So apparently doctors are extremely careful about pregnant women getting sick. I have cold and flu-like symptoms, so I called my ob-gyn yesterday evening to see if there is any medicine that I can safely take. I ended up being on the phone with the nurse for about half an hour, answering tons of questions. Since I haven't had my flu shot this season, they are treating me like I have the flu, just to be cautious, I suppose because it is especially dangerous for pregnant women. So now I'm taking some flu medicine, Sudafed, and Tylenol, drinking tons of water (as if i need something to make me pee more), and trying to take it easy. I feel like poo, but at least its not morning sickness...yay...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Past 14 Weeks
On the suggestion of a friend, I've decided to keep a blog about my pregnancy. I am fourteen weeks along, and very grateful to be in my second trimester. This is my first pregnancy, and the point of this blog is to 1. rant about all the difficult parts of pregnancy, 2. keep people updated on how I'm doing, and 3. show people what it is really like to carry a child, for pure interest or for future information. I plan to be completely blunt, so at times it may seem like just a bunch of complaining. I'll start with an overview of the weeks leading up to now, and then every day or every few days I will update on my experience. I hope this helps anyone who wants to know what to expect, gives current expecting mothers someone to relate to, or at the very least, helps relieve some of my own frustrations with the less pleasant aspects of being a mommy-to-be.
First off, I want to make it clear that I am thrilled to have a child. I can't wait to meet my baby and be a mommy. But let's face it: pregnancy is not easy. I have heard women rave about how much they loved being pregnant, and I have to think they are crazier than me. Granted, I am only just entering the second trimester, and very recently got over morning sickness, but so far I have not enjoyed this experience. There are times when I am just in awe at what is going on inside my body. Sometimes I stare at my ultrasound pictures in amazement. But when it comes to the fatigue, the gas, the nausea and vomiting, etc, I am more annoyed than amazed.
The last two months have been...interesting. Like most pregnant women, my main symptom was nausea. I didn't throw up much at first, and I still haven't decided if that is a good thing or not. Sometimes I would wish I could throw up, just to relieve the nausea a bit. But then, when I did start vomiting more often, I wished it would stop. Its hard to be excited about having a baby when you are constantly plagued with an overwhelming urge to empty your stomach. That is actually what prompted me to take a pregnancy test. I wasn't concerned with my period being late, as that is not uncommon for me. One night, after three weeks of constant nausea, I texted my mom to ask if she thought I should go to the doctor. She asked if I had taken a pregnancy test, and I laughed at her. The next morning, when I could hardly eat my waffle for the waves of nausea, I decided it was worth a try. Sure enough, it was the little squishy who was making me so sick. I actually took three home tests and went to the doctor for another. From then on, I spent almost two full months either leaning over the toilet or wishing I was.
The second most prominent symptom I've had has been fatigue. Really, that is putting it lightly. Its more like extreme exhaustion. The smallest things have been completely wiping me out. I would get up in the morning and take a shower, and by the time I got out, I was ready to lay back down. I spend my weekdays babysitting my cousin's one year old, and I'm sure you can imagine how hard that was. I love watching him, but when I'm both nauseated out of my mind and so worn out I can hardly pull myself off the couch, it becomes a much more difficult task. I was always tired, as well. I took advantage of every nap he took, and took one myself. I am feeling mostly better these days; I have much more energy, but I still get sore and tired after doing too much.
Even now, I get sore very easily. My back is the main source, but it is also sometimes my feet, legs, and the muscles where my ribs are. I assume that is due to the changes, such as the growing and moving around in my belly. It is fairly easy to deal with, especially when I go home and sit down with a heating pad on my back. I've also been having gas (which is slightly annoying, but probably bothers my husband more than it does me), I've been thirsty and hungry a lot, and I have had to use the bathroom A LOT. I swear, just the other night, I had to pee urgently three times in half an hour. Its not even as though I felt like I needed to go, but couldn't. No, it would hit and I would rush to the bathroom, and the flood gates would open. Again. And from what I hear, that is only going to get worse, or at best, stay the same. Yay for six more months of rushing to the bathroom every ten minutes.
