PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS I WAS COMPLETELY UNPREPARED FOR - the first trimester
I admit it. Despite two of my close friends having had babies in the past 18 months, and my sister having not one, but TWO babies in the past 3 years, it turns out I was BLISSFULLY ignorant of the multitude of pregnancy symptoms that mums-to-be experience. Here I was, thinking that I would suffer from a bit of morning sickness, have a belly pretty much straight away, be all a-glow, and that would be pretty much it! Poor, poor, misguided ignorant fool. Google has been my constant companion for the past three months (and will be, no doubt, as new, more "exciting" symptoms emerge) and I shudder to think what those poor folks at Google (and my work IT department) now know about the most intimate parts of me.
Here I will chronicle the symptoms that I personally experienced - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's different for every Mum - but hopefully it prepares someone out there! If not, then I have more things for baby to be embarrassed about once he or she is in the world. And public service warning right now - this is likely to be WAY too much information for most of you to want to know about me. Perhaps just try and depersonalise the information, hmmmmm?
FIRST TRIMESTER SYMPTOMS (roughly in order):
1. Fatigue. That one word doesn't adequately describe the bone-crushing, spirit-sapping, IQ-lowering, level of sheer and utter EXHAUSTION that I felt at times. Baby was still under the size of a lime but OH EM GEE I'm not sure what Baby was doing in there to use up all of Mummy's energy. Running miniature foetus marathons whilst concurrently being POTUS (President Of The UteruS) perhaps. In weeks 7 and 8 I had two car accidents due to being tired- one I ran up the back of another car whilst coming off the Eastern freeway (and very cleverly panicked and slammed on the accelerator instead of the brake upon impact - I'm fairly sure the other driver thought I was drunk or on drugs), and the second I backed into our garage door as it was not yet open all the way yet. *face palm*. I averaged about 7 hours of sleep per night, which actually isn't too bad. I also only had one sick day off work - pretty good actually! Hubby has taken over most of the cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping, for which I am very grateful and loving.
Rationale: According to babycentre.com, throughout pregnancy, but especially in the first trimester, your body works tremendously hard. You're making the placenta, your baby's life-support system, a process that won't be complete until the end of the first trimester. And your hormone levels and metabolism are rapidly changing, while your blood sugar and blood pressure tend to be lower, all contributing to fatigue. Hormonal changes – in particular, a dramatic rise in progesterone – are at least partly to blame. It's also hard to get a good night's sleep if you're uncomfortable or getting up to use the bathroom frequently. The University of Rochester says that it's because blood volume increases to supply the developing placenta and fetal circulation, your heart pumps faster and stronger, resulting in faster pulse and breathing rates.
2. Pregmentia. Perhaps related to point one above - but I'm convinced my IQ level dropped at least 20 points during the first trimester. I would find myself at work, staring at the computer, thinking "why is this taking so long? This used to be so EASY!". I would have trouble being eloquent. I would want to crawl under the desk and fall asleep almost every day. Apparently, none of my colleagues noticed so that's a positive (unless it means I haven't really been firing on all neural cylinders at work, EVER, would be a terrible thing).
3. Constipation. That's all I really want to say about this matter, except for that prune juice is DISGUSTING. No wonder it never turns up in a cocktail.
Rationale: Again, according to babycentre.com and webmd.com, about 30 to 40 per cent of pregnant women get constipated at some point. The culprits are the pressure of your growing uterus on your rectum, and the muscle contractions that normally move food through your intestines slow down because of higher levels of the hormone progesterone. Some iron pills can also make constipation worse.
4. Boob action. WHOSE BOOBS ARE THESE? This was such an early symptom for me. They were pretty much immediately tender, sore, and huge. I have been in a maternity bra 24/7 since week 6. Typically during the day they don't bother me, but whenever someone hugs me = agony, and finding a comfortable position to sleep in is tough. Clearly, I am a tummy sleeper. Additionally, NO ONE ever told me that they would be so ridiculously, incredibly, socially-inappropriately, itchy. And, (TMI warning) the nipples are huge and a completely different colour and er, flaky. At Week 6!
Rationale: Webmd.com says breast tenderness is triggered by hormonal changes, which are preparing your milk ducts to feed your baby.
5. Feed me. My capacity for eating is wondrous and should be studied for medical science. It's like there is a black hole where my stomach should be, and my sense of satiety left the building as soon as Baby moved in.
