call it mommy-brain.
Gratefully, my nausea has tapered off a bit and is getting better and better by the day. My neck still bothers me and I still dread brushing my teeth! Glad the post is causing some laughs!
All right hitting the 3rd trimester and getting sleepy all over again :)Take advantage of the 2nd trimester,your energy is up so its time finish all those little things before the baby arrives.
I can't wait for you to feel the baby move around. Feeling my son wiggle and squirm is the most amazing feeling, and it does make all the little inconveniences seem obsolete. We have been getting his room ready and I am so excited to meet him, a little scared about the birthing part, but very excited to meet him.
We love you guys-
Yep, Yep and Yep. As someone who was already gassy, Eric stood NO CHANCE ;) Maybe TMI. The gagging was worse for me with baby #1 than baby #2. I'm with you, never puked, just felt nauseus all day. But only with Cara :) And it lasted longer (like 6 weeks through 17?). With Micah it was weeks 8-12 and that was it! Yea for boys ;)
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