Now that I'm able to keep what I eat down, I am very hungry, very often. Of course this is just about the most common and well known symptom of pregnancy. Although, I read that the mistake most people make is that a pregnant woman is "eating for two". Realistically, I am eating for about one and a half. What I mean is, I don't need to eat enough for me and another grown person. The baby is tiny right now, and while he or she needs all the nutrients and everything that everyone does, he or she doesn't need tons of food. It is difficult to find a healthy balance when I am hungry so often, but I am working on that. I am trying to get used to eating healthier foods and not eating too much. I'm not going to lie though, I definitely eat more than I used to. Tacos aren't the most healthy food, I suppose, but that didn't stop be from downing three last night. Then I was hungry two hours later! I'm convinced that this kid will be a little fatty.
That's about all I can think to write about at the moment. I don't expect future entries to be quite as long as this one, I just did not want to leave anything out about my first trimester. I hope you enjoyed and continue to read in the weeks and months to come. Feel free to offer up any advice, comments, or whatever.
First off, I want to make it clear that I am thrilled to have a child. I can't wait to meet my baby and be a mommy. But let's face it: pregnancy is not easy. I have heard women rave about how much they loved being pregnant, and I have to think they are crazier than me. Granted, I am only just entering the second trimester, and very recently got over morning sickness, but so far I have not enjoyed this experience. There are times when I am just in awe at what is going on inside my body. Sometimes I stare at my ultrasound pictures in amazement. But when it comes to the fatigue, the gas, the nausea and vomiting, etc, I am more annoyed than amazed.
The last two months have been...interesting. Like most pregnant women, my main symptom was nausea. I didn't throw up much at first, and I still haven't decided if that is a good thing or not. Sometimes I would wish I could throw up, just to relieve the nausea a bit. But then, when I did start vomiting more often, I wished it would stop. Its hard to be excited about having a baby when you are constantly plagued with an overwhelming urge to empty your stomach. That is actually what prompted me to take a pregnancy test. I wasn't concerned with my period being late, as that is not uncommon for me. One night, after three weeks of constant nausea, I texted my mom to ask if she thought I should go to the doctor. She asked if I had taken a pregnancy test, and I laughed at her. The next morning, when I could hardly eat my waffle for the waves of nausea, I decided it was worth a try. Sure enough, it was the little squishy who was making me so sick. I actually took three home tests and went to the doctor for another. From then on, I spent almost two full months either leaning over the toilet or wishing I was.
The second most prominent symptom I've had has been fatigue. Really, that is putting it lightly. Its more like extreme exhaustion. The smallest things have been completely wiping me out. I would get up in the morning and take a shower, and by the time I got out, I was ready to lay back down. I spend my weekdays babysitting my cousin's one year old, and I'm sure you can imagine how hard that was. I love watching him, but when I'm both nauseated out of my mind and so worn out I can hardly pull myself off the couch, it becomes a much more difficult task. I was always tired, as well. I took advantage of every nap he took, and took one myself. I am feeling mostly better these days; I have much more energy, but I still get sore and tired after doing too much.
Even now, I get sore very easily. My back is the main source, but it is also sometimes my feet, legs, and the muscles where my ribs are. I assume that is due to the changes, such as the growing and moving around in my belly. It is fairly easy to deal with, especially when I go home and sit down with a heating pad on my back. I've also been having gas (which is slightly annoying, but probably bothers my husband more than it does me), I've been thirsty and hungry a lot, and I have had to use the bathroom A LOT. I swear, just the other night, I had to pee urgently three times in half an hour. Its not even as though I felt like I needed to go, but couldn't. No, it would hit and I would rush to the bathroom, and the flood gates would open. Again. And from what I hear, that is only going to get worse, or at best, stay the same. Yay for six more months of rushing to the bathroom every ten minutes.
Now that I'm able to keep what I eat down, I am very hungry, very often. Of course this is just about the most common and well known symptom of pregnancy. Although, I read that the mistake most people make is that a pregnant woman is "eating for two". Realistically, I am eating for about one and a half. What I mean is, I don't need to eat enough for me and another grown person. The baby is tiny right now, and while he or she needs all the nutrients and everything that everyone does, he or she doesn't need tons of food. It is difficult to find a healthy balance when I am hungry so often, but I am working on that. I am trying to get used to eating healthier foods and not eating too much. I'm not going to lie though, I definitely eat more than I used to. Tacos aren't the most healthy food, I suppose, but that didn't stop be from downing three last night. Then I was hungry two hours later! I'm convinced that this kid will be a little fatty.
That's about all I can think to write about at the moment. I don't expect future entries to be quite as long as this one, I just did not want to leave anything out about my first trimester. I hope you enjoyed and continue to read in the weeks and months to come. Feel free to offer up any advice, comments, or whatever.
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