6. Tummy thickening. I woke up one morning and my waist has disappeared. I had not yet "popped" and certainly did not look pregnant - just that I had gained 3 kilos, all in the one concentrated area. I don't know why, stupidity perhaps, but I thought the lovely pregnant belly began pretty much straight away and I would look like the women in pregnancy advertisements. Clearly, that is not the case, as I now just look like a tree trunk.
7. Itchiness. In week 12/13, I was suddenly overtaken by crazy-making, intense, take-a-fork-to-your-body itching. It would keep me up at night, wake me up from sleep, and make me utterly miserable and utterly bitchy. It's the only time this whole pregnancy so far that I've been moody and mean to hubby. I almost wanted to hospitalise myself one night so they could put me in a coma to deal with the itchiness. We made an emergency run to the chemist, where I bought the entire range of dermaveen products, and the only antihistamine that's Category A for pregnant women (polaramine). It lasted two or three days, but not before I had to cancel a few social engagements due to my constant scratching. I now also maniacally and religiously slather myself in moisturising cream from head to toe.
Rationale: Turns out, during pregnancy it's not uncommon to feel itchy, particularly around your growing belly and breasts as your skin stretches to accommodate them. Hormonal changes may also be partly to blame. Itchiness is also commonly caused by an increase in the body's blood volume, as well as increased sweating, and sensitivity to soaps and other products.
8. Rapidly declining fitness levels. I used to be fit. Really I did. Okay, not ultra-fit, triathlon competing Iron woman fit but I could certainly get through my days with energy and oomph. Being pregnant, however, I found myself getting absolutely puffed climbing one flight of stairs, or walking from car to office, or dancing one song. It was all a bit embarrassing.
Rationale: Again, it's due to your blood volume increasing - in the first trimester blood volume increases about 50% - so the heart has to work harder to pump it around.
Overall, I've been very lucky with this first trimester and have been able to achieve goals at work, at dancing, and in my personal life. I competed in a dance competition and came first in Victoria in my division (in my 10th week of pregnancy) and third in choreography and fourth overall in the national competition (in my 11th week). I'm pretty proud of that, given all of the above (the itchy boobs in my sparkly costume was fairly hard)! I haven't really had morning sickness, only feeling nauseous when I let myself get really hungry (which is not very often!).
My favourite parts of pregnancy so far? Before we told anyone, it was all about the special little secret Hubby and I had, that no one knew about. It was just between us, and it was adorable having this little secret club of three for a few short weeks. We have grown even closer and more loving during this trimester, and I am constantly reminded by all my symptoms that I am busily creating our happily ever after. It's an amazing feeling, knowing you are creating and nurturing life inside your body. Often, I would stop and marvel with joy and wonderment that I am growing a human being. All the symptoms just fade off into the distance.. I used to feel anxious before performing and competing in dance, but this time, I was fairly zen, thinking, "I'm creating life! What's more important than THAT?! Who cares if I stuff up or don't win?" I'm enjoying this wonderful journey that life has allowed to embark on, and twee as it sounds, it really does feel like I was made for this!
Bring on the second trimester!
Here I will chronicle the symptoms that I personally experienced - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's different for every Mum - but hopefully it prepares someone out there! If not, then I have more things for baby to be embarrassed about once he or she is in the world. And public service warning right now - this is likely to be WAY too much information for most of you to want to know about me. Perhaps just try and depersonalise the information, hmmmmm?
FIRST TRIMESTER SYMPTOMS (roughly in order):
1. Fatigue. That one word doesn't adequately describe the bone-crushing, spirit-sapping, IQ-lowering, level of sheer and utter EXHAUSTION that I felt at times. Baby was still under the size of a lime but OH EM GEE I'm not sure what Baby was doing in there to use up all of Mummy's energy. Running miniature foetus marathons whilst concurrently being POTUS (President Of The UteruS) perhaps. In weeks 7 and 8 I had two car accidents due to being tired- one I ran up the back of another car whilst coming off the Eastern freeway (and very cleverly panicked and slammed on the accelerator instead of the brake upon impact - I'm fairly sure the other driver thought I was drunk or on drugs), and the second I backed into our garage door as it was not yet open all the way yet. *face palm*. I averaged about 7 hours of sleep per night, which actually isn't too bad. I also only had one sick day off work - pretty good actually! Hubby has taken over most of the cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping, for which I am very grateful and loving.
