See the smile on my face? I’m feeling better!! The first 14 weeks were rough (actually, about the last 8 weeks). Why is this photo very dark, you ask? You can’t see the broken blood vessels in my neck & face from hurling my heart out of my chest just a few hours before the shot was taken. Ahhh, the joys of pregnancy! Nausea set in very early this pregnancy. Soon after, the dizziness followed. I happen to have very low blood pressure (a good thing!) along with low blood sugar which makes me faint from time to time. Fun, right? Not at all! Between the dizziness & the nausea, let’s just say I haven’t gained any weight yet. In fact, somehow I’ve managed to lose several pounds. It could be due to the fact that I can’t even cook let alone smell foods that are cooking. Most foods, anyway. So much for this high-protein diet. Everything I strive to attain in a healthy pregnancy is out the window for me until the first trimester is over. No worries, I know I will be eating healthy, whole foods other than not-so-whole-grain carbs soon enough. That’s just how my pregnancies are.
An odd symptom I’ve had this time that wasn’t present in my other pregnancies: itchy scalp. No dandruff, no flakes, no redness…nothing. Just a really burning, itchy head. Weird, I know. (Perhaps even more weird is that I’m sharing this with the world.)
Some good news…my fatigue is starting to turn into energy! All these crazy, organized thoughts constantly running through my head are being put to good use. For eight weeks I sat around a lot, unable to do what I wanted to do. Now I can actually get things done! Wahoo!! This means I can begin yoga again, start my exercises to ready my body for birth (we use The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth & highly recommend it to those of you seeking a natural birth) & stay in shape!
One more thing I find fascinating the third time around, my belly popped even sooner this time. The first time I was showing by 16/18 weeks. The second time, maybe 13/14 weeks. This time? 11/12 weeks. That could mean I’m growing another very large baby, or simply that my body was ready. Amazing that our bodies remember exactly what to do & expand accordingly.
I try not to complain. In fact, that may be the end of my moaning & groaning. Sure, my fingernails may be stronger & my skin better-than-ever, but I’m hugging the porcelain god nearly every morning for 8 weeks as if I were in college, I cry at the drop of a hat, I have to sit down quickly when I start to blackout before I pass out on my children & I look like a piece of work when I’m digging & scratching at my head in public places. Disgusting. But, WAIT! I am doing something that many women would kill to do. I am creating LIFE! Therefore, the yuck that comes along with it is for the BEST reason. Luckily, I know the end result & oh boy, is it ever worth it!!
I’m going to be very detailed in my journaling. There are times, like today, that you may think, “Uhh, that’s a little TMI!”. I want to put it out there for other women experiencing the same thing. The interweb is perfect for searching for pregnancy ailments and woes. I just want to give women a sounding board so they can justify that there are people experiencing what they’re going through. Makes us feel that much better to have a posse behind us, doesn’t it?
Those of you having a rough time, it doesn’t last forever. Statistically, we should be feeling better by the second trimester or about 12-14 weeks. That is encouraging, no? Those of you who have perfect, unflawed pregnancies…GO AWAY! We don’t like you. We don’t want to hear about your easy pregnanies, labors & deliveries. You’re not welcome here. (Mom, that means YOU!) *joking, only joking. Read on & dwell in your awesomeness.
I am now into my 2nd trimester & thinking this may be the end of the pregnancy blahs. I may actually be feeling great from here on out! The vote is still out. To be continued…
Tags: Bradley Method, breathe, challenges, Children, Family, first trimester, life, Moderation, natural childbirth, passion, philosophy, pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms, pregnancy woes, second trimester, stay-at-home mom