Rationale: According to babycentre.com, throughout pregnancy, but especially in the first trimester, your body works tremendously hard. You're making the placenta, your baby's life-support system, a process that won't be complete until the end of the first trimester. And your hormone levels and metabolism are rapidly changing, while your blood sugar and blood pressure tend to be lower, all contributing to fatigue. Hormonal changes – in particular, a dramatic rise in progesterone – are at least partly to blame. It's also hard to get a good night's sleep if you're uncomfortable or getting up to use the bathroom frequently. The University of Rochester says that it's because blood volume increases to supply the developing placenta and fetal circulation, your heart pumps faster and stronger, resulting in faster pulse and breathing rates.
2. Pregmentia. Perhaps related to point one above - but I'm convinced my IQ level dropped at least 20 points during the first trimester. I would find myself at work, staring at the computer, thinking "why is this taking so long? This used to be so EASY!". I would have trouble being eloquent. I would want to crawl under the desk and fall asleep almost every day. Apparently, none of my colleagues noticed so that's a positive (unless it means I haven't really been firing on all neural cylinders at work, EVER, would be a terrible thing).
3. Constipation. That's all I really want to say about this matter, except for that prune juice is DISGUSTING. No wonder it never turns up in a cocktail.
Rationale: Again, according to babycentre.com and webmd.com, about 30 to 40 per cent of pregnant women get constipated at some point. The culprits are the pressure of your growing uterus on your rectum, and the muscle contractions that normally move food through your intestines slow down because of higher levels of the hormone progesterone. Some iron pills can also make constipation worse.
4. Boob action. WHOSE BOOBS ARE THESE? This was such an early symptom for me. They were pretty much immediately tender, sore, and huge. I have been in a maternity bra 24/7 since week 6. Typically during the day they don't bother me, but whenever someone hugs me = agony, and finding a comfortable position to sleep in is tough. Clearly, I am a tummy sleeper. Additionally, NO ONE ever told me that they would be so ridiculously, incredibly, socially-inappropriately, itchy. And, (TMI warning) the nipples are huge and a completely different colour and er, flaky. At Week 6!
Rationale: Webmd.com says breast tenderness is triggered by hormonal changes, which are preparing your milk ducts to feed your baby.
5. Feed me. My capacity for eating is wondrous and should be studied for medical science. It's like there is a black hole where my stomach should be, and my sense of satiety left the building as soon as Baby moved in.
6. Tummy thickening. I woke up one morning and my waist has disappeared. I had not yet "popped" and certainly did not look pregnant - just that I had gained 3 kilos, all in the one concentrated area. I don't know why, stupidity perhaps, but I thought the lovely pregnant belly began pretty much straight away and I would look like the women in pregnancy advertisements. Clearly, that is not the case, as I now just look like a tree trunk.
7. Itchiness. In week 12/13, I was suddenly overtaken by crazy-making, intense, take-a-fork-to-your-body itching. It would keep me up at night, wake me up from sleep, and make me utterly miserable and utterly bitchy. It's the only time this whole pregnancy so far that I've been moody and mean to hubby. I almost wanted to hospitalise myself one night so they could put me in a coma to deal with the itchiness. We made an emergency run to the chemist, where I bought the entire range of dermaveen products, and the only antihistamine that's Category A for pregnant women (polaramine). It lasted two or three days, but not before I had to cancel a few social engagements due to my constant scratching. I now also maniacally and religiously slather myself in moisturising cream from head to toe.
Rationale: Turns out, during pregnancy it's not uncommon to feel itchy, particularly around your growing belly and breasts as your skin stretches to accommodate them. Hormonal changes may also be partly to blame. Itchiness is also commonly caused by an increase in the body's blood volume, as well as increased sweating, and sensitivity to soaps and other products.
8. Rapidly declining fitness levels. I used to be fit. Really I did. Okay, not ultra-fit, triathlon competing Iron woman fit but I could certainly get through my days with energy and oomph. Being pregnant, however, I found myself getting absolutely puffed climbing one flight of stairs, or walking from car to office, or dancing one song. It was all a bit embarrassing.
Rationale: Again, it's due to your blood volume increasing - in the first trimester blood volume increases about 50% - so the heart has to work harder to pump it around.
Overall, I've been very lucky with this first trimester and have been able to achieve goals at work, at dancing, and in my personal life. I competed in a dance competition and came first in Victoria in my division (in my 10th week of pregnancy) and third in choreography and fourth overall in the national competition (in my 11th week). I'm pretty proud of that, given all of the above (the itchy boobs in my sparkly costume was fairly hard)! I haven't really had morning sickness, only feeling nauseous when I let myself get really hungry (which is not very often!).
My favourite parts of pregnancy so far? Before we told anyone, it was all about the special little secret Hubby and I had, that no one knew about. It was just between us, and it was adorable having this little secret club of three for a few short weeks. We have grown even closer and more loving during this trimester, and I am constantly reminded by all my symptoms that I am busily creating our happily ever after. It's an amazing feeling, knowing you are creating and nurturing life inside your body. Often, I would stop and marvel with joy and wonderment that I am growing a human being. All the symptoms just fade off into the distance.. I used to feel anxious before performing and competing in dance, but this time, I was fairly zen, thinking, "I'm creating life! What's more important than THAT?! Who cares if I stuff up or don't win?" I'm enjoying this wonderful journey that life has allowed to embark on, and twee as it sounds, it really does feel like I was made for this!
Bring on the second trimester!
Pregmentia / baby brain
I like to think of myself as generally fairly intelligent. However, since being preggers, I have been saying some spectacularly idiotic things. Herewith documented for posterity and shaming purposes (I'm sure I'll be adding to this on a regular basis):
1. Scenario: Week 14. Chatting whilst walking the dogs.
Hubby: What was the name of that event? It sounded like Portuguese.
Pregnant woman/me: That makes sense - they're going to Puerto Rico soon.
Hubby: Ahahaha. You are adorable and I love you sooo much.
Pregnant woman/me: Wait what? I meant Puerto Rican! Where do they speak
Puerto Rican?
Hubby: Ahahahahahaha.
Note: They speak Spanish in Puerto Rico - I know this. They speak Portuguese mostly in Portugal and Brazil - I also know this. I just, um, forgot.
2. Scenario: Week 15. I am trying to explain 4D ultrasound scans of the Baby to Hubby. Lunchtime.
Hubby: What's the difference between 3D and 4D?
Pregnant woman/me: Well, you know we have 5 senses - smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing, so it's just one more the senses!
(I must note here, that I was ADAMANT and so CONVINCING in my argument. To my credit, I realised I was being a royal dumbass within seconds).
Note: I KNOW that the 'd' in 3D and 4D stands for dimensions. I have known this since primary school. Anyway, brainfarts aside - 3D images are used to show you three dimensional external images. What 4D ultrasound brings to the table is that as the image is continuously updated, it becomes a moving image, like a movie.
3. Scenario: Week 16. At a work lunch.
Colleague: You mix the icecream with the dry ingredients and then you just bake it! Easy and delicious!
Pregnant woman/ me: Doesn't the icecream melt?
Colleague: *facepalm
Note: Well, DER, of course I know that icecream melts in the oven! I just don't get the recipe!!!
1. Scenario: Week 14. Chatting whilst walking the dogs.
Hubby: What was the name of that event? It sounded like Portuguese.
Pregnant woman/me: That makes sense - they're going to Puerto Rico soon.
Hubby: Ahahaha. You are adorable and I love you sooo much.
Pregnant woman/me: Wait what? I meant Puerto Rican! Where do they speak
Puerto Rican?
Hubby: Ahahahahahaha.
Note: They speak Spanish in Puerto Rico - I know this. They speak Portuguese mostly in Portugal and Brazil - I also know this. I just, um, forgot.
2. Scenario: Week 15. I am trying to explain 4D ultrasound scans of the Baby to Hubby. Lunchtime.
Hubby: What's the difference between 3D and 4D?
Pregnant woman/me: Well, you know we have 5 senses - smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing, so it's just one more the senses!
(I must note here, that I was ADAMANT and so CONVINCING in my argument. To my credit, I realised I was being a royal dumbass within seconds).
Note: I KNOW that the 'd' in 3D and 4D stands for dimensions. I have known this since primary school. Anyway, brainfarts aside - 3D images are used to show you three dimensional external images. What 4D ultrasound brings to the table is that as the image is continuously updated, it becomes a moving image, like a movie.
3. Scenario: Week 16. At a work lunch.
Colleague: You mix the icecream with the dry ingredients and then you just bake it! Easy and delicious!
Pregnant woman/ me: Doesn't the icecream melt?
Colleague: *facepalm
Note: Well, DER, of course I know that icecream melts in the oven! I just don't get the recipe!